Size Guide
By The Case Place Team · Updated October 2026 · 6 min read
"What size Pelican case do I need?" is the question we get asked most. Here are the most popular Pelican Protector cases in one chart, with real interior dimensions, so you can size a case to your gear without a dozen browser tabs. Every model in the chart is in stock at The Case Place.
TL;DR — Quick Answer
Find your largest item's length, width and height, add roughly 1–2 inches for foam, and choose the smallest case whose interior clears it. The 1520 is the go-to handheld, the 1620 is the go-to rolling case, and the 1700/1720 cover long guns.
Pelican Protector Case Sizes (Inches)
| Model | Interior (L x W x D) | Exterior (L x W x D) | Style | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1150 | 8.29 x 5.79 x 3.75 | 9.44 x 7.80 x 4.29 | Handheld | Phones, GPS, small electronics |
| 1200 | 9.31 x 7.13 x 4.12 | 10.67 x 9.75 x 4.86 | Handheld | Compact pistol, radios, hard drives |
| 1500 | 16.75 x 11.18 x 6.12 | 18.50 x 14.06 x 6.93 | Handheld | Pistols, DSLR kits, tools |
| 1520 | 18.06 x 12.89 x 6.72 | 19.78 x 15.77 x 7.41 | Handheld | Multi-pistol, drones, camera kits |
| 1550 | 18.63 x 14.18 x 7.72 | 20.66 x 17.20 x 8.40 | Handheld | Larger camera kits, instruments |
| 1600 | 21.51 x 16.54 x 7.99 | 24.39 x 19.36 x 8.79 | Handheld (large) | Flat equipment, laptops + gear |
| 1610 | 21.78 x 16.69 x 10.62 | 24.83 x 19.69 x 11.88 | Rolling | Camera/video kits, tools |
| 1620 | 21.48 x 16.42 x 12.54 | 24.76 x 19.57 x 13.90 | Rolling | Drones, lighting, medical, deep gear |
| 1650 | 28.57 x 17.52 x 10.65 | 31.59 x 20.47 x 12.45 | Rolling | Long kits, tripods, instruments |
| 1700 | 35.76 x 13.73 x 5.35 | 38.47 x 16.42 x 6.14 | Long, rolling | AR-15s and carbines |
| 1720 | 41.80 x 13.58 x 5.33 | 44.48 x 16.07 x 6.25 | Long, rolling | Scoped rifles, shotguns |
Dimensions per Pelican's published specs.
How Pelican Protector Numbers Work
Protector cases use four-digit model numbers. The first two digits roughly track the size class: 11xx/12xx are small, 14xx/15xx medium, 16xx large rolling, 17xx long cases. The last two digits separate depth and layout variants within a class (for example the 1600, 1610 and 1620 share a footprint but get deeper).
Three Sizes That Cover Most Buyers
Pelican 1520: The Best All-Around Handheld
With an 18 x 12.9 x 6.7 in interior, the 1520 fits a full pistol set-up, a mid-size drone, or a camera body with three or four lenses. It's also small enough to carry with one hand all day.
In Stock at The Case Place
$79 $159 list · Used, Grade A/B · Free shipping (lower 48)
Used, Grade A/B. Inspected and fully functional, and one of our best-value handheld Pelicans.
Shop the Pelican 1520 Protector →Pelican 1620: The Best All-Around Rolling Case
The 1620's 12.5-inch depth makes it the most flexible rolling Pelican. Compare it with its shallower sibling in our 1610 vs. 1620 guide.
In Stock at The Case Place
Pelican 1620 Protector (New, Open Box)
$169 $319.95 list · New - Open Box · Free shipping (lower 48)
Brand new and never used, with pre-cut foam. Deep stock and ready to ship.
Shop the Pelican 1620 Protector →Pelican 1650: Long and Rolling
A 28.6-inch-long interior makes the 1650 the pick for tripods, light stands, long tools and instruments that won't fit a 1620.
In Stock at The Case Place
$242 $339.95 list · Used, Grade A/B · Free shipping (lower 48)
Used, Grade A/B, with foam. A 28.57 x 17.52 x 10.65 in interior.
Shop the Pelican 1650 Protector →💡 Pro Tip: Need to size a long gun case? Measure overall length with the stock extended if that's how you'll store it, and compare to the 1700 (35.76 in) and 1720 (41.8 in) interiors. Our 1700 vs. 1720 guide covers which rifles fit.
Prefer push-button latches? See the Pelican Storm size chart.