Hermès Kelly sizes run from the slim Kelly Pochette and Mini Kelly 20 through the Kelly 25, 28, 32 and 35, up to the travel-scale 40 and beyond, each named for its approximate width in centimetres. The Kelly 28 is the most versatile everyday size, the 25 is the most sought after, and the 32 and 35 are the practical choices for work. Because a Kelly is slimmer than a Birkin, choose one size up from the Birkin you would pick if capacity matters to you.
That last point is the one most size charts miss. Two bags can share a number and still hold very different amounts, and the Kelly's single handle, closed flap and narrow depth all shape what it can do. Here are the Hermès Kelly bag sizes in turn, with the commonly published dimensions and what they mean in daily life.
Hermès Kelly sizes at a glance
The Kelly began life as the Sac à dépêches, a document bag, and came to be known by Grace Kelly's name after she was photographed carrying one in the 1950s. The silhouette has barely changed since: a trapezoid body, a single top handle, a flap held by two straps (the sangles) that pass through a turn-lock, and, on most sizes, a detachable shoulder strap. The table shows the Kelly dimensions most often published. They are approximate, because each bag is made by hand, Sellier and Retourne versions measure a little differently, and sizes vary slightly by season.
| Size | Width | Height | Depth | What fits | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Kelly 20 | about 20 cm (7.9 in) | about 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) | about 6 cm (2.4 in) | Card holder, keys, lipstick, a slim phone | Evenings, crossbody wear, collectors |
| Kelly 25 | about 25 cm (9.8 in) | about 17 to 18 cm (6.7 to 7.1 in) | about 7 to 8 cm (2.8 to 3.1 in) | Phone, card holder, keys, sunglasses in a soft pouch | Petite frames, light packers |
| Kelly 28 | about 28 cm (11 in) | about 22 cm (8.7 in) | about 10 to 11 cm (3.9 to 4.3 in) | Compact wallet, phone, keys, sunglasses case, small pouch | Most heights, daily use |
| Kelly 32 | about 32 cm (12.6 in) | about 23 cm (9.1 in) | about 11 to 12 cm (4.3 to 4.7 in) | Long wallet, small tablet, cosmetics case | Office days, taller frames |
| Kelly 35 | about 35 cm (13.8 in) | about 24 to 25 cm (9.4 to 9.8 in) | about 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) | A4 papers, tablet, scarf, full day's essentials | Work, travel days, a one-bag wardrobe |
| Kelly 40 | about 40 cm (15.7 in) | about 27 to 30 cm (10.6 to 11.8 in) | about 15 to 16 cm (5.9 to 6.3 in) | Overnight things, documents, a small laptop | Weekends away, men |
A useful rule of thumb from those numbers: on volume alone, a Kelly 28 holds roughly what a Birkin 25 does, and a Kelly 35 is closer to a Birkin 30 than to a Birkin 35. If you are comparing the two families, our guide to Birkin sizes from the 25 to the 40 uses the same measurements.
Mini Kelly 20 and Kelly Pochette
Dimensions: Mini Kelly about 20 x 12 to 13 x 6 cm (7.9 x 4.7 to 5.1 x 2.4 in); Pochette about 22 cm (8.7 in) wide and very slim. Best for: evenings, crossbody wear and collectors.
The Mini Kelly, often called the Mini Kelly II in its current form, is a perfectly scaled miniature with a long strap that lets it sit across the body. The Kelly Pochette is a different idea: a slim clutch with a small handle and no strap. Both are evening pieces first. A modern large phone may not fit flat in either, so measure yours before you fall for one.
Kelly 25
Dimensions: about 25 x 17 to 18 x 7 to 8 cm (9.8 x 6.7 to 7.1 x 2.8 to 3.1 in). Best for: petite frames, light packers, day-to-evening dressing.
The 25 is the size that rewrote demand for the Kelly. It looks precise and jewel-like, sits beautifully on the shoulder strap, and works on taller women as an accent piece rather than a carry-all. The catch is depth. At around 7 to 8 cm, a hard sunglasses case or a thick wallet will strain the flap, and a Kelly that will not close properly loses its shape quickly.
The Sellier version suits this size especially well, because the sharp exterior stitching keeps such a small bag crisp. Our pre-owned Kelly 25 Sellier in smoke grey and blue Epsom with palladium hardware shows how structured Epsom holds that outline.
Kelly 28
Dimensions: about 28 x 22 x 10 to 11 cm (11 x 8.7 x 3.9 to 4.3 in). Best for: everyday use on most heights, and a first Kelly.
Ask anyone who owns several and many will tell you the 28 is the one they reach for. It holds a compact wallet, phone, keys and a sunglasses case without bulging, it works by hand, in the crook of the arm or on the shoulder strap, and its proportions read as classic on almost every frame.
A neutral leather makes the 28 even more versatile. The pre-owned Kelly 28 in Gold leather with silver-tone hardware pairs the warm tan Hermès calls Gold with cooler metal, a combination that sits easily with both denim and tailoring.
Kelly 32
Dimensions: about 32 x 23 x 11 to 12 cm (12.6 x 9.1 x 4.3 to 4.7 in). Best for: office days, taller frames, anyone who carries a long wallet.
