Diaper Size Charts by Weight, Brand, & More

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Plus, learn how to tell if your baby's diaper fits properly

Co-authored by Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: July 25, 2026 Fact Checked

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Diapers by Weight

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Diapers by Brand

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How many diapers do you need per size?

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Choosing a Diaper Size

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When to Change Sizes

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Checking the Diaper's Fit

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Getting diapers that fit your baby is key to their comfort, as well as yours. Correct diaper sizing means fewer blowouts and leaks, plus no painful red marks or chafing. But with so many brands and so many options, how do you choose? This helpful guide for new parents will make diaper selection a breeze, thanks to our curated diaper size charts based on weight and brand. We'll also explain how many diapers to buy per size (on average), tips for selecting a diaper size, and much more. Let's go!

Diaper Sizes Chart

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A chart showing common baby diaper sizes and comparing their weight ranges, diaper changes per day, and average time they might fit.

Choose a diaper size for your baby based on their weight. If they fall between sizes, pick the larger size. Note that just because your baby is a given size in one brand doesn't mean they'll be that size in another. Try 2-3 different brands in a size that matches your baby's weight to find the best fit for your baby.

Section 1 of 6:

Diaper Size Chart by Weight

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Diapers are sized according to the weight of the infant. Each baby diaper size lists a wide weight range to accommodate babies of diverse shapes and proportions. These are very rough guidelines, and you may need to buy a small package of diapers to start with to see how they fit your baby. See the chart below for a very general guide to the diaper size your baby might wear at certain weights (on average):^{[1]
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- Preemie: <6 lb (2.7 kg)
- Newborn: <10 lb (4.5 kg)
- Size 1: 8–14 lb (3.6–6.4 kg)
- Size 2: 12–18 lb (5.4–8.2 kg)
- Size 3: 16–22 lb (7.3–10.0 kg)
- Size 4: 22–34 lb (10.0–15.4 kg)
- Size 5: 27+ lbs (12.2+ kg)
- Size 6: 35+ lbs (15.9+ kg)
- Size 7: 41+ lbs (18.6+ kg)

Section 2 of 6:

Diaper Size Chart by Brand

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Different brands size their diapers according to their diaper's unique fit design. There are dozens of diaper brands out there, and they all use different parameters when designing their diapers. Just because one size in Huggies fits your baby perfectly doesn't mean that the same size in Coterie fits exactly the same. Additionally, some have sizes for preemies, while others don't. The guidelines below will help you choose between the most popular diaper brands in the U.S.:^{[2]
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- Pampers Swaddlers^{[3]
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  - Preemie: <6 lb (2.7 kg)
  - Newborn: <10 lb (4.5 kg)
  - Size 1: 8–14 lb (3.6–6.4 kg)
  - Size 2: 10–22 lb (4.5–10.0 kg)
  - Size 3: 13–26 lb (5.9–11.8 kg)
  - Size 4: 15–34 lb (6.8–15.4 kg)
  - Size 5: 20–37 lb (9.1–16.8 kg)
  - Size 6: 23–44 lb (10–20 kg)
  - Size 7: 26–50 lb (12–23 kg)
  - Size 8: 30+ lbs (13.6+ kg)
- Huggies Little Snugglers^{[4]
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  - Preemie: <6 lb (2.7 kg)
  - Newborn: <10 lb (4.5 kg)
  - Size 1: 8–14 lb (3.6–6.4 kg)
  - Size 2: 12–18 lb (5.4–8.2 kg)
  - Size 3: 16–28 lb (7.3–12.7 kg)
  - Size 4: 22–37 lb (10.0–16.8 kg)
  - Size 5: 27+ lbs (12.2+ kg)
  - Size 6: 35+ lbs (15.9+ kg)
  - Size 7: 41+ lbs (18.6+ kg) (available in Little Movers diapers)
  - Size 8: 46+ lbs (20.9+ kg) (available in Little Movers diapers)
- Luv's Platinum Protection^{[5]
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  - Newborn: <10 lb (4.5 kg)
  - Size 1: 8–14 lb (3.6–6.4 kg)
  - Size 2: 12–18 lb (5.4–8.2 kg)
  - Size 3: 16–28 lb (7.3–12.7 kg)
  - Size 4: 22–37 lb (10.0–16.8 kg)
  - Size 5: 27+ lbs (12.2+ kg)
  - Size 6: 35+ lbs (15.9+ kg)
  - Size 7: 41+ lbs (18.6+ kg)
  - Size 8: 46+ lbs (20.9+ kg)
- Kirkland's^{[6]
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  - Size 1: 8–14 lb (3.6–6.4 kg)
  - Size 2: 12–18 lb (5.4–8.2 kg)
  - Size 3: 16–28 lb (7.3–12.7 kg)
  - Size 4: 22–37 lb (10.0–16.8 kg)
  - Size 5: 27+ lbs (12.2+ kg)
  - Size 6: 35+ lbs (15.9+ kg)
  - Size 7: 41+ lbs (18.6+ kg)
- Coterie^{[7]
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  - Newborn: <10 lb
  - Size 1: 8–12 lb (3.6–5.4 kg)
  - Size 2: 10–16 lb (4.5–7.3 kg)
  - Size 3: 14–24 lb (6.4–10.9 kg)
  - Size 4: 20–32 lb (9.1–14.5 kg)
  - Size 5: 27+ lbs (12.2+ kg)
  - Size 6: 35+ lbs (15.9+ kg)
  - Size 7: 41+ lbs (18.6+ kg)

