Guide to Hermès Birkin Bag Sizes

Choosing the right Hermès Birkin size is incredibly important. It’s about proportion, presence, and lifestyle. The right size bag elevates your wardrobe, reflects your style, and can even maximize long-term value.

Madison Avenue Couture offers the widest resale selection of Hermès Birkins in the United States. Choose from the most coveted styles in all sizes,  from the beloved Birkin 25 in exotic skins to the rare travel sizes in neutral shades. We’ve helped thousands of collectors acquire their dream bag with no waiting and no quotas.

In our complete Birkin bag size comparison guide, we’ll evaluate every major Birkin offering — from the ultra rare 20 to the HAC 50. Our Birkin size chart shows you the dimensions, weight, and what comfortably fits in each size. Whether you're investing in your first Birkin or expanding your collection, this guide was made for you.

Birkin Sizes at a Glance

Birkin bag sizes are named for the length of their base in centimeters, giving each size its own feel and function. Below, our Birkin bag size chart shows you each rendition’s dimensions in inches, estimated weights, and what each typically carries:

Birkin Bag Size Chart

*The weight of a Birkin bag varies depending on the leather from which it is made.

** Each Birkin bag’s storage capacity is influenced by whether the bag is crafted in the more flexible Retourne style, or the more structured Sellier construction. 

The Birkin 20: A Coveted Gem

The smallest Birkin bag size is the Birkin 20. This size is produced only in the Sellier style and is reserved for coveted styles like the Hermès Birkin Faubourg. The bag is meticulously crafted to replicate the iconic flagship boutique at 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. The exquisite bag has grown to rival the Birkin Himalaya in price on the resale market.

The Birkin 25: Petite Luxury, Big Impact

The Birkin 25 is the smallest size in regular production. Affectionately known as the “Baby Birkin,” it was introduced in 2004 in response to the growing demand for smaller Hermès bags on the Asian market. Subsequently, the “mini bag” trend spurred demand for smaller Birkins and Kellys worldwide. Today, the 25cm is the most popular Birkin size, often increasing dramatically in value on the secondary market. It is not uncommon to see some Birkin 25 styles resold for up to three times their original retail price.

The smallest size Birkin bag holds just the essentials, and the handle drop is 1inch shorter than that of the larger sizes. Due to this, it must be carried in-hand. The Birkin 25 transitions seamlessly from day to night and is the most popular size for use as an evening bag. A Baby Birkin in an exotic skin like crocodile or lizard can stun on any red carpet in the world. This Birkin bag size can be crafted in delicate leathers, like the supple Swift. However, a Sellier version also exists for the consumer who wants more structure. These more rigid renditions are offered in staple leathers like Box and Epsom, but also in exotics like alligator.

The Birkin 30: An Everyday Icon

Many consider the Birkin 30 to be the ideal Birkin bag size for everyday use. It represents the fashionable sweet spot between the “Baby Birkin” and the vast storage capacity of the larger 35. It is an utterly chic statement bag, perfect for work and personal excursions alike. This size Birkin can be comfortably worn over your forearm or in your hand. It holds your essentials and a few additional small items. Hand-crafted in Togo, Epsom, crocodile, or ostrich, the Birkin 30 is an elegant choice for most women, though larger than a true evening bag.

The Birkin 35: The Classic Original

The Birkin 35 is the original bag created in a chance meeting between Jane Birkin (who gave the iconic bag its name) and Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas. To many Hermès lovers, the 35 is the original, the first, the classic. Other sizes may fall in and out of popularity, but the 35cm Birkin is timeless.

Once the most popular Hermès Birkin size worldwide, the Birkin 35 has softened on the resale market among younger collectors. However, it still remains the bag of choice for those who carry a great deal more. It is a luxury tote bag that offers stylish solutions when you need a bit more space for your belongings. A sophisticated bag that can be carried on the forearm or by hand, it is important to mind that it can become heavy when full.

The Birkin 42: The “Shoulder Birkin”

Introduced in Fall/Winter 2004, the Birkin 42 is proportionately shorter and wider than other Birkin bags, offering a distinctive East/ West appeal. It has long rolled handles with a drop of 7 inches to comfortably slip over the shoulder. A coveted choice, the Shoulder Birkin’s rarity and practicality make it especially desirable among experienced Hermès collectors.

