LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE are all polyethylene, the most widely used plastic for bags and films. They are made from the same building block, ethylene, but the way the polymer chains are arranged changes how the film feels, looks and performs. Knowing the difference helps you ask for the right bag and avoid paying for thickness you don't need.
Comparison table
| Property | LDPE | LLDPE | HDPE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Low-density polyethylene | Linear low-density polyethylene | High-density polyethylene |
| Density (g/cm³) | about 0.910–0.940 | about 0.915–0.925 | 0.941 and above |
| Chain structure | Many long branches | Straight chain with short branches | Mostly straight, little branching |
| Feel | Soft, smooth | Soft, stretchy | Crisp, crinkly, stiff |
| Clarity | Good | Fair to good | Translucent |
| Stiffness and tensile strength | Lower | Medium | Highest |
| Puncture and tear resistance | Good | Best | Lower once punctured |
| Stretch before breaking | High | Highest | Low |
| Recycling code | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Typical bag uses | Clear display bags, garment bags, liners | Stretch film, heavy-duty bags, liners | Garbage bags, carrier bags, thin lightweight bags |
Values are typical ranges for each resin family. Exact properties depend on the grade, any blend, and the film thickness.
LDPE: soft, clear and flexible
LDPE's long, branched chains can't pack tightly together, which makes the film soft, flexible and clear. It seals easily and looks good, so it suits bags where the product should be visible or the bag should feel soft in the hand. On its own it is less puncture-resistant than LLDPE, so heavier or sharper contents usually call for a thicker film or an LLDPE blend.
See our LLDPE & LDPE plastic bags.
LLDPE: strength and stretch at a lower thickness
LLDPE has a straighter chain with short side branches. That gives it noticeably higher tensile strength, puncture resistance and stretch than LDPE at the same thickness. In practice this means a bag can often be made thinner, using less material, while still carrying the load. It is also the usual resin for stretch film, because it can be stretched far beyond its original length and still cling to itself.
HDPE: stiff, strong and lightweight
HDPE's mostly unbranched chains pack closely, giving a denser, stiffer film with the highest tensile strength of the three. HDPE bags feel crisp and make a rustling sound, and they look translucent rather than clear. Because they are strong at low thickness, they are common for garbage bags and other lightweight bags where clarity isn't needed. Once an HDPE film is punctured, a tear can run more easily than in LDPE or LLDPE.
See our HDPE / LDPE bags.
How to choose
- The product must be visible: LDPE, or an LDPE-rich blend.
- Heavy, sharp or bulky contents, or rough handling: more LLDPE in the blend, or a thicker film.
- You want the lightest bag for the job and clarity doesn't matter: HDPE.
- Wrapping pallets or bundles: LLDPE stretch film.
- Not sure: tell us what you're packing, its weight and how the bags are handled, and we'll recommend a material and thickness. You can also use our thickness and weight calculator to compare options.