Section 3 of 6:

How many diapers do you need per size?

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The average newborn starts at 10 or more diaper changes daily. As your baby grows and their bladder develops, they'll probably need fewer fresh diapers throughout the day and night. This chart shows you how many diapers you can expect your baby to need depending on which size fits them, plus how long they might wear them (on average):^{[8]
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- Preemie: As many as needed (for as long as needed)
- Newborn: Up to 10 diapers per day x 1.6 months = 480 diapers
- Size 1: Up to 9 diapers per day for 1.7 months = 459 diapers
- Size 2: Up to 8 diapers per day for 2.8 months = 672 diapers
- Size 3: Up to 7 diapers per day for 5.8 months = 1218 diapers
- Size 4: Up to 7 diapers per day for 6.8 months = 1428 diapers
- Size 5: Up to 6 diapers per day for 5 months = 900 diapers
- Size 6: Up to 6 diapers per day for 5.8 months = 1044 diapers
- Size 7: Up to 6 diapers per day for 4.1 months = 738 diapers
- Remember, these numbers are averages and don't fit every baby! If your baby needs more or fewer diaper changes in a given size than what this chart shows, it doesn't necessarily mean that something is wrong. Always speak to your doctor if you're concerned about your child's urination or bowel movement frequency.
  - Caution: If your infant has fewer than 6 wet diapers per day and also a dry mouth, no tears when crying, and a sunken soft spot, take them to the doctor immediately! They might be dehydrated.^{[9]
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    HealthyChildren.org
    Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
    
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- Pro tip: Avoid stocking up on more than 2 weeks' worth of diapers for your babies. Your infant may change sizes fast, and you'll save more money buying them as needed instead of all at once.^{[10]
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  HealthyChildren.org
  Health information from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
  
  Go to source}

Section 4 of 6:

Tips for Choosing a Diaper Size

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Use your baby's weight as a guide. The best place to start when selecting your baby's diaper size is with your baby's weight. Weigh them yourself on a regular scale at home, or base it on the measurements taken at their last checkup. Next, check which diaper size (or sizes) accommodates your baby's weight in your preferred brand.^{[11]
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- To weigh your baby at home, pick them up and stand on a normal scale while holding them. Note your combined weight.
  - Next, set your baby down in a safe place or hand them off to another caretaker, and stand on the scale by yourself.
  - Finally, subtract your single weight from your combined weight to find your baby's weight.
- What if my baby is between sizes? If your baby's weight falls between 2 sizes, buy the bigger size. It's always better to err on the side of being too big than too small!
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Try diapers from different brands to find the one that fits your baby best. Remember, even though your baby's weight matches a specific diaper size, it doesn't mean that that size in every brand will fit your baby the same. Start with a small sample from 2-3 brands, and compare how well they fit. Most importantly, monitor how your baby reacts to each brand, in case they show signs of skin sensitivity or an allergic reaction.
- Note: If your baby develops rashes or hives after wearing a specific diaper brand, switch to a different brand immediately!
- Not sure how to tell if your baby's diaper fits properly? Learn how to check your baby's diaper fit below.

Section 5 of 6:

How to Know When to Change the Diaper Size

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Size up if your baby has red marks, blowouts, or rashes, or the tabs are far apart. An obvious sign of a too-small diaper is red marks around your baby's thighs or waist.^{[12]
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Research source} Another sign is an increase in blowouts and wet beds—the diaper is probably too small to handle the volume of pee or poop your baby is putting into it! Also, if your baby has persistent rashes around their thighs, groin, and belly, the diaper is likely so tight that it's chafing their skin. Lastly, if the tabs don't meet in the middle over your baby's lower belly and seem to pop open easily, your baby could definitely use a bigger size.^{[13]
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- Another sign the diaper is too small is if you can see your baby's buttocks, or if the diaper looks like a bikini from the front. The diaper should cover their bum completely, without looking taut!
- Note: Diaper rashes can also be caused by other issues unrelated to diaper size. For example, your baby might be sensitive or allergic to the materials or chemicals in the diaper. If you size up and apply diaper rash cream, and the rashes don't go away, try changing to a different diaper brand.
  - If switching diaper brands doesn't work, try fragrance-free baby wipes.^{[14]
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  - If switching wipe brands doesn't work, try checking their diaper more often and changing it as soon as you verify that it's soiled. Apply diaper rash cream or baby powder every time you change their diaper.
  - If all at-home diaper rash treatments fail, talk to your baby's pediatrician or family doctor for professional advice.
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Size down if the diaper is sagging, gapping, or falling off, or the tabs overlap. Take a good look at your baby on all sides while they're wearing a diaper. Can you see their crack from behind? Are the tabs in the front overlapping? Are you able to fit more than 2 fingers into their thigh bands or waistband, even with the diaper fully secured? If the answer is "Yes" to any or all of these questions, the diaper is probably too big, and you might want to size down.^{[15]
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- Leaking can also be a sign that the diaper is too big, especially if you notice significant gaps around the waist or the thigh holes.

Section 6 of 6:

How to Check Your Baby's Diaper Fit

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Slide 2 fingers under the waistband of the diaper your baby is currently wearing. The quickest trick is to put 2 fingers together and slide them under your baby's diaper waistband when it's fully secured. The goal is to be able to slide your fingers snugly into the gap, without leaving any room for a third finger.^{[16]
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- If it's hard or impossible to get both fingers in there, the diaper is probably too tight and small. Size up!
- If you can fit more than 2 fingers under it, the diaper is too big or not secured tightly enough. Size down!
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Untuck the ruffles around their thighs and ensure the thigh bands are snug. The ruffles on the sides of the thigh holes help keep your baby's poop inside their diaper. Every time you put a new diaper on your baby, loosen and untuck these ruffles with your finger.^{[17]
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- If the ruffles won't untuck or seem tight around your baby's thighs, the diaper may be too small. Size up!
- If the ruffles stick out really far when you untuck them, and you also notice big gaps around your baby's thighs, the diaper might be too big. Size down!
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Check the distance between the tabs around the diaper waistband. Ideally, the yellow, blue, or white tags on your baby's diaper should just meet under their belly button when secured. At the same time, the waistband should be snug, but not too tight.^{[18]
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- If the tabs sit more than 1 in (2.5 cm) apart when fully stretched and popping loose, then the diaper is too small. Size up!
- If the tabs overlap, then the diaper is too big. Size down!