how big is your gallbladder

February 22, 2026 • 1 min read

Your gallbladder is usually about the size and shape of a small pear, a few inches long and a bit over an inch wide when full.

Quick Scoop

In adults, a normal gallbladder is roughly 7–10 cm (about 2.8–3.9 inches) long.

Its width/diameter is usually around 3–4 cm (about 1.2–1.6 inches) when it is distended (full).

It can hold about 30–50 mL of bile, which is just a couple of tablespoons.

Visually, many doctors describe it as a small pear tucked under the right side of your liver.

So if you imagine a small pear or your thumb stretched out along your palm, that’s roughly how big your gallbladder is inside your abdomen.

Kumara

Written by Kumara

"The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries." — This philosophy guides my writing and exploration of ideas.