Both face towels and hand towels are small towels, typically used in a bathroom or powder room. Face towels are generally interchangeable with washcloths, which are small, square towels intended for washing your face or removing makeup. A face towel is usually smaller than a hand towel, generally measuring about 12” x 12.” Since they’re intended to be used on your visage, face towels are generally crafted of ultra-soft materials like terry cloth cotton or microfiber.
In contrast, a hand towel is slightly larger than a face towel and is usually rectangular in shape, not square. They usually measure about 15”x 18,” give or take a few inches. Often made of terry cloth as well, hand towels’ primary purpose is to dry your hands after washing them. Alternatively, they can be used in ways similar to a washcloth or face towel. Hand towels are usually hung on a towel ring or bar near a sink.
