The Hermès Lindy comes in four sizes you will meet regularly: the Lindy Mini at about 19 to 20 cm, then the Lindy 26, Lindy 30 and Lindy 34, each named for its approximate width in centimetres. The 26 is the easy everyday size, the 30 is the one most people end up carrying, and the 34 is a work and weekend bag. The Mini is a crossbody for essentials only.
Numbers tell only half the story with this bag. The Lindy is soft, it folds in on itself when you carry it by the handles, and those handles are fixed to the sides rather than the top, so it behaves very differently from a Birkin or Kelly of the same width. Below you will find the commonly published dimensions, a size-by-size guide, and the details we look at before a pre-owned Lindy is offered to a client.
Hermès Lindy sizes at a glance
The Lindy arrived in 2007 and is credited to the designer Frédéric Vidal, who wanted a bag that hung comfortably from the hand instead of holding two handles rigidly upright. Every Lindy Hermès has made since then shares the same architecture: a rounded barrel body, a zip running across the top, an open pocket at each end, two rolled handles stitched to the sides, and a detachable shoulder strap. Only the scale changes.
The measurements below are the ones most often published. Treat them as approximate: these bags are cut and sewn by hand, a slouchy Clemence body settles differently from finer-grained Evercolor, and sizes vary slightly by season.
| Size | Width | Height | Depth | What fits comfortably | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindy Mini | about 19 to 20 cm (7.5 to 7.9 in) | about 13 cm (5.1 in) | about 9 cm (3.5 in) | Phone, card holder, keys, a lipstick | Evenings, travel days, a second bag |
| Lindy 26 | about 26 cm (10.2 in) | about 19 cm (7.5 in) | about 14 cm (5.5 in) | Compact wallet, phone, sunglasses in a case, keys, a small pouch | Petite frames, light packers, daily city use |
| Lindy 30 | about 30 cm (11.8 in) | about 19 to 20 cm (7.5 to 7.9 in) | about 16 cm (6.3 in) | All of the above plus a long wallet, a paperback, a scarf and a slim bottle | Most heights, the all-round size |
| Lindy 34 | about 34 cm (13.4 in) | about 20 to 21 cm (7.9 to 8.3 in) | about 18 cm (7.1 in) | A small tablet, a cosmetics case, documents folded once, a light layer | Workdays, weekends away, taller frames |
One thing the table cannot show: because the body is a curved barrel, the usable space is smaller at the ends and generous in the middle. Long, flat objects are the real test. A Lindy that looks big enough on paper can still refuse a rigid folder, while it will swallow a soft jumper without complaint.
Every Lindy size in detail
Lindy Mini (the Hermès Mini Lindy)
Dimensions: about 19 to 20 cm wide, 13 cm tall and 9 cm deep (7.5 to 7.9 x 5.1 x 3.5 in). Best for: evenings, holidays and anyone who leaves the house with a phone and two cards.
The Mini Lindy is a later addition to the family, and you will see it listed as a Mini Lindy 19 or Lindy 20 depending on who measured it. Everything is there in miniature: the zip, the end pockets, the side handles. The difference is the strap, which is long enough to wear crossbody, and that is how most owners carry it.
Be realistic about capacity. A large phone fits, but it goes in lengthways along the zip, and the end pockets will take a lip balm and not much more. What the Lindy Mini gives you in exchange is a shape that looks considered rather than shrunken, which is not true of every miniature. It is usually made in smoother, lighter leathers that suit its scale, and a pale shade such as our pre-owned Hermès Mini Lindy 20 in Milkshake White with gold hardware shows how bright and summery the small size can look.
Lindy 26
Dimensions: about 26 cm wide, 19 cm tall and 14 cm deep (10.2 x 7.5 x 5.5 in). Best for: petite frames and minimalists who want a true day bag without bulk.
The 26 is the size we recommend most often to people who are torn between the Mini and the 30. It holds a proper day: a compact wallet, a phone, sunglasses in their case, keys and a small pouch, with an A5 notebook or a paperback lying flat on top. On the shoulder strap it sits neatly at the hip, and carried by the handles it reads as a small, relaxed bag rather than a statement.
The main limitation is the end pockets, which are just short of comfortable for a large phone in a case. If you live out of those pockets, size up.
Lindy 30
Dimensions: about 30 cm wide, 19 to 20 cm tall and 16 cm deep (11.8 x 7.5 to 7.9 x 6.3 in). Best for: almost everyone, from the office to the weekend.
The 30 is the classic Lindy size for a reason. It carries everything a full day asks for, including a long wallet, a light scarf and a slim water bottle, yet it still drapes nicely from the hand. The end pockets finally take a phone with room to spare, and that small detail changes daily life: you reach the phone without opening the zip.
On frames from roughly 155 cm upwards it looks balanced in every carry. If you only ever own one Lindy, this is the safest choice, and it is also the size that tends to be easiest to find on the pre-owned market.
Lindy 34
Dimensions: about 34 cm wide, 20 to 21 cm tall and 18 cm deep (13.4 x 7.9 to 8.3 x 7.1 in). Best for: workdays, overnight trips and taller frames.
The 34 is where the Lindy becomes a working bag. A small tablet, a cosmetics case, a folded jumper and a day's paperwork all go in. One honest caveat: an A4 folder will lie along the length, but the curved top means it bends slightly, and a 13-inch laptop is ambitious. If you carry a laptop daily, a structured tote is kinder to it.
Full, a 34 in Clemence leather is not light. Most owners switch to the shoulder strap for longer walks, which is exactly what the strap is for.
