Hang Tag Sizes: How to Pick the Right Dimensions
A practical guide to hang tag sizes in inches: common dimensions, matching tag to product, hole size and placement, and how to test a size before printing.
How hang tag sizes are written
Hang tag sizes are given as width by height in inches. A 2 x 3.5 in tag is 2 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall, with the hole usually at the top.
Circles are given by diameter, so a 2 in circle is 2 inches across. Folded tags are quoted by their folded size, with the flat size shown on the proof.
Thickness is a separate number, measured in points. One point is 0.001 in, so a 16 pt tag is 0.016 in thick.
When you ask for a quote, give the size in that order: width first, then height. If the hole sits on a short side, say so, since a 3.5 x 2 in tag hangs sideways.
Common hang tag sizes and what they hold
Most tags fall between 1 x 2 in and 3 x 5 in. The table shows typical sizes, what each one suits and roughly how much copy fits at a readable size.
Treat these as starting points. Any size in between can be cut, and we show the exact dimensions on your proof.
If you are unsure, start with 2 x 3.5 in. It suits the widest range of products, and it is easy to size up or down from there on a second order.
| Size | Typical use | Copy that fits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 x 2 in | Rings, earrings, hair clips | Logo and a price |
| 1.5 x 2.5 in | Small gifts, candles, soap bars | Logo, product name, price |
| 2 x 3.5 in | Most apparel and accessories | Logo front, 5 to 7 lines on the back |
| 2.5 x 4 in | Bags, knitwear, home goods | Logo, story line, care notes |
| 3 x 5 in | Blankets, rugs, large gift sets | Full story, care and barcode |
| 2 in circle | Jars, candles, gift boxes | Logo with a short line around it |
Matching the tag to the size of the product
A good tag looks in proportion to the item. As a rough rule, the tag should be no wider than a quarter of the product's visible width.
On a T-shirt folded on a shelf, that points to about 2 x 3.5 in. On a 3 in candle jar, a 1.5 in or 2 in circle looks right.
Display matters as much as product size. A tag on a rack is seen from the side. A tag on a shelf item is seen face on, so it can often be a little smaller.
Apparel adds one more test: the tag should not pull the garment out of shape on a hanger. Our page on clothing hang tags for apparel lines covers sizes for different garments.
Sizes for very small products
Small items need small, light tags. Anything wider than about 1.25 in tends to flip over and hide a ring or a pair of studs.
Keep these tags at 14 pt or 16 pt so the weight does not drag the item. Limit copy to a logo and a price, and move the rest to a card in the box.
Hole size matters more at this scale. Our jewelry hang tags for rings and chains use a smaller hole so the tag sits close to the piece.
Sizing round and shaped tags
A circle holds less copy than a square of the same width. The corners you lose are space you cannot print on, so size a circle about 0.25 in larger than the rectangle you would use.
Keep text inside a ring about 0.125 in from the edge. On a 2 in circle, that leaves a usable area roughly 1.75 in across.
Shapes like leaves or custom outlines need a quick mockup at full size. For round designs, see circle hang tags with a centered logo for typical diameters.
Half circles behave differently. Their flat top edge holds a line of text well. A 2.5 in wide half circle often fits as much copy as a 2 in circle.
Flat size versus folded size
A folded tag is designed flat and then creased. A 2 x 3.5 in folded tag starts as a 4 x 3.5 in sheet folded in half along the side or top.
Text near the fold can crack or get hidden, so leave about 0.125 in clear on both sides of the crease. Heavier stocks need a little more room.
Folding doubles your copy area without making the tag look large on the product. Folded hang tags with an inside panel are the usual answer when a flat tag runs out of room.
Sizes for shipping, sale and product tags
Working tags are sized for what they must carry, not for looks. A shipping tag needs room for an address, while a price tag needs only a few lines.
Shipping tags usually run from 2.5 x 4 in up to 3 x 6 in. Product and price tags sit between 1.5 x 2.5 in and 2 x 3.5 in.
Sale tags are often a little larger than the regular price tag so they stand out on a rack. A step up of about 0.5 in in height is enough for most shops.
If a barcode must fit, allow about 1.5 in of width for the code plus a clear margin. For full layouts, see our range of sale, product and shipping tags.
Hole size and where to put it
Most tags use a hole between 1/8 in and 1/4 in across. String and thin cord fit a 1/8 in hole, while a metal grommet needs about 3/16 in to 1/4 in.
Place the hole at least 0.25 in from the nearest edge. Any closer and the card can tear when the tag is pulled.
Keep text and logos about 0.125 in clear of the hole or grommet ring. Our guide on how to attach hang tags securely matches hole sizes to each attachment.
- 1/8 in hole: cotton string, thread, thin ribbon
- 3/16 in hole: jute, thicker cord, small grommets
- 1/4 in hole: standard grommets, elastic loops
- At least 0.25 in from the edge to the hole
- About 0.125 in clear space around the hole
Testing a size before you order
A size that looks right on screen can look wrong on the product. Five minutes with paper and scissors settles it, and it costs nothing.
Do this with real copy, not placeholder text. Lorem ipsum hides the long product names and care lines that make a tag feel crowded.
Test in the light and setting where shoppers will see it. If you would like help turning the test into artwork, you can design your hang tags with our team.
Show the paper mockups to someone who has not seen the design. If they read the brand name first, the size and layout are working.
- Print your design at 100% scale on plain paper.
- Cut out two or three sizes, about 0.5 in apart.
- Tape or tie each one to the real product.
- Step back about 3 feet and check what you can read.
- Pick the smallest size where the key line is still clear.
Size mistakes that are easy to avoid
Most sizing problems come from choosing a size before the copy is written. Write the copy first, then size the tag to fit it at a readable size.
Text below about 6 pt is hard to read on any tag. If you are squeezing type to fit, the tag is too small or the copy is too long.
Another common slip is forgetting the attachment. A grommet ring needs clear space around the hole, and a knot of jute string can cover part of a small tag.
Think about the full range too. Size a shared style for the smallest product, then compare options in our guide to hang tag styles.
Questions this guide answers
For apparel and accessories, 2 x 3.5 in is the usual starting point. It is the size of a business card turned upright.
Most jewelry tags are around 1 x 2 in or smaller. Anything wider tends to flip and hide the piece.
The size is the full outline of the tag. The hole is punched inside that outline.
It is the stock thickness in thousandths of an inch. A 16 pt tag is 0.016 in thick.
Yes. Any size can be cut, and the proof shows the exact dimensions before printing.
Keep text about 0.125 in inside the cut line. That stops anything important from being trimmed.
At least 0.25 in from the nearest edge. Closer holes tear more easily.
Choose the folded size you want on the product. The flat sheet is double that in one direction.
Most grommets need a hole of about 3/16 in to 1/4 in. We match the hole to the grommet on your proof.
About 6 pt for short lines, and 7 pt or more for anything longer. Fine script fonts need to be larger.
One size keeps things simple, but size it for your smallest product. Large items can take a second, bigger size.
Print the design at full scale on paper, cut it out and attach it to the product. Look at it from about 3 feet away.
Ready to print? Send your size and artwork for a free proof. Request a quote →