Turkish Towel Sizes and Weights Explained: Which One Should You Buy?
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A typical Turkish beach or bath towel is about 36 to 40 inches wide and around 70 inches long, which makes it larger than most standard terry bath towels. Turkish towels are also much lighter: thin flat weaves typically fall around 150 to 250 GSM (grams per square meter), while heavier textured weaves run higher. Choose a lighter weave for travel and the beach, and a heavier one if you want more body in the bath.
At The Riviera Towel Company in Santa Barbara, "what size should I get?" is one of the questions we hear most. This guide covers typical industry sizes and weights so you know what to expect. Exact dimensions vary by style, so always check the product page for the specific towel you are looking at.
What size is a standard Turkish towel?
Most full-size Turkish towels are typically about 36 to 40 inches wide by roughly 70 inches long, not counting the fringe. That is big enough to lie on at the beach or wrap fully around your body after a shower.
Because the weave is thin, that generous size still folds down small. Some styles run a little narrower, longer or shorter, and fringe can add a few inches at each end.
How do Turkish towel sizes compare to regular towels?
A full-size Turkish towel is usually closer in size to a terry bath sheet than to a standard bath towel, but at a fraction of the weight and bulk. Here are typical size ranges you will see across the industry:
| Towel type | Typical size (inches) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Turkish beach / bath towel | About 36-40 x 70 | Beach, pool, bath, travel, wraps |
| Terry bath towel | About 27-30 x 52-58 | Everyday bath |
| Terry bath sheet | About 35-40 x 60-70 | Bath, for those who want full coverage |
| Turkish hand towel | About 16-20 x 30-40 | Powder room, guest bath, gym |
| Tea / kitchen towel | About 18-20 x 26-30 | Drying dishes, kitchen decor |
| Turkish throw or blanket | About 50-60 x 70 and up | Sofa, bed, picnic, beach blanket |
These are general ranges, not specs for any one product. For the bigger picture on how flat weave compares to terry, see Turkish towels vs. regular towels.
What does GSM mean for a Turkish towel?
GSM stands for grams per square meter, and it measures how dense or heavy the fabric is. A higher GSM means more cotton in each square meter, which usually feels thicker and more substantial.
Typical ranges look something like this:
- Lightweight Turkish flat weave: typically around 150 to 250 GSM. Thin, packable and quick drying.
- Midweight and textured Turkish weaves (waffle, diamond, honeycomb): typically around 250 to 400 GSM. More body and texture, still faster drying than terry.
- Terry bath towels: often around 400 to 700 GSM or more. Plush, heavy and slower to dry.
You will also see Turkish towels described by total weight instead of GSM. The two are related: a 38 x 70 inch towel covers about 1.7 square meters, so a 200 GSM fabric works out to roughly 340 grams for the whole towel. Fringe and finishing details add a little to that.
Which weight should you choose: lightweight, midweight or heavy?
Choose a lightweight flat weave if you prioritize packability and fast drying, and a heavier, textured weave if you want a towel that feels more like a classic bath towel. Here is how our collections line up in general terms:
- Classic collection: lightweight flat weaves, the easiest to pack and quickest to dry. The Essential Turkish Towel (from $29.98) is the everyday favorite.
- Premium collection: heavier, more textured weaves with a more substantial hand, such as the Diamond Turkish Towel (from $34.98).
- Luxe collection: our most special pieces, with richer details and finishes for the bath, the beach house or gifting.
Product pages list the details for each style, and you are always welcome to come feel the weights side by side in the shop.
What size Turkish towel is best for the beach, bath or travel?
A full-size Turkish towel, around 36 to 40 by 70 inches, works for nearly everything. The real choice is weight:
- Beach: full size, light to midweight. Sand shakes off easily and it dries fast between swims. See the best beach towels for Santa Barbara.
- Bath: full size, midweight or textured, like the Turkish Cotton Waffle Towel (from $38.98).
- Travel: full size, lightweight. It folds to roughly paperback size. More in why a Turkish towel is the best travel towel.
- Gym or yoga: a lightweight towel or a hand towel.
- Kids: a full-size towel doubles as a wrap and a beach blanket, so most families size up rather than down.
What size are Turkish hand towels and tea towels?
Turkish hand towels are typically about 16 to 20 inches wide and 30 to 40 inches long, which is often a bit longer than a terry hand towel. Tea towels are usually a little smaller, around 18 to 20 by 26 to 30 inches.
Browse our hand and tea towels, including the Waffle Hand Towel (from $18), or read our guide to Turkish hand towels and tea towels.
Do Turkish towels shrink?
Like most cotton textiles, Turkish towels can shrink slightly in the first wash, especially in hot water or a hot dryer. Washing in cool or warm water and drying on low or on a line helps them keep their size and shape.
Our guide on how to care for Turkish towels covers the details.
Where can I compare Turkish towel sizes in Santa Barbara?
The easiest way to understand size and weight is to hold a few towels in your hands. Visit The Riviera Towel Company at 17 W. Gutierrez St., just off State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, or shop online at rivieratowel.com, where each product page lists that towel's details.
Our towels are hand-loomed from Turkish cotton in Turkey, with colorways designed in Santa Barbara. "Buy 2, save 10%" applies automatically on Riviera towels, blankets and robes, and orders over $95 ship free.
FAQ
What size is a Turkish towel?
A full-size Turkish towel is typically about 36 to 40 inches wide and around 70 inches long, not counting the fringe. Exact sizes vary by style, so check each product page.
Is a Turkish towel bigger than a bath towel?
Usually, yes. A full-size Turkish towel is typically closer in size to a terry bath sheet than a standard bath towel, but it is much thinner and lighter.
What is a good GSM for a Turkish towel?
Lightweight Turkish flat weaves are typically around 150 to 250 GSM, and textured weaves like waffle or diamond typically run around 250 to 400 GSM. Lighter is better for travel and the beach; heavier gives more body in the bath.
How much does a Turkish towel weigh?
A full-size Turkish towel typically weighs a few hundred grams. For example, a 38 by 70 inch towel woven at 200 GSM works out to roughly 340 grams, while heavier textured weaves weigh more.
What size is a Turkish hand towel?
Turkish hand towels are typically about 16 to 20 inches wide and 30 to 40 inches long, often a bit longer than a standard terry hand towel.
Want to feel the difference between weights in person? Visit our shop at 17 W. Gutierrez St. in Santa Barbara or call 805-560-1571. We offer free shipping on orders over $95, and 5% of our net profits go to organizations that heal and protect the ocean we all love, with $76,439.30 donated so far.
