Our Christmas Cracker Sizes Explained

Our Christmas cracker making sets come in a wide range of sizes, from small and standard crackers to large, extra-large and jumbo designs. If you're planning to add your own gifts, choosing the right size is important.

The overall length of a cracker can make a difference to how it looks on your Christmas table, but the most important measurement when choosing a cracker for a particular gift is the size of the central barrel. This is the part of the cracker where the gift or filler goes.

In this guide, we'll explain the different Christmas cracker sizes and help you work out which one is likely to be right for your Christmas table and the gifts you want to put inside.

Christmas Cracker Sizes at a Glance

Cracker size Size Typical use
Small crackers 22cm long and 4.2cm wide  Tiny gifts and simple surprises
Standard crackers 29.5cm and 5.5cm wide Traditional cracker gifts and small fillers
Large crackers 37cm and 6.8cm wide Larger gifts and more substantial fillers
Extra-large crackers 41cm long and 8cm wide Larger gifts or several smaller gifts
Jumbo crackers 50cm long and 9cm wide Substantial gifts and multiple surprises

 

Does Size Matter?

Put simply, yes - size has never been so important!

So, why does Christmas cracker size matter?

The size of your Christmas cracker determines how much room you have inside for a gift.

Traditional crackers tend to have a relatively small central barrel, which is perfect for the classic little gifts associated with Christmas crackers. However, if you've found a gift that is larger, wider or simply a little more substantial, a standard cracker may not have enough room.

Choosing a larger cracker gives you more flexibility.

You might want to include:

  • A larger individual gift

  • Several smaller gifts together

  • A bigger game or puzzle

  • A beauty or self-care gift

  • A small candle or scented gift

  • A selection of treats

  • A personalised gift

  • A collection of little surprises

The important thing is to check the barrel dimensions, rather than relying on the overall length of the cracker.

Small Christmas Crackers

Dimensions - 21.5cm long and the barrel (where the fillers go) is 7.1cm long and 4.2cm wide.

Our small cracker making sets are useful when you want something more compact, particularly for smaller gifts or occasions where you don't need a large amount of space inside.

They can be a lovely choice for children, smaller place settings or simple party favours.

Because small crackers vary between designs, it's particularly important to check the individual product measurements before choosing what to put inside.

If you already have your gift, measure it first and compare it with the available barrel space.


Standard Christmas Crackers

Dimensions - 29.5cm long, with a central barrel measuring approximately 9.6cm long x 5.5cm wide.

Standard sized cracker making sets are the classic Christmas cracker size and are a popular choice for traditional Christmas dinner tables.

This size is well suited to the traditional little gifts you would expect to find inside a Christmas cracker.

Standard crackers are a good choice if you want:

  • A traditional-looking Christmas table

  • Small gifts for each guest

  • Classic cracker fillers

  • A coordinated set of crackers

  • A compact cracker that sits neatly alongside each place setting

If you're buying a ready-to-fill cracker or making your own, there is a wide choice of cracker fillers designed for standard-sized crackers.

Tip: If your chosen gift is close to the maximum barrel dimensions, don't assume it will fit just because the measurements are similar. Allow a little room for wrapping and for the gift to slide comfortably into the barrel.

Large Christmas Crackers

Dimensions - 37cm long, with a central barrel of approximately 11.5cm long x 6.8cm wide.

Our large sized crackers give you noticeably more room than a standard cracker, making them a useful choice when you want to put something a little more substantial inside.

That extra space can make a surprising difference.

A large cracker is worth considering if:

  • Your gift won't comfortably fit into a standard cracker

  • You want to include several small gifts

  • You want your crackers to make more of a feature on the table

  • You're creating personalised crackers for individual guests

  • You want more flexibility when choosing your cracker fillers

Large crackers are also a good option when you're making your own crackers and want to choose gifts first, rather than restricting yourself to the smallest possible fillers.

     

    Extra Large Christmas Crackers

    Dimensions - 41cm long, with a very generous 16.8cm x 8cm barrel.

    If you want to go beyond the traditional cracker size, our extra large crackers provide considerably more room.

    At this size, you can move beyond the usual tiny cracker filler and start thinking about more substantial gifts.

    Extra Large crackers can work well for:

    • Larger individual gifts

    • Several smaller gifts together

    • Luxury treats

    • Candles and scented gifts

    • Wellbeing and self-care gifts

    • Children's toys and games

    • Personalised gift collections

    They're also useful when you want the cracker itself to become part of the gift presentation.

    Our Extra Large crackers are reusable keepsake cracker kits, so they're designed to be opened carefully rather than pulled apart like a traditional cracker.

    Jumbo Christmas Crackers

    Dimensions - 50cm long with a super-generous 20.4cm x 9cm barrel.

    Our jumbo cracker making sets are the largest size in our range and that are freely available to buy anywhere in the UK.

    A Jumbo cracker gives you the most freedom when choosing what to put inside.

    They're particularly useful when you want to create a substantial Christmas gift in an unexpected format, or when you'd like to combine several smaller gifts into one impressive cracker.

    A Jumbo cracker could contain:

    • A collection of smaller gifts

    • A larger toy or game

    • Beauty or wellbeing gifts

    • Festive treats

    • Several personalised surprises

    • A main gift accompanied by smaller extras

    Because Jumbo crackers are so much larger than a traditional cracker, they can also make a real feature of each place setting.

    Like our Extra Large crackers, our Jumbo designs are available as reusable keepsake crackers.

