What Vacuum Bag Do I Need? How to Find the Right One

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Buying vacuum bags looks easy until the box shows up and the collar doesn't fit. The good news: you can almost always pin down the exact bag in a few minutes if you know where to look. Here's how, brand by brand.

The golden rule: the bag depends on the exact model, not the brand or how the vacuum looks. Two nearly identical vacuums from the same brand can take different bags.

Where to find the model label

Every vacuum has a rating label with the model number and, often, a type or serial code. It's the most reliable information you have. Where it sits depends on the type of vacuum:

Upright: on the back of the body, near the bag door, or on the bottom of the base.
Canister: underneath, or inside the bag compartment (open the lid and check the rim or floor).
Wet/dry shop vac: on the motor head (the top part), usually on the back or underside. The drum rarely carries the label.
Robot with a self-empty dock: the bag belongs to the dock, not the robot. Look under or behind the dock.

Snap a photo of the label with your phone. Next time you won't have to flip the vacuum over.

Where to look, brand by brand

Hoover and Kenmore

The model number is on a sticker on the back or bottom of the vacuum. Both brands name bags by letter "type" (for example, Hoover Type Y or Type A, Kenmore Type C or Type Q). The same letter covers many models, but similar-looking machines can use different types, so always match the type to your model number. Kenmore model numbers often include a long prefix with a period; copy the whole thing.

Shop-Vac and other wet/dry vacs

Check the label on the motor head for the model number and the tank size in gallons. Wet/dry bags are usually sold by tank size and model family, so both details matter. Kärcher is the same idea: its Kärcher WD 3 bags are a different size from those of the WD 4, WD 5 and WD 6. Browse more in wet/dry vacuums.

Miele

Open the bag compartment lid: the label is there or on the bottom. Miele uses letters for bag types (GN, FJM and others). The Complete range, such as the Miele Complete C3, takes GN; the smaller Compact range takes FJM.

Bosch, Electrolux and other European brands

Bosch canisters list an E-Nr. code on the label; many use the Type G ALL bag, but not all. Electrolux and some Philips models share the s-bag format.

Robots: Roomba, Roborock and others

The classic mistake is searching by robot. What matters is the self-empty base. The Roomba i7+ Clean Base uses a different bag from some newer bases with mop washing, and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra dock has its own bag.

Summary table by brand

Brand	Where's the label	Typical bag naming
Hoover	Back or bottom of the vacuum	Letter types (Type Y, Type A…)
Kenmore	Back or bottom, long model number	Letter types (Type C, Type Q…)
Shop-Vac	Motor head	By tank size and bag type
Kärcher	Motor head, back or underside	Part no. 2.863-xxx.0 plus KFI code (KFI 357…)
Miele	Bag compartment or bottom	Letters: GN, FJM and others
Bosch / Electrolux	Underneath or in the compartment	Type G ALL / s-bag
Robots (iRobot, Roborock…)	Under the dock	A specific bag for each dock

Read the code on the old bag

If you still have the used bag or a spare, look at the cardboard or plastic collar, the stiff piece with the hole where the air comes in. That's where manufacturers print the reference: the Hoover or Kenmore type, the Miele letter, the Kärcher part number or the format name.

One catch: if your old bag was a compatible one, the code may belong to the bag maker, not the vacuum maker. In that case, check the box for "replaces" or "fits" and the original part number it lists.

Part numbers vs bag "types"

There are two ways to name a bag, and it pays to tell them apart:

OEM part number: the manufacturer's exact code (for example, 2.863-314.0 for Kärcher). This is the safest search term.
Type or format: a short name covering many models: Hoover Type Y, Kenmore Type C, Miele GN or FJM, Bosch G ALL, Kärcher KFI 357, the Electrolux s-bag.

If you have both, search by part number and confirm the type matches. Any decent compatible bag lists the original part number it replaces. Torn between the two? Read our guide to OEM vs compatible bags.

Universal bags: a last resort

"Universal" bags fit with a trim-to-size collar or adapters. They'll get you out of a jam, but there are trade-offs:

The seal is rarely as tight as a model-specific bag, so fine dust can reach the motor filter.
The shape doesn't fill the compartment well, so usable capacity tends to be lower.
Some vacuums have a check that won't let the lid close without the correct bag.

Use them only for older machines where no specific bag, OEM or compatible, is available anymore.

Common mistakes

Going by letter alone. Hoover and Kenmore reuse similar letters across bag styles. Match the letter to your model number.
Mixing up Kärcher WD 3 and WD 4/5/6. Same family, different bag sizes. They don't swap.
Mixing up Miele GN and FJM. They look alike, but size and collar differ.
Buying for the wrong robot generation. Brands change docks and bags between generations. Check the dock model.
Forgetting the filter. Many packs include a motor or exhaust filter. Our guide on how often to change the bag covers when to swap it.

Quick checklist

Find the label and photograph the model number and any codes.
If you have a used bag, note the code on the collar.
Look up your model on BolsasPro or browse all brands.
Make sure the bag you buy lists the same original reference.

With the model number and the reference in hand, there's very little room for error.

Most searched models

Frequently asked questions

Where is the model number on my vacuum?+

On the rating label: on the back or bottom of uprights, underneath or inside the bag compartment on canisters, on the motor head of wet/dry vacs, and under the dock for robots.

Are all Hoover Type Y bags the same?+

Bags sold as the same type are meant to be interchangeable for the models listed. The risk is assuming a letter fits your vacuum without checking your model number against the list.

What if the label is worn off?+

Read the code on the collar of a used bag, find the manual or original box, or compare the compartment and collar shape with photos of models from the same brand.

Do universal bags fit any vacuum?+

They can be adapted to many, but the seal is usually weaker and the capacity smaller. Treat them as a stopgap.

For robots, does the bag depend on the robot or the dock?+

On the self-empty dock. Different robots can share a bag if they use the same dock, and vice versa.

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