How to Use the Vacuum Storage Bag Space Calculator
Sorting through bulky comforters and winter jackets at the end of a season always seems to eat up more closet space than expected. Vacuum storage bags solve that by sucking the air out of clothes and bedding, dramatically shrinking their volume — but knowing roughly how much space you'll actually get back makes it much easier to plan your storage. Enter your pre-compression volume and bag type, and this calculator estimates the volume after compressing and the space you'll save.
A standard zip-seal bag compressed with a household vacuum typically shrinks volume by around 65%, while a heavy-duty bag sealed with a hand or electric pump can reach up to 75%. Items that trap a lot of air, like down comforters or puffy jackets, tend to compress the most dramatically.
To make the space savings easier to picture, the result is also converted into an equivalent number of common 13-gallon storage totes. Keep in mind that leaving down or knit items compressed for too long can reduce their loft over time, so it's worth airing them out whenever the season changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the bag and material, but a standard bag typically reduces volume by 60-70%, while a heavy-duty pump-sealed bag can reach 70-80%. Down comforters and puffy jackets that trap a lot of air compress the most.
Down and knit fabrics can lose some loft if left compressed for many months, so it helps to air them out when the seasons change. Bedding and winter outerwear held for shorter periods handle vacuum storage well.