A Turkish towel, or peshtemal, is typically larger than the beach towel you grew up with and thinner than the bath towel in your cupboard. That combination confuses people, so here is the direct answer.
Naturloom peshtemals measure 36 x 67 inches (about 91 x 170 cm). That is one size across all three of our models, so there is no size decision to make. What matters is knowing what that size does and does not cover.
How 36 x 67 Compares
| Typical size | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Naturloom peshtemal | 36 x 67 in | Flat woven, folds small |
| Standard beach towel | around 30 x 60 in | Terry, bulkier to carry |
| Standard bath towel | around 27 x 52 in | Terry, stays damp longer |
| Bath sheet | around 35 x 60 in | Terry, heavy when wet |
Sizes outside our own are general market norms and vary by brand, but the pattern holds: a peshtemal is usually longer and wider than a standard beach towel while packing down far smaller, because the flat weave has no loops taking up bulk.
What This Size Actually Covers
Sixty seven inches of length is enough to wrap most adults comfortably, which is why peshtemals get used as cover ups and wraps rather than only as towels. Thirty six inches of width is roughly a shoulder to hip span when wrapped.
Laid flat on sand, it gives one adult a comfortable place to lie down with room to spare, or two people sitting side by side. It is not a family sized beach blanket, and we would rather say so than let you find out at the beach.
Is It Big Enough for a Bath Towel?
Yes, and it is larger than most standard bath towels. The adjustment is not size but feel. A peshtemal is thin and flat rather than plush, so drying off feels different from burying yourself in terry.
The trade is drying time. A thin flat weave releases water quickly instead of holding it, so the towel is often dry again before you next need it. In a small bathroom or a shared one, that matters more than plushness does.
Our Turkish cotton peshtemal works as a bath towel, beach towel and travel towel in the same size.
Why One Size Instead of Several
Some brands sell hand, bath and beach versions of the same towel. We make one size because 36 x 67 covers all three jobs well, and a towel that works everywhere is more useful than three towels that each work in one place.
It also means the towel you buy for the beach in July becomes your guest bathroom towel in November without looking out of place. That versatility is the point of a peshtemal, and splitting it into sizes works against it.
How Much Space It Takes
Folded, a peshtemal takes up roughly a third of the space of a terry beach towel of similar size. For a family of four heading to the beach, that is the difference between one bag and two.
This is the reason peshtemals travel so well. They fit in a carry on without claiming a corner of it, and they dry fast enough to be repacked the same day.
Does It Shrink?
Cotton relaxes slightly with the first wash, so expect a small amount of settling rather than noticeable shrinkage. Washing on a gentle cycle at 86°F (30°C) and tumble drying on low heat keeps that to a minimum.
The texture changes more than the measurements do. A new peshtemal feels slightly crisp and becomes softer and more absorbent over the first few washes as the cotton fibers relax and open.
Choosing Between Our Three Models
All three are the same 36 x 67 size and the same OEKO-TEX certified Turkish cotton. The difference is pattern and color.
- Beach, bath and travel peshtemal in Turquoise, Coral and Lilac
- Beach and bath peshtemal in Turquoise, Blue, Mustard and Pink
- Quick dry travel peshtemal in Blue, Purple and Lilac
Caring for Your Peshtemal
Wash it alone the first time. Use a gentle cycle at 86°F (30°C) and tumble dry on low heat. If air drying, hang or lay it in a well ventilated area and avoid stretching the fabric while wet. Do not use bleach and do not dry clean. Avoid washing it with jeans or anything that has small hooks.
Skip fabric softener. It coats cotton fibers and works against absorbency, which is the opposite of what you want from a flat weave towel.
Shop Turkish Towels
Read Next
For how a peshtemal compares with a standard terry towel, read Turkish Beach Towel vs Regular Beach Towel.
For the certification behind our towels, read What OEKO-TEX Certification Means for Turkish Cotton Towels.
The Bottom Line
A Naturloom Turkish towel measures 36 x 67 inches. That is longer and wider than a standard beach towel, larger than a standard bath towel, and small enough folded to disappear into a bag.
One size covers beach, bath, pool, travel, gym and guest bathroom use. All three models are woven from OEKO-TEX certified Turkish cotton and ship from our small family business in Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a Turkish towel?
Naturloom peshtemals measure 36 x 67 inches, roughly 91 x 170 cm. All three of our models come in this single size.
Is a Turkish towel bigger than a normal beach towel?
Usually yes. Standard beach towels are often around 30 x 60 inches, so a 36 x 67 inch peshtemal is both longer and wider while folding down considerably smaller.
Can a Turkish towel be used as a bath towel?
Yes. At 36 x 67 inches it is larger than most standard bath towels. It is thinner and flatter than terry, so it feels different, but it dries you effectively and dries out much faster afterward.
How many people fit on a Turkish towel at the beach?
Laid flat it comfortably fits one adult lying down, or two people sitting side by side. It is not intended as a family sized beach blanket.
Do Turkish towels shrink after washing?
Cotton settles slightly after the first wash rather than shrinking noticeably. Washing on a gentle cycle at 86°F (30°C) and drying on low heat keeps any change minimal.