Short answer
For sitting, use a towel at least 150 cm (60 in) long and 80 cm (31 in) wide. For lying down, you need about 200 × 80–90 cm (79 × 31–35 in) – roughly your height plus 10–20 cm. A normal bath towel (70 × 140 cm / 27 × 55 in) is too short in most public saunas, because your whole body, including your feet, should rest on the towel and not on the wood.
The sauna towel is not about modesty first – it’s about hygiene. In most public saunas the rule is simple: no sweat on the wood. Your back, bottom and feet all need to be on fabric. That’s why the right size depends on how you use the bench.
Sauna towel size chart
| Use | Minimum size (cm) | Minimum size (in) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat towel / bench cover | 40 × 60 – 50 × 80 | 16 × 24 – 20 × 31 | Only the seat – fine at home, usually not enough in public |
| Standard bath towel | 70 × 140 | 27 × 55 | Sitting, but feet often end up on the wood |
| Sitting (recommended) | 80 × 150–160 | 31 × 60–63 | Back, bottom and feet while sitting upright |
| Lying down | 80–90 × 200 | 31–35 × 79 | Full body – your height + 10–20 cm |
| Wrap towel / sauna kilt | ≈ 80 × 150 with snap or Velcro | ≈ 31 × 60 | Worn on the way to the cabin, then laid out |
US “bath sheets” (around 35 × 60 in up to 40 × 70 in) work well as sauna towels. If you are taller than about 185 cm (6’1″), go for 200–220 cm (79–87 in) if you like to lie down.
How to measure what you need
- Sitting: sit on a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Measure from the top of your shoulders down your back, along the seat, and down to the floor. Add 10 cm (4 in). Most adults end up at 150–160 cm.
- Lying: take your height and add 10–20 cm (4–8 in), so neither your heels nor your head touch the wood.
- Width: 80 cm (31 in) covers most people’s shoulders and hips. Broad shoulders: 90–100 cm (35–39 in).
How many towels to bring
For a public or spa sauna, plan on three pieces:
- One large sauna towel (sizes above) to sit or lie on in the cabin.
- One bath towel to dry off after the cold shower or plunge – the sauna towel will be damp with sweat.
- A bathrobe for the rest breaks between rounds.
At home a seat towel or washable bench cover is often enough, as long as you wash it regularly. Wondering what else to wear (or not)? Read what to wear in a sauna and our guide to sauna bathing in the nude.
Best material for a sauna towel
- Cotton terry: soft, absorbs sweat well, the classic choice. Heavier and slower to dry.
- Linen or waffle cotton: lighter, dries faster and packs smaller – good for gym bags and travel.
- Light colors show sweat less than dark ones, and they don’t fade in hot washes.
Wash sauna towels after every public visit at 60 °C (140 °F) to kill bacteria, and don’t leave them balled up and damp in your bag.
Sauna towel etiquette
- Lay the towel out before you sit down, and keep your feet on it too.
- Don’t hang towels over the heater or the stones to dry – that is a fire risk.
- In German-style saunas you usually sit on the towel rather than wear it. Follow the house rules.
- During an Aufguss, keep your towel on the bench – the sauna master may wave a separate towel to move the hot air. More: Aufguss etiquette.
Wrapping a second towel around you between rounds is completely normal, even in textile-free saunas. If going without clothes makes you nervous, read our first-timer’s guide to a nude sauna.
FAQ
Is a normal bath towel big enough for the sauna?
For a home sauna, often yes. In a public sauna it’s usually too short for your back, seat and feet together – choose 150 cm (60 in) or more.
What size is a standard sauna towel?
Towels sold as “sauna towels” are commonly around 80 × 200 cm (31 × 79 in), so you can lie down on them.
Do I need a towel in an infrared sauna?
Yes. You sweat in an infrared cabin too, and a towel on the bench keeps the wood clean. See what to do before and after an infrared sauna.
What else should I pack?
Flip-flops, a water bottle and a robe. Our list of sauna accessories covers the rest, and the free sauna timer keeps your rounds on track.