The main Hermès Picotin sizes are the Picotin 14 (Micro), 18, 22, 26 and 31, each named for its approximate width in centimetres. The 18 is the everyday favourite, the 22 is the practical choice if you carry a full wallet and a sunglasses case, and the 14 is a charming accessory for the barest essentials. Most people end up choosing between the 18 and the 22.
The Picotin looks simple, a leather bucket with two handles, and that simplicity hides some real differences between the Hermès Picotin sizes. Because it is a cylinder that widens and softens with use, a few centimetres change capacity far more than they would on a structured bag. Here is how each size behaves in daily life.
Hermès Picotin sizes at a glance
The Picotin borrows its name and shape from the stables: a picotin is a measure of oats for a horse, and the bag recalls the bucket that held it. Today's version is the Picotin Lock, which adds a leather strap across the opening fastened with a small padlock. The table gives the measurements most often published for each size. Treat them as approximate, because heights are measured to the top of the body without handles, soft leathers settle over time, and sizes vary slightly by season.
| Size | Width | Height (body) | Depth | What fits | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picotin 14 (Micro) | about 14 cm (5.5 in) | about 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in) | about 10 cm (3.9 in) | Card holder, keys, lipstick, earbuds | Evenings, a second bag, collectors |
| Picotin 18 | about 18 cm (7.1 in) | about 18 to 20 cm (7.1 to 7.9 in) | about 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in) | Phone, small wallet, keys, sunglasses in a soft pouch, lipstick | Petite frames, light packers, weekends |
| Picotin 22 | about 22 cm (8.7 in) | about 22 to 23 cm (8.7 to 9.1 in) | about 17 to 18 cm (6.7 to 7.1 in) | Long wallet, sunglasses case, phone, small pouch, a paperback | Daily use on most heights |
| Picotin 26 | about 26 cm (10.2 in) | about 26 to 29 cm (10.2 to 11.4 in) | about 21 to 22 cm (8.3 to 8.7 in) | A day's essentials plus a scarf or light layer | Taller frames, errands, travel days |
| Picotin 31 | about 31 cm (12.2 in) | about 31 to 34 cm (12.2 to 13.4 in) | about 24 to 25 cm (9.4 to 9.8 in) | Tote-like capacity | Anyone who wants a relaxed carry-all |
Picotin 14 (Micro)
Dimensions: about 14 x 13 to 14 x 10 cm (5.5 x 5.1 to 5.5 x 3.9 in). Best for: evenings, a second bag inside a tote, and collectors.
The Micro is the Picotin as a jewel. It holds a card holder, keys and a lipstick, and depending on your phone, it may hold that too, though a larger model will stand upright and peek over the rim. Treat it as an accessory rather than your only bag. Its charm is that it shrinks every Picotin detail, lock and handles included, without losing the proportion.
Because it is so small, the Micro is often made in playful finishes. Our pre-owned Picotin Lock 14 Micro in cream leather with a green floral print is a good example of how the size carries a pattern that would feel busy on a larger bag.
Picotin 18
Dimensions: about 18 x 18 to 20 x 13 to 14 cm (7.1 x 7.1 to 7.9 x 5.1 to 5.5 in). Best for: petite frames, light packers and weekend errands.
The 18 is the most popular Picotin size, and you can see why the moment you carry one. It sits neatly in the hand, it reads as polished with tailoring and relaxed with knitwear, and it holds the essentials of a modern day: phone, small wallet, keys, sunglasses and a lipstick. A hard glasses case is the item that usually tips it over the edge.
Colour is where the 18 shines, because the bucket shape shows off a whole panel of leather. The pre-owned Picotin Lock 18 in orange Taurillon Clemence with palladium hardware is the house's signature colour on its most approachable bag, while the pre-owned Picotin Lock 18 in navy blue leather with gold hardware is a quieter choice that works with almost everything.
Picotin 22
Dimensions: about 22 x 22 to 23 x 17 to 18 cm (8.7 x 8.7 to 9.1 x 6.7 to 7.1 in). Best for: daily use on most heights, and anyone who carries a long wallet.
The 22 looks only a little larger than the 18, but on published measurements it holds close to twice as much. That is the cylinder at work: a few extra centimetres of width, height and depth multiply together. A long wallet, a sunglasses case, a phone and a small pouch all go in, and you can still find your keys.
