What Size Backpack for Your Child's Age? A Parent's Guide
The right backpack size for a child depends on their body size, not just their grade. As a quick rule of thumb: preschoolers (ages 3-5) do best with an 11 to 12 inch backpack, kids in kindergarten through 2nd grade with a 14 to 16 inch pack, children in grades 3-5 with a 16 to 17 inch pack, and middle schoolers with a 17 to 18 inch backpack. A well-fitted pack sits about two inches below the shoulders and no lower than the top of the hips.
Kids' backpack size chart by age
| Age or grade | Backpack height | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Toddler and preschool (3-5) | 11-12 in | First backpacks, a change of clothes, a snack, a small book |
| Kindergarten to 2nd grade (5-8) | 14-16 in | Folders, a lunch box, library books |
| 3rd to 5th grade (8-11) | 16-17 in | Binders, a Chromebook or tablet, a lunch box |
| Middle school (11-14) | 17-18 in | A laptop, multiple binders, sports gear |
How to check the fit
- Width: The backpack should be about as wide as your child's torso, and never wider than their shoulders.
- Top: The top of the pack should sit about two inches below the tops of the shoulders.
- Bottom: The bottom should rest in the curve of the lower back, no more than about four inches below the waist.
- Straps: Look for wide, padded shoulder straps, and make sure your child always uses both. One-strap carrying pulls the spine to one side.
Don't forget the weight
Size and weight go together. A full backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 15 percent of your child's body weight. We break the numbers down in our companion guide: How heavy should a kid's backpack be?
Find the right size at Fenrici
- Toddler backpacks for ages 3 to 6
- Little kids' backpacks for preschool and kindergarten
- Kids' backpacks with padded laptop compartments
- 18 inch backpacks for older kids and teens
- Teen backpacks for middle and high school
- Adaptive backpacks for kids of all abilities, including wheelchair-friendly designs
- Matching backpack and lunch box sets
Frequently asked questions
What size backpack does a kindergartner need?
Most kindergartners (ages 5 to 6) do well with a 14 to 16 inch backpack. It holds a folder, a lunch box, and a library book without hanging past their hips.
Is an 18 inch backpack too big for elementary school?
For most elementary kids, 16 to 17 inches is the sweet spot. Save the 18 inch size for older kids and middle schoolers who carry a laptop and several binders.
How do I measure my child for a backpack?
Measure from the top of the shoulders to about two inches below the waistline. That is the ideal backpack height. Keep the width within your child's shoulders.
Every Fenrici backpack is built with a padded laptop compartment and a kid-proof warranty, and every order gives back to pediatric rare-disease research.