The short answer
Measure your laptop itself, not its screen size, and choose a bag whose inside is about an inch wider and deeper. Pick a shape that protects it (a briefcase, a structured tote or a backpack with a sleeve), a strap that suits how you carry, and a zip or flap if you commute.
A work bag carries one of the most expensive things you own, every day, so it has to fit it properly. Too tight and the laptop strains the seams; too loose and it slides around and knocks at the corners. Here is how to get it right before you buy.
Start with your laptop’s real size
The 13, 14 or 15 inches in a laptop’s name is the screen measured corner to corner, not the size of the machine. Measure the laptop itself: its width, its depth and its thickness.
Measure your laptop closed, in any sleeve you use, and add about an inch (2.5 cm) to its width and depth. That is the smallest inside space a bag should have.
As a rough guide, many 13-inch laptops are about 12 inches wide and many 15-inch laptops about 13.5 to 14 inches wide, but models differ, so check yours. Then compare it with the inside of a bag, not the outside: leather, lining and seams take up room.
Choose the right shape
The best shape depends on how you get to work and what else you carry.
| Bag | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Briefcase | Structure, documents, meetings | Carried by hand or on one strap |
| Tote | Everyday carry, room for more | Needs a firm base and an inner sleeve or closure |
| Backpack | Walking, cycling, long commutes | Slower to reach things |
| Messenger | Across the body, quick access | Weight sits on one shoulder |
Straps and handles
A laptop adds weight, so how you carry it matters more than with any other bag.
- On the shoulder: for a tote worn on the shoulder, especially over a coat, look for a handle drop of at least 9 inches (23 cm). Our bag size guide lists the drop of every bag.
- Across the body: an adjustable strap spreads the weight better on long walks.
- Where handles meet the bag: stitched, reinforced attachment points carry weight for years. Handles that are only glued or lightly stitched are the first place a bag fails.
Structure and protection
A laptop needs a bag that keeps its shape. Look for a firm base, so the bag stands up and the laptop does not rest on its corners, and an inner sleeve or pocket that keeps it apart from keys and chargers. Firm, thick leathers hold their shape better than thin, soft ones; full-grain leather is the strongest grade.
Closure and weather
If you commute, a zip or a flap keeps the laptop dry and out of sight. An open tote is easy at a desk but needs an inner zip pocket or a laptop sleeve for the journey. No leather bag is waterproof, so in heavy rain a sleeve inside adds protection, and a little care afterwards keeps the leather in shape.
A quick checklist before you buy
- FitInside space about an inch bigger than your laptop in width and depth.
- CarryA strap or handle drop that suits how you carry, with reinforced attachment points.
- ShapeA firm base and an inner sleeve or pocket for the laptop.
- CloseA zip or a flap if you travel with it.
Not sure which of our bags fits your laptop? The bag size guide shows each one to scale with what fits inside, or ask us with your laptop’s model.
Questions
Will a 15-inch laptop fit in a tote bag?
It can, if the inside of the tote is about an inch wider and deeper than the laptop. Measure the laptop itself: 15 inches is its screen, measured corner to corner.
Is a leather bag heavy with a laptop inside?
Leather adds some weight, especially in a structured briefcase. A good shoulder strap or a backpack spreads it; check the bag weight before you buy.
Do I need a laptop sleeve inside a leather bag?
It helps. A sleeve keeps the laptop apart from keys and chargers and adds protection from knocks and rain.