Some listings, including ours, describe this middle size as a 23. Our pre-owned Picotin Lock in Blue Paon Clemence leather is that size, and its deep teal shows how Clemence relaxes into soft folds at the sides once it has been carried.
Hermès Picotin 18 vs 22: which should you buy?
This is the question we are asked most, and the answer comes down to three things.
What you carry
If your daily kit is a phone, card holder and keys, the 18 is right and the 22 will feel empty, which makes the leather slump. If you carry a full wallet, glasses in a hard case, or anything for children, choose the 22.
Your frame and the way you hold it
The Picotin has two short flat handles and no strap. The 18 is carried in the hand. The 22 can sit in the crook of the arm, which many people find more comfortable over a long day. On a petite frame the 18 looks balanced, while on someone tall it can read as a small accessory, which may be exactly what you want.
Leather
Clemence is the classic Picotin leather: heavy, soft and slouchy, so the bag widens and lowers as it ages. Smoother leathers such as Swift keep a neater, more upright outline but show scratches. A Clemence 18 that has softened over years can feel almost as roomy as a crisp 22 in a firmer leather, so judge the bag in front of you, not just its number.
Picotin 26 and Picotin 31
Dimensions: Picotin 26 about 26 x 26 to 29 x 21 to 22 cm (10.2 x 10.2 to 11.4 x 8.3 to 8.7 in); Picotin 31 about 31 x 31 to 34 x 24 to 25 cm (12.2 x 12.2 to 13.4 x 9.4 to 9.8 in). Best for: taller frames, errands, and a relaxed tote alternative.
The larger sizes behave like soft totes. They are comfortable on the forearm and take a scarf, a light layer and the day's essentials, but the open top means you will want a zipped pouch inside. They are less common on the pre-owned market than the 18 and 22.
Care and buying pre-owned: what to check
The Picotin is unlined, so the inside is simply the reverse of the leather. That is part of its appeal and its weak point: pens, make-up and wet umbrellas mark it easily. A felt organiser keeps the interior clean and stops a soft Clemence base from sagging into a pancake shape over time.
When buying pre-owned, look at the base edges first, because a bucket bag is set down constantly and the rim of the base takes the rubbing. Then check the handles for darkening, the lock strap for deep creases where it folds, and whether the padlock, keys and clochette are present. Look at the shape from the side: some slouch is normal in Clemence, but a bag that has collapsed inwards at the top has usually been stored badly.
The blind stamp gives the production year, and our Hermès date stamps year chart explains how to read it, though stamps can be copied and are never proof on their own. Our sourcing and authenticity page explains how we assess each piece before it is listed.
If you are deciding between an open bucket and something more structured, our piece on tote or top handle may help. And if the Picotin has you thinking about its bigger sisters, read our guides to Birkin sizes and Hermès Kelly sizes.
Shop the look
Hermès Picotin Lock 14 Micro in Cream Leather with Green Floral Print and Palladium Hardware- Hermès Picotin Lock 18 in Orange Taurillon Clemence Leather with Palladium Hardware
Hermès Picotin Lock 18 in Navy Blue Hammered Leather with Gold Hardware
Hermès Picotin Lock 23 in Blue Paon Clemence Leather
Hermès Picotin Lock 18 in Pink Hammered Leather with Silver Hardware
Hermès Picotin Lock 18 in Taupe Hammered Leather with Gold Hardware
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular Picotin size?
The Picotin 18 is the most popular, followed closely by the 22. The 18 suits light packers and smaller frames, while the 22 suits anyone who carries a full wallet.
Does a phone fit in a Picotin 18?
Yes, most current phones fit comfortably in the 18, alongside a small wallet and keys. In the 14 Micro, a larger phone may stand upright and show above the rim.
Is the Picotin a good everyday bag?
Yes, especially in Clemence, which is durable and forgiving. The open top is the main compromise, so keep valuables in a zipped pouch and use the lock strap in crowds.
Can you wear a Picotin on the shoulder?
Not really. The Picotin has short handles and no strap. The 18 is carried in the hand, and the 22 and larger sizes can be worn in the crook of the arm.
What does the number mean in a Hermès Picotin size?
The number is the approximate width of the bag in centimetres. A Picotin 22 is about 22 cm across, and its height is similar.
Whichever of the Hermès Picotin sizes suits you, the bag is one of the most easy-going ways to carry Hermès every day. Browse our Hermès collection to compare sizes and colours side by side.