Larger and rarer formats
Larger travel versions of the Lindy have appeared over the years, but they are seldom seen on the resale market today. If you find one, judge it as a weekend bag rather than an everyday piece, and check the base and strap fittings with extra care, because a big Lindy carries a great deal of weight through a few small points.
How the Lindy carries, compared with a Birkin or Kelly
The genius of the Lindy is the handle placement. Hold both handles together and the bag folds into a soft smile shape; slip it into the crook of your arm and it hugs the body; clip on the strap and it becomes a shoulder or crossbody bag. Few Hermès bags are this easy to live with.
Compare that with the Birkin and Kelly. Both are structured, both close with a flap and straps, and both need two hands to open. If you are weighing a Lindy 30 against a Birkin 30, our guide to Birkin sizes explains how much more rigid and formal the Birkin feels at the same width, and our Kelly sizes guide covers the house's other great structured bag. For a smaller, open-topped option, the Picotin sizes guide sets out the 14, 18 and 22, and a pre-owned Picotin Lock 18 in Gold leather is a good example of how casual Hermès can be.
The closest relative in spirit is the Evelyne, another relaxed, strap-led design. Our pre-owned Evelyne 29 in black Clemence is worth a look if you want hands-free wear above all else; the Lindy wins when you also want to carry a bag by hand.
Choosing the right leather for your Lindy
Leather changes a Lindy more than it changes most Hermès bags, because the design depends on drape.
- Clemence: the classic choice. Heavy, slouchy, with a large flat grain that hides scratches. It gives the most relaxed silhouette, and over years the body softens further.
- Evercolor: finer grain, lighter in the hand, holds its shape better. A good pick for the 34 if weight worries you.
- Swift: smooth, with rich, saturated colour. It shows scratches and marks more readily, which some owners love as character and others find stressful.
- Togo: slightly firmer than Clemence, so the Lindy stands a little prouder and slumps less.
Some seasons also bring two-tone versions with a contrasting interior, which add a flash of colour every time you open the zip.
Buying a pre-owned Hermès Lindy: what to check
A soft bag hides its history differently from a structured one. These are the points we examine on every pre-owned Lindy:
- The base and the rounded ends. The Lindy sits on a curved base, and the ends take knocks when it is put down. Look for rubbing on the edges and any darkening at the lowest points.
- The end pockets. Phones in bulky cases stretch them. A pocket that gapes open when empty has been overloaded for years.
- The zip. It should run smoothly along the whole length without catching at the corners, and the leather pull should be intact.
- The handles. Hand oils darken rolled handles, especially on pale leathers. Light darkening is normal; cracking along the edges is not.
- Shape. Slouch is the point of a Lindy, but deep creases or a crushed end usually mean poor storage. Our notes on how to store a designer bag so it survives a decade apply doubly to soft leathers.
- The strap. Check the clasps for worn plating and the strap edges for fraying paint.
- The blind stamp. The small stamped letter inside tells you the production year. Our Hermès date stamps year chart explains how to read it, but remember that stamps can be copied, so a stamp is one clue among many and never proof on its own.
Our sourcing and authenticity page explains how we inspect each piece before it is listed and what you receive with it.
Which Lindy size should you choose?
A simple way to decide is to empty your current bag on the table and look at the largest rigid item.
- If it is only a phone, choose the Lindy Mini.
- If it is a compact wallet or a paperback, choose the Lindy 26.
- If it is a long wallet or a bottle, choose the Lindy 30.
- If it is a tablet or folders, choose the Lindy 34.
Then think about how you carry. People who walk a lot and want their hands free often go one size smaller than they expected, because a crossbody Lindy that is too big swings against the hip. People who carry by hand can go one size larger, because the folding shape hides the bulk.
Shop the look
- Hermès Mini Lindy 20 in Milkshake White Hammered Leather with Gold Hardware
Hermès Picotin Lock 18 in Gold Hammered Leather with Gold Hardware
Hermès Evelyne 29 in Black Clemence Leather with Silver-Tone Hardware
Hermès Birkin 25 Vintage in Graphite Grey Shiny Crocodile with Gold Hardware
Hermès Birkin 30 in Noir Togo Leather with Gold Hardware
Hermès Kelly 25 Sellier in Smoke Grey and Blue Epsom Leather with Palladium Hardware
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular Hermès Lindy size?
The Lindy 30. It carries a full day's essentials, its end pockets take a phone, and it looks balanced on most heights, whether carried by hand or on the shoulder.
Can you wear the Lindy Mini crossbody?
Yes, that is how it is designed to be worn. Its strap is long enough to go across the body, and the bag sits at the hip. A large phone fits, though it goes in lengthways along the zip.
Is the Hermès Lindy practical for everyday use?
Very. The top zip keeps things secure, the end pockets give quick access, and the side handles let you carry it three ways. It is one of the most relaxed bags the house makes.
How can I tell the year a Lindy was made?
Look for the blind stamp inside the bag, a letter that corresponds to the year, sometimes in a shape for older pieces. It dates the bag but does not prove it is what it claims to be, so read it alongside the stitching, leather and hardware.
Does the Lindy hold its value?
Core Hermès models tend to resell well, and the Mini Lindy in particular is sought after. Condition, colour and leather matter a great deal. Our article on which designer bags actually hold their value explains what drives resale.
Whichever size suits you, the Lindy rewards the person who wants Hermès quality without formality. Browse our Hermès totes and shoulder bags for the Lindy and its relaxed relatives, or explore the full Hermès collection, new and pre-owned.
