Diaper sizing looks simple until you try to plan a container. Get the mix wrong and you tie up cash in slow-moving sizes while the fast ones sell out in weeks. This guide explains how baby diaper sizes work, what the weight ranges mean, and how distributors decide how much of each size to order.
How diaper sizes are defined
Diaper sizes are based on the baby’s weight, not age. Two babies of the same age can be two sizes apart. Every pack shows a weight range in kilograms, and that range is what the buyer should look at.
Most manufacturers use a numbered system from 1 to 6, each number paired with a name. The numbers are broadly consistent across brands, but the exact weight ranges differ, so always check the pack rather than assuming.
Standard size chart
| Size | Common name | Typical weight range | Approximate age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newborn | 2–5 kg | 0–2 months |
| 2 | Mini | 3–6 kg | 1–4 months |
| 3 | Midi | 4–9 kg | 3–9 months |
| 4 | Maxi | 7–18 kg | 7–24 months |
| 5 | Junior | 11–25 kg | 18 months and up |
| 6 | XX-Large | 15 kg and up | 2 years and up |
Ranges overlap on purpose. A baby at the top of one range is usually more comfortable in the next size up, especially overnight.
Which sizes sell the most?
Across most markets, demand follows a predictable curve:
- Sizes 3 and 4 are the volume drivers. Babies stay in these sizes the longest, often eight to twelve months each.
- Size 5 follows closely, and in markets where toilet training starts later it can rival size 4.
- Sizes 1 and 2 move fastest per baby but for the shortest time. They are essential for pharmacy and hospital channels, but they are a smaller share of total volume.
- Size 6 is a smaller, steady seller that mainly serves older toddlers and night-time use.
This is why a container made up only of small sizes almost always sells slower than a balanced one.
Planning your size mix
For a first order in a new market, a practical starting point is to weight the mix toward the middle sizes, keep smaller quantities of the newborn sizes, and track what actually moves. After two or three orders you will have your own real sales data, and that beats any general rule.
Three local factors shift the mix:
- Channel. Pharmacies sell more newborn sizes; supermarkets sell more mid and large sizes in big packs.
- Toilet training age. Where training starts later, sizes 5 and 6 take a larger share.
- Price sensitivity. In price-driven markets, large jumbo packs of mid sizes dominate.
Pack formats and what they mean
The same size is sold in several pack formats, and the format matters as much as the size:
- Mini pack: a small count, used as a trial pack or for shops where shoppers buy daily.
- Classic pack: a mid count, the everyday format in most small retail.
- Jumbo and super jumbo packs: high counts with the lowest cost per diaper, built for supermarkets and bulk buyers.
The piece count per pack falls as the size number rises, because larger diapers take more space. A super jumbo pack of size 3 holds far more pieces than a super jumbo pack of size 6.
What to check on a supplier’s size chart
- Weight range per size, in kilograms, and whether it matches what your market expects.
- Pieces per pack for every size and format.
- Packs per carton, which determines how many cartons fit in your container.
- Consistent naming. If a supplier calls size 4 “Large” on one pack and “Maxi” on another, ask them to fix it before printing.
Frequently asked questions
Are diaper sizes the same across all brands?
The numbers are broadly similar, but the weight ranges and piece counts differ by manufacturer. Always compare the printed weight range.
Which diaper size should I order most of?
In most markets, sizes 3, 4 and 5 account for the largest share of volume. Confirm with your own sales data after the first orders.
Can I mix sizes in one container?
Yes. At HB Hammiko you can combine sizes, brands and even different products in one 40ft container.
Plan your first container
Browse our baby diaper brands and their full size tables, see the product catalog, or read how to import baby diapers from Turkey. For a quotation, contact our export team at info@hbhammiko.com or on WhatsApp +90 537 693 60 00.