The quick guide that saves you a return shipment
The package arrives. You open it, take out the new sleeve — and you know immediately: too small.
Or too big.
Both are frustrating. Both are avoidable.
This guide tells you in five minutes which size fits your laptop — with exact dimensions for the most common MacBook models and a simple method to measure your device yourself.
How Are Laptops Actually Measured?
This is where most mistakes happen.
The inch number on a laptop always refers to the screen diagonal — the distance from one corner of the display to the opposite corner. It tells you nothing about the actual size of the chassis.
Screen Diagonal vs. Chassis Size – the Important Difference
Two laptops with a 14" display can have very different physical dimensions — depending on how wide the bezels are and how the device is constructed.
A practical example: a MacBook Air 13" has a chassis of 30.4 × 21.5 cm. A MacBook Pro 14" measures 31.3 × 22.1 cm — only marginally larger, even though the difference in screen diagonal sounds more significant.
What this means for your sleeve: what matters is not the inch number of your laptop, but the physical chassis dimensions — and whether they fit comfortably inside the sleeve's main compartment.
How to Measure Your Laptop Correctly
How to find the right sleeve size in three steps:
1. Measure the width of your laptop (closed, from left to right)
2. Measure the depth (from front to back)
3. Compare these measurements with the sleeve's outer dimensions. As a rule of thumb: your laptop should be at least 2–3 cm narrower than the sleeve — enough room to slide the device in and out comfortably, without it moving around inside.
No tape measure handy? Check the technical specifications on the manufacturer's website — chassis dimensions are always listed there.
Which MacBook Models Fit Which Sleeve?
Here are the current Apple models with their chassis dimensions and the recommended Plant Inside sleeve size:
|
Model |
Chassis dimensions |
Recommended size |
|
MacBook Neo 13" |
29.8 × 20.6 cm |
14" (35 × 25 cm) |
|
MacBook Air 13" |
30.4 × 21.5 cm |
14" (35 × 25 cm) |
|
MacBook Pro 14" |
31.3 × 22.1 cm |
14" (35 × 25 cm) |
|
MacBook Air 15" |
34.0 × 23.8 cm |
16" (40 × 28 cm) |
|
MacBook Pro 16" |
35.6 × 24.8 cm |
16" (40 × 28 cm) |
All five models fit their respective sleeve with a comfortable margin of at least 3–4 cm in width — enough for smooth daily use without the device shifting inside.
MacBook Neo 13" – a Special Case Worth Knowing About
The MacBook Neo is Apple's new entry-level model — under €700, lightweight and built for everyday use. With a chassis of just 29.8 × 20.6 cm, it's the most compact device in this comparison.
In the 14" sleeve it has a width margin of around 5 cm. That might sound like a lot — but it isn't a problem. The felt lining and the structured Washpapa® exterior keep the device securely in place. And the slightly larger margin actually makes daily sliding in and out particularly smooth.
Bottom line: MacBook Neo owners are very well served by the 14" sleeve.
How Big Is a 16-Inch Laptop in cm?
The 16 inches refer to the screen diagonal: 16" = 40.6 cm (1 inch = 2.54 cm). The chassis of a 16-inch laptop typically measures around 35–36 × 24–25 cm. Here are the typical chassis dimensions by screen size:
|
Screen |
Diagonal in cm |
Typical chassis size |
Recommended sleeve |
|
13" |
33,0 cm |
29–31 × 20–22 cm |
14" (35 x 25 cm) |
|
14" |
35,6 cm |
31–32 × 21–23 cm |
14" (35 x 25 cm) |
|
15" |
38,1 cm |
34–35 × 23–24 cm |
16" (40 x 28 cm) |
|
16" |
40,6 cm |
35–36 × 24–25 cm |
16" (40 x 28 cm) |
What About Other Laptops – Surface, ThinkPad, Dell?
Our sleeves aren't just for MacBooks. The dimensions apply to any laptop:
|
Sleeve size |
Outer dimensions |
Fits laptops up to |
|
14" |
35 × 25 cm |
14" screen diagonal |
|
16" |
40 × 28 cm |
16" screen diagonal |
Common Windows laptops like the Microsoft Surface Pro, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon or Dell XPS 13 fit comfortably in the 14" sleeve. Larger models like the Dell XPS 15 or Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme work well in the 16" version.
