Standard Laundry Basket Size & Dimensions (Chart in Inches)

Updated October 2026 · Size guide by Luxury Rattan Handicrafts

Below you'll find a full laundry basket size chart in inches and centimeters, how wide and how tall a basket really is, how to pick the right size for your home, and the exact measurements of our handwoven rattan laundry baskets and hampers so you can compare real products.

What Is the Standard Laundry Basket Size?

There is no official industry standard, but the size you'll see most often in US homes is the rectangular 1.5-bushel basket. Its typical standard laundry basket dimensions are:

• Length: about 24 inches (61 cm)
• Width (depth): about 17 inches (43 cm)
• Height: about 10–12 inches (25–30 cm)
• Capacity: about 1.5 bushels, or roughly 53 liters / 14 gallons

This size is popular because it holds one washer load and is still light enough to carry up and down stairs. Round and tall baskets are measured differently: by diameter and height instead of length and width.

Laundry Basket Size Chart (Inches & CM)

These are typical ranges, not fixed rules. Shape, handles and lids change the outer measurements, so always check product dimensions before you buy.

How Wide Is a Standard Laundry Basket?

A standard laundry basket is about 17–18 inches wide front to back and about 24 inches long side to side. When people ask about laundry basket width, they usually mean the shorter side, because that decides whether the basket fits between a washer and a wall, inside a closet, or beside a vanity.

• Compact basket width: 12–15 inches, fits beside a toilet or in a narrow closet
• Standard basket width: 16–18 inches
• Large basket width: 18–22 inches
• Round hamper diameter: 12–18 inches

Tip: leave 1–2 inches on each side of the space you measure so the basket slides in and out easily.

How Tall Is a Standard Laundry Basket or Hamper?

Height depends on whether you mean a carry basket or a standing hamper:

• Standard laundry basket height: 10–12 inches (25–30 cm). Low enough to see inside and carry comfortably.
• Standard hamper height: 24–26 inches (61–66 cm). This is the most common height for a bedroom or bathroom hamper.
• Tall hamper height: 26–30 inches. A tall, narrow hamper gives you capacity without a big footprint.
• Short hamper height: 14–18 inches, good for kids' rooms or under a shelf.

If your hamper has a lid and sits under a counter or shelf, add 3–4 inches above the listed height so the lid can open fully.

Xylander Wicker Hamper with Lid

18" x 14" x 24" H

Morrison Rattan Laundry Hamper

20" W x 13" D x 24" H

Harwin Rattan Laundry Basket

26" W x 14" D x 26" H

Standard Hamper Size & Laundry Hamper Dimensions

A standard hamper size is about 16–18 inches wide (or in diameter) and 24–26 inches tall, with a capacity of 2–3 bushels. Hampers are taller than baskets because they stand in one spot and collect clothes for several days.

What Does "Bushel" Mean for a Hamper?

Many hampers list capacity in bushels. One US bushel is about 35 liters (9.3 gallons). As a rough guide:

• 1.5 bushels (~53 L): about one medium washer load
• 2 bushels (~70 L): about a week of laundry for one person
• 2.5–3 bushels (~88–105 L): a week for a couple, or 2+ loads

Two hampers with the same bushel rating can still look very different. A tall, slim one and a short, wide one may hold the same amount, so always compare the actual inches with the space you have.

Real Laundry Basket Dimensions: Our Handwoven Baskets Compared

Here are the exact measurements of the handwoven rattan and wicker laundry baskets in our store. Use this table to see how a real basket compares with the standard sizes above.

Each piece is handwoven, so measurements can vary slightly from basket to basket.

What Size Laundry Basket Do I Need?

The right size depends on how many people you wash for and how often you do laundry. Use this quick guide:

One Large Hamper or Several Smaller Baskets?

A single large hamper is simple, but a full one with towels and jeans can weigh 15–20 pounds. Many families prefer one tall hamper for everyday clothes plus one or two smaller baskets for towels or delicates. Sorting as you go saves time on wash day and keeps each basket light enough to carry.

Sylvanhall Lidded Wicker Hamper

16" x 16" x 18" H

Wildersonby Wicker Hamper with Lid

18" x 14" x 22" H

Alex Rattan Laundry Basket with Lid

35 x 50 cm (13.8" x 19.7")

Best Laundry Basket Size by Room

Small Bathroom

Keep the footprint to about 14 x 14 inches or a 12–14 inch round. Go up in height rather than width. A lidded basket like the Torrenfield Lidded Wicker Hamper or the compact Rowenta Rattan Basket with Lid fits beside a vanity without blocking the door.

Bedroom

A standard 24–26 inch tall hamper with a lid hides clothes and works as decor. A natural rattan hamper adds texture next to wood furniture and linen bedding.