    What Size Christmas Cracker Should I Choose?

    The easiest way to choose your cracker size is to start with the gift you want to put inside.

    If you've already chosen your gift, measure its widest and longest points and compare those measurements with the barrel dimensions of the cracker.

    As a general guide:

    Choose a Small cracker if...

    You only need space for a very small gift or simple surprise.

    Choose a Standard cracker if...

    You want a traditional Christmas cracker containing a small gift or standard-sized cracker filler - something that think would easily fit inside a toilet roll tube.

    Choose a Large cracker if...

    You want more room for a larger gift or several small gifts, without moving too far away from the traditional cracker shape.

    Choose an Extra Large cracker if...

    You want considerably more capacity for larger gifts or a collection of surprises.

    Choose a Jumbo cracker if...

    You want maximum space or you're using the cracker as an alternative way to present a substantial gift.  Maybe even a full sized tin of larger - yes they are that big!

     

    Don't Just Measure the Length

    One of the easiest mistakes to make when choosing a Christmas cracker is to look only at its overall length.

    Size isn't just about length - take it from us...

    A 37cm cracker is definitely not going to hold a gift that is 37cm long.

    Similarly, a 7cm wide cracker is not going to hold a 7cm wide cube - square pegs into round holes springs to mind here...

    The central barrel is the important part.

    For example, our large sized cracker measures approximately 37cm from end to end, but the space available for the gift is approximately 11.5cm long x 6.8cm wide.

    Our extra large sized cracker measures 41cm overall but has a much larger 16.8cm x 8cm barrel, while our 50cm Jumbo has a whopping 20.4cm x 9cm barrel.

    This is why we recommend checking the individual product description before ordering, particularly if you're buying a cracker specifically to accommodate a particular gift.

    What About the Shape of the Gift?

    Measurements aren't the only consideration.

    A gift may technically fit within the stated length and width but still be difficult to put inside if it is bulky, rigid or an unusual shape.

    For example, a soft item may be easier to fit than a rigid item of exactly the same dimensions.

    If you're filling a traditional cracker yourself, consider:

    Length: Is the gift short enough to fit inside the central barrel?

    Width: Is it narrow enough to pass through the opening?  The opening is a circle - is your gift a square?

    If you're unsure, it's always worth checking with us before ordering. We'd much rather help you choose the right size than have you discover that your carefully chosen gift doesn't fit.

     

    Fragile Items

    If you have fragile items, you need to allow room for protection of the items - don't forget that traditional crackers are pulled and the gift often falls out.

    If you do have fragile items, consider our exclusive keepsake crackers, which the recipient slides apart to reveal the gifts - keeping them much safer and also allowing for more protection if you want.

     

    Can I Put More Than One Gift in a Christmas Cracker?

    Yes, provided they fit comfortably.

    Putting several smaller gifts together can be a lovely way to make a cracker more personal. You could choose a main gift and add a couple of smaller surprises alongside it.

    For example, an extra large or jumbo cracker could contain:

    A main gift + a small game + a Christmas-themed treat

    or:

    A useful gift + a beauty item + a little keepsake

    If you're planning to put several items inside, a Large cracker, Extra-Large cracker or Jumbo cracker gives you more flexibility than a standard cracker.

    Christmas Cracker Size and Table Setting

    Size isn't only about what's inside the cracker. It also affects how the crackers look on your Christmas table.

    Standard crackers have a traditional appearance and work well alongside plates, cutlery and glassware.

    Large crackers make more of a statement without being dramatically oversized.

    Extra Large and Jumbo crackers are much more substantial and can become a feature of the table in their own right - they also make fabulous gifts too...

    If you're creating a coordinated Christmas table, think about the size of the cracker alongside your place settings and other table decorations.

     

    What If I Can't Find a Cracker Big Enough?

    If you've chosen a gift that won't fit inside a Standard or Large cracker, don't immediately give up on the idea of presenting it as a cracker.

    Our Extra Large cracker kits and Jumbo cracker kits have been designed specifically to give you much more room. Their generous barrels make it possible to include larger gifts or multiple smaller surprises.

    And if you don't need a traditional pull-apart cracker, our reusable keepsake designs offer another option. These are carefully opened rather than pulled apart, allowing the cracker to be used again.

     

    Our Last Words...

    "Find the Right Christmas Cracker Size"

    Whether you're looking for a traditional Standard cracker, a roomier Large design or one of our Extra Large and Jumbo crackers, choosing the right size starts with the gift you want to put inside.

    Remember: check the barrel dimensions, not just the overall cracker length.

    If you're choosing a ready-to-fill cracker, you can then select your own gifts from our range of Christmas cracker fillers.

    If you'd rather make your crackers yourself, explore our Christmas cracker making kits, available in a range of sizes and designs.

    And if you already have a particular gift in mind but aren't sure which cracker will accommodate it, contact us before ordering and we'll be happy to help you work out which size is most suitable.

     

    Christmas Cracker Sizes – Quick Summary

    Small: Best for tiny gifts and simple little surprises.

    Standard: The traditional choice for small gifts and everyday cracker fillers.

    Large: More room for bigger gifts or several small surprises.

    Extra Large: A generous option for substantial gifts and gift collections.

    Jumbo: Our largest option, giving you maximum space for impressive gifts and multiple surprises.

    Whatever size you choose, measuring the gift first and checking the cracker's barrel dimensions is the best way to make sure everything fits.

     

    The Cracker Company, creating memories, one cracker at a time.