When in doubt: go one size up. A sleeve with a little room is more comfortable than one that's too tight — and protects just as well.
The Plant Inside Laptop Sleeves – Both Sizes at a Glance
|
14" Sleeve |
16" Sleeve |
|
|
Dimensions |
35 × 25 cm |
40 × 28 cm |
|
Weight |
~149 g |
~149 g |
|
Material |
Washpapa® Aged + felt |
Washpapa® Aged + felt |
|
Colours |
Black, Chocolate, Navy Blue, Sahara, Pastel Plum |
Black, Chocolate, Navy Blue, Sahara, Pastel Plum |
|
Compartments |
3 |
3 |
|
Closure |
Magnetic snaps |
Magnetic snaps |
|
Production |
Handcrafted in Poland |
Handcrafted in Poland |
Both sizes are available in all five colours — and identical in every way except the outer dimensions.
What material sits behind our sleeve – and why we chose Washpapa® over standard PU and neoprene – is explained in detail in our article Vegan MacBook Sleeve: Neoprene, PU or Washpapa® Compared.
What Washpapa® actually is, how it's produced and why it's a genuine alternative to synthetic leather is explained in detail in our article What Is Washpapa® – The Plant-Based Paper Textile from Germany.
Everything about choosing the right vegan laptop sleeve — material, function and care — is covered in our Guide: Vegan Laptop Sleeve – What to Look for When Buying.
And if you want to know how to recognise truly sustainable products, our How to Choose a Sustainable Bag – 5 Criteria That Actually Matter is worth a read.
If you already know what you're looking for – all Plant Inside vegan laptop sleeves are in one place.
FAQ
Does a MacBook Air 13" (M2, M3 or M4) fit in the 14" sleeve?
Yes, easily. The chassis is identical across all generations: 30.4 × 21.5 cm. In the 14" sleeve (35 × 25 cm) it has a comfortable margin of nearly 5 cm in width.
Does a MacBook Neo 13" fit in the 14" sleeve?
Yes. The MacBook Neo is the most compact model in our comparison at 29.8 × 20.6 cm — and fits with plenty of room in the 14" sleeve. Perfect for anyone with Apple's lightweight new entry-level model.
What is the difference between the 14" and 16" sleeve?
Only the outer dimensions: 35 × 25 cm vs. 40 × 28 cm. Material, weight, compartments, colours and production are identical across both sizes.
My laptop has a 15" screen — which size should I choose?
The 16" sleeve. A 15" laptop typically has a chassis width of 34–35 cm — which no longer fits comfortably in the 14" sleeve. The 16" version gives it the right amount of room.
Are the sleeves compatible with older MacBook models?
Yes, as long as the chassis dimensions match. Older MacBook Pro 13" models have a chassis of approximately 30.4 × 21.2 cm — comparable to the current MacBook Air 13" and fully compatible with the 14" sleeve.
Is there a guarantee my laptop will fit?
We recommend comparing your laptop's chassis dimensions with the sleeve's outer dimensions (14": 35 × 25 cm / 16": 40 × 28 cm). Your laptop should be at least 2–3 cm narrower. If you're unsure, reach out — we're happy to help you find the right size.
Does a MacBook Pro M4 14" fit in the 14" sleeve?
Yes. The MacBook Pro M4 14" has a chassis of 31.3 × 22.1 cm — it fits easily in the 14" sleeve with a margin of almost 4 cm in width.
Does a Dell XPS 15 fit in the 16" sleeve?
In most cases yes. The Dell XPS 15 has a chassis of approximately 34.4 × 23.0 cm depending on the generation — it fits comfortably in the 16" sleeve (40 × 28 cm) with a margin of over 5 cm in width.
Does a MacBook Air M3 15" fit in the 16" sleeve?
Yes. The MacBook Air M3 15" has a chassis of 34.0 × 23.8 cm — in the 16" sleeve it has a margin of 6 cm in width. A very comfortable fit that makes daily sliding in and out particularly smooth.