Closet

Measure floor depth first. Rectangular or square hampers (13–16 inches deep) waste less space than round ones. Check shelf clearance if the hamper has a lid.

Laundry Room

Here you can go larger. A wide, open basket like the Harwin Rattan Laundry Basket holds a big family load, and a basket with built-in handles such as the Kesterfield Wicker Carry Basket is handy for carrying folded clothes back to bedrooms.

Kids' Room or Nursery

Pick a shorter hamper, about 14–18 inches tall, so children can drop clothes in themselves. Round baskets like the Lennoxton Round Rattan Basket also double as toy storage.

Torrenfield Lidded Wicker Hamper

14" x 14" x 16" H

Rowenta Rattan Basket with Lid

Small or Medium

Lennoxton Round Rattan Basket

13.8" dia x 15.7" H

Laundry Basket vs Hamper: What's the Difference?

Many modern woven designs do both jobs: a lidded rattan basket with handles can sit in the bedroom as a hamper and still be carried to the laundry room.

How to Measure for a Laundry Basket or Hamper

1. Measure the width of the spot where the basket will stand, and subtract 1–2 inches for easy access.
2. Measure the depth so the basket won't stick into a walkway or block a door or drawer.
3. Measure the height clearance under any shelf, counter or towel bar. Add 3–4 inches for a lid to open.
4. Check doorways and stairs if you'll carry a large basket between rooms.
5. Compare with product dimensions, not just bushel or liter capacity.

Why Choose a Rattan or Wicker Laundry Basket?

• Breathable: the open weave lets air move, which helps damp towels and gym clothes stay fresher than in a closed plastic bin.
• Looks like decor: a handwoven hamper can stay out in the bedroom or bathroom instead of being hidden.
• Sturdy and light: rattan is strong but light, so even large hampers are easy to move.
• Natural and plastic-free: made from renewable fibres and handwoven by skilled artisans.

Care tip: don't leave soaking-wet clothes inside for days, and dust the weave now and then with a soft brush.

Dasya Rattan & Bamboo Hamper

Open-top hamper

Stellan Extra-Large Cane Hamper

Extra large

Quintess Small Rattan Basket with Lid

2 compact sizes

Laundry Basket Size FAQs

What is the standard laundry basket size?

A standard laundry basket is about 24 inches long, 17 inches wide and 10–12 inches tall (roughly 61 x 43 x 28 cm). That rectangular, 1.5-bushel size holds about one full washer load and is the size most people mean by a "standard" basket.

What is the standard hamper size?

A standard laundry hamper is about 16–18 inches wide (or in diameter) and 24–26 inches tall. Most hold 2–3 bushels, which is enough for one to two people's laundry for about a week.

How wide is a standard laundry basket?

A standard laundry basket is about 17–18 inches wide front to back and about 24 inches long side to side. Compact baskets are 12–15 inches wide, while family-size baskets can reach 20 inches wide and 26–30 inches long.

How tall is a standard laundry basket?

A standard carry-style laundry basket is 10–12 inches tall. A standing laundry hamper is much taller, usually 22–26 inches, and tall hampers can reach about 30 inches.

What is the average size of a laundry basket in inches?

The average laundry basket measures about 24 x 17 x 11 inches. Average hampers are about 17 x 17 x 25 inches. Always check the product's own dimensions, because sizes vary between makers.

What size laundry basket do I need?

One person usually needs a small 1–1.5 bushel basket (about 14–16 inches tall). A couple does well with a 2-bushel hamper around 18–22 inches tall. A family of four or more needs a 2.5–3 bushel hamper 24–26 inches tall, or two medium baskets to split darks and lights.

What size laundry basket fits in a small bathroom?

Choose a basket with a footprint of about 14 x 14 inches or less, or a round basket 12–14 inches in diameter. Go taller (18–22 inches) instead of wider to keep capacity without blocking the floor.

What is the difference between a laundry basket and a hamper?

A laundry basket is low, open and made for carrying clothes to and from the washer. A hamper is taller, often has a lid, and stays in one place to collect dirty clothes until wash day.

Final Thoughts

For most homes, a standard laundry basket of about 24 x 17 x 11 inches and a hamper about 16–18 inches wide and 24–26 inches tall will cover everyday needs. Go smaller for one person or a tight bathroom, and larger, or use two baskets, for a family. Measure your space first, then compare real product dimensions like the ones in our table above.

Every laundry basket at Luxury Rattan Handicrafts is handwoven by artisans and ships free worldwide.

Explore More Collections

• Wicker Laundry Baskets – handwoven hampers in every size
• Wicker & Rattan Hampers – lidded and open hamper styles
• Wicker Baskets with Lid – hidden storage for bathrooms and closets
• Wicker Storage Baskets – shelf and closet organizers
• Seagrass Baskets – soft, natural-fibre storage