In short:
- a standard 1.55 oz Hershey bar is about 5.4 in. long, 2.25 in. wide and 0.25 in. thick, so it measures about 5 in. around;
- a wrapper that goes all the way around it needs to be about 5.3 x 5.25 in., which leaves a small overlap at the back;
- for mini candy bars, use a 2.5 x 1.563 in. label.
Both print at home on adhesive label sheets with a free Canva or Word template, so there's no cutting and no glue.
The Hershey bar wrapper size question comes up every wedding season, and the internet's answers range from "about 5 x 6" to a ruler photo. Here's the exact math, the size that fits a standard 1.55 oz bar, what to do with king size and mini bars, and how to print wrappers at home that look like they came from a shop.
Custom candy bar wrappers are one of the easiest favors to make well: the chocolate is inexpensive, the wrapper does all the work, and guests actually take them home. The only part that goes wrong is the size.
How to work out a candy bar wrapper size
A wrapper has two measurements, and neither of them is the size of the bar's face.
- Width (the wrap): how far it is around the bar. Add the bar's width and thickness, then double it. For a standard Hershey bar that's (2.25 + 0.25) x 2 = 5 in. Add about a quarter inch so the ends overlap at the back.
- Height: the bar's length, or slightly less so the ends of the original wrapper tuck neatly out of sight.
So a standard Hershey bar takes a wrapper of about 5.3 in. tall by 5.25 in. around, which is exactly the size of the Dashleigh chocolate candy bar labels.
Hershey bar dimensions and the wrapper that fits
| Bar | Approximate size | Around the bar | Wrapper to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Hershey bar, 1.55 oz | 5.4 x 2.25 x 0.25 in. | About 5 in. | 5.3 x 5.25 in., a full wrap with a small overlap |
| King size, 2.6 oz | About 6 x 2.5 x 0.25 in. | About 5.5 in. | 5.3 x 5.25 in. covers the front and sides, with a narrow gap at the back |
| Snack size and miniature bars | Varies by brand | Measure | 2.5 x 1.563 in., fits most mini candy bars |
Our go-to is the 5.3 x 5.25 in. candy bar label on a standard 1.55 oz bar. It wraps all the way around, the ends meet at the back, and the original foil and paper stay sealed underneath. It comes 2 to a sheet, 20 labels on 10 sheets of uncoated white paper, with template #8402 for Canva, Word, Pages and PDF.
Bar sizes change slightly between brands and over time, and almond bars run a little thicker. Before you print a full batch, wrap a strip of paper around the bar you bought and check it against the numbers above.
Where the design goes on the wrapper
A 5.25 in. wrap splits into four panels, and only one of them is the front.
- Front, about 2.25 in. wide, in the middle of the label: names, date, the main graphic.
- Two sides, about a quarter inch each: leave these plain or carry a color band across them.
- Back, split in two by the seam: a short thank-you, a hashtag or your logo. Keep text clear of the overlap.
Before you design, fold a plain-paper test print around a bar and mark the front with a pencil, so the main design lands where the guest will see it.
How to make candy bar wrappers at home
- Open the template. Go to template #8402 and open it in Canva, Word, Pages or PDF. New to Canva? Our guide to designing your labels in Canva walks through it with screenshots.
- Design one wrapper, then copy it. Put the main design on the front panel and keep text at least an eighth of an inch from the edges. Each sheet holds two wrappers, so copy the finished design to the second spot.
- Print a test on plain paper. Print at 100% (not "fit to page"), hold the test over a label sheet against a window, and check that it lines up. If it doesn't, see how to print labels that line up.
- Print the labels. The uncoated white labels work in inkjet and laser printers. Let inkjet prints dry for a few minutes.
- Wrap the bar. Leave the original wrapper on. Center the front panel on the front of the bar, press it down, then fold the label around the sides and smooth it across the back so the seam overlaps.
Mini candy bar wrappers
For place settings, candy buffets and treat bags, the mini candy bar labels are 2.5 x 1.563 in. with rounded corners, 18 to a sheet and 180 to a pack, template #8401. Mini bars vary more than full-size bars, so measure one first: the label should be a little shorter than the bar and long enough to wrap the front with the ends folding onto the back.
Matching full-size and mini wrappers is the easiest way to make a favor table look planned. The Party Favor Label Set includes both sizes plus 3 x 1.5 in. mini bottle labels, priced below the three packs bought separately.
Candy bar wrapper ideas
- Weddings: names and date on the front, "Thanks for celebrating with us" on the back.
- Baby showers: "Oh baby!" or the baby's name, in the shower's colors.
- Birthdays and graduations: the age or the class year, big and bold.
- Holidays and teacher gifts: a short message and a name on each one.
- Businesses: your logo for client gifts, trade show tables and order inserts.
Want a head start? The free label design directory has free designs you can edit and print, and the candy bar wrapper templates page has the blank downloads.
Selling candy bars with your own wrapper?
A custom wrapper covers the maker's ingredients, allergen and nutrition information. For favors and gifts that's fine. If you sell the bars, the information still has to be on the outside. Put it on the back panel or a small back label; see what to put on a product label.
The recommendation, once more: a standard 1.55 oz Hershey bar takes the 5.3 x 5.25 in. candy bar label, and mini bars take the 2.5 x 1.563 in. label. Both have free templates and print on a home printer.