The Birkin Bag 40 and Beyond: Oversized Rarities

The Birkin 40 and Birkin 50 are handsome, luxurious leather carryalls that offer a feminine take on a beautiful travel bag. These spacious Birkin bag sizes carry your laptop, clothing, and more in addition to your daily essentials. The Birkin 40 is gaining popularity with men as a daily carryall, while most consumers prize both sizes for weekend getaways.

Often referred to as the “workhorse” Birkins, the largest Birkin bag sizes are crafted from robust and sturdy leathers like Togo and Clemence to maintain their shape despite the large scale. The Birkin HAC 50 often incorporates toile for both durability and lighter weight. Both bags are produced in limited quantities, their extreme scarcity driving their value on the secondary market. Both are highly desired by collectors, with the Birkin 40 in crocodile skin considered a Grail bag.

Which Birkin Size Matches Your Lifestyle?

The “best” Birkin bag size depends upon your needs and lifestyle. Many Hermès collectors include multiple sizes in their collections for different occasions. 

For minimalists, the Birkin 25 delivers maximum impact in a compact size. Chic, collectible, and evening-ready, this is currently the most highly sought Birkin bag size worldwide.

For everyday versatility, the Birkin 30 strikes the perfect balance. Elegant and practical, it transitions seamlessly from meetings to dinners and works for most daily activities.

For professionals and busy parents, the Birkin 35 offers room for documents, devices, and more. Once the most popular size worldwide, it remains a powerful statement and timeless carryall.

For travel or bold fashion statements, the Birkin 40 and 50 turn heads. These rare, oversized Birkins carry laptops, clothing, and style in equal measure: a luxe alternative to briefcases and weekender bags.

Birkin Sizes as an Investment

While all Birkin bags appreciate in value, size can significantly influence resale trends. The three most commonly collected sizes — 25, 30, and 35 — show different patterns of demand and pricing over time. In today's market, smaller Birkin bag sizes often yield the highest returns.

Comparative Growth:

Over the past decade, the Birkin 25 has surged in popularity, with primary retail prices rising from $9,400 in 2016 to $12,700 by mid-2025 in the U.S.  This constitutes an average increase of 35% when excluding premium materials or limited editions. Secondary market values for the Birkin 25 have climbed even more steeply, driven by demand among younger buyers and collectors in the broader Asian market.

Over this same time period, the Birkin 30 has climbed from $10,900 in 2016 to $13,900 by May 2025 — a 27.5% increase in U.S. retail Birkin bag price. Historically, this Birkin bag size enjoyed steady appreciation but has recently seen a sharper upward trend, potentially fueled by limited supply and surging popularity in the Western markets.

The Birkin 35, once the definitive size, has seen more modest but steady growth. From roughly $11,300 in 2022 to $13,300 in 2025, the increase reflects Hermès’ broader pricing adjustments rather than surging demand, as collector preference continues to lean toward smaller, lighter-weight Birkins.

Why Smaller Sizes Dominate:

As mini bags and smaller purses have dominated the luxury market over the past decade, the smaller Birkin bag sizes have commanded premium prices. The Birkin 25 in particular has become a cultural and collector icon, frequently featured on social media and in celebrity closets. It’s highly portable, elegant, and suits a range of personal styles. In this way, the Birkin 25 has become both practical and status-defining.

Special Orders and Exotic Leathers:

Regardless of size, special order Birkins (Horseshoe Stamp or HSS) and exotic Birkins in shiny crocodile or matte alligator command premium resale prices. In smaller sizes, these variations can fetch triple their retail cost. Collectors seeking investment-grade bags often prioritize size and rarity, a trend that favors the exotic and limited edition 25s and 30s.

Expert Tips for Choosing Your Perfect Birkin

Selecting the right Birkin for you goes beyond color and leather: it’s about how you live and dress, and what you carry. Let your lifestyle and wardrobe help guide your decision: if you travel light or favor evening looks, the Birkin 25 makes a chic statement; if you carry tech, files, or toddler snacks, the 30 or 35 may be a better fit.

Construction matters too. A Birkin Sellier offers sharp structure and formality, while the Retourne style brings a more casual and fluid silhouette that is forgiving of overstuffing.

Finally, think about your budget and resale goals. Smaller sizes and neutral shades tend to appreciate faster, especially in classic leathers like Togo and Epsom. To future‑proof your collection, opt for timeless hues, maintain the bag in pristine condition, and choose what truly speaks to you — today and 10 years from now.