The 32 is where the Kelly becomes a working bag. A long wallet, a small tablet and a cosmetics case all fit, and the extra width makes it easier to get things in and out under the flap. It was a mainstream size for decades, so there are many to choose from pre-owned, often at a gentler price than the smaller sizes.
Retourne construction suits the 32 well: the bag is sewn inside out and turned, so the edges are rounded and the body relaxes with use. The pre-owned Kelly 32 Retourne in black leather with gold hardware is a good example of how soft and supple this version becomes.
Kelly 35
Dimensions: about 35 x 24 to 25 x 12 to 13 cm (13.8 x 9.4 to 9.8 x 4.7 to 5.1 in). Best for: work, travel days and a one-bag wardrobe.
The 35 takes A4 papers, a tablet, a scarf and the day's essentials. On a tall person it looks generous rather than oversized, and on the shoulder strap it carries more comfortably than its size suggests. Many vintage Kellys were made in this size, often in Box calf, which develops a glossy patina but marks easily in rain.
Our vintage Kelly 35 in red leather with gold-plated hardware is pre-owned and shows the slightly softer proportions and warm tone that draw collectors to older pieces.
Kelly 40 and the larger travel sizes
Dimensions: about 40 x 27 to 30 x 15 to 16 cm (15.7 x 10.6 to 11.8 x 5.9 to 6.3 in). Best for: weekends away and men.
The 40 is an overnight bag in Kelly form, and the house has made even larger travel versions over the years. These are rare and heavy, and most buyers who need this much room find a Birkin 40 or a soft travel bag more practical, because the Kelly's single handle carries the whole load.
How to choose between Kelly bag sizes
Measure depth, not just width
Width gives a Kelly its name, but depth decides what it holds. The flap has to close over your things, so lay out your daily contents and stack them. If the pile is deeper than the bag, go up a size or travel lighter.
Decide how you will carry it
From the 25 upward, most Kellys come with a detachable shoulder strap. On a 25 or 28 it sits at the hip or just above, and on some frames it can be worn crossbody. On a 32 or 35 the strap is a shoulder strap only. If you will mostly carry it by hand, remember the single handle takes all the weight, which favours lighter leathers such as Epsom or Swift in the larger sizes.
Sellier or Retourne
Sellier Kellys are stitched on the outside with sharp edges and a rigid body, the more formal of the two. Retourne Kellys are softer and rounder, with a slightly more relaxed silhouette. Same number, different personality: a Sellier 28 looks smaller and neater than a Retourne 28 beside it.
Buying a pre-owned Kelly: what to look at
Start with the handle. On a Kelly it carries everything, so check the stitching where it meets the body and whether it still holds its arch. Then look at the front edge of the flap, which is touched every time the bag is opened, and at the sangles, which crease where they fold through the turn-lock. On Sellier bags, check the edge paint along the seams for cracking, and on every size look at the four base corners and the feet, if there are any.
The blind stamp near the strap tells you the production year, and our Hermès date stamps year chart explains how to read it. Stamps can be copied, so treat them as one clue rather than proof. Storage matters too: never hang a Kelly by its handle for long periods, and keep it stuffed and upright, as we explain in how to store a designer bag so it survives a decade. For a smaller, more relaxed Hermès bag, see our guide to Picotin sizes.
Shop the look
Hermès Kelly 25 Sellier in Smoke Grey and Blue Epsom Leather with Palladium Hardware- Hermès Kelly 28 in Gold Leather with Silver-Tone Hardware
Hermès Kelly 32 Retourne in Black Hammered Leather with Gold Hardware
Vintage Hermès Kelly 35 in Red Leather with Gold-Plated Hardware
Hermès Birkin 25 Vintage in Graphite Grey Shiny Crocodile with Gold Hardware
Hermès Birkin 30 in Noir Togo Leather with Gold Hardware
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular Kelly size?
The 25 and 28 are the most sought after today. The 28 is the most versatile everyday size, while the 25 is in high demand because of its proportion and relative scarcity.
Is the Kelly 25 big enough for everyday use?
For a light packer, yes: phone, card holder, keys and sunglasses in a soft pouch. If you carry a full wallet or a hard glasses case, the 28 will be far more comfortable.
Which holds more, a Kelly or a Birkin of the same size?
A Birkin. It is deeper and is usually carried open, while a Kelly is slimmer and must close under its flap. On published dimensions, a Kelly 28 holds roughly what a Birkin 25 does.
Can you wear a Kelly crossbody?
The Mini Kelly is designed for it. On a 25, and sometimes a 28, the standard strap can work crossbody depending on your height. Larger Kellys are worn on the shoulder or carried by hand.
What do the numbers in Hermès Kelly sizes mean?
Each number is the approximate width of the bag in centimetres, measured along the base. A Kelly 32 is about 32 cm wide.
Hermès Kelly sizes are easiest to judge in person, so try the shape against your shoulder before you decide. Whichever size you choose, the Kelly rewards being carried. Browse our Hermès collection to compare Kelly sizes, leathers and constructions, new and pre-owned.
