Quick answer: Bale net wrap comes in four widths — 48", 51", 64", and 67". Choose 48" / 51" for 4×4 to 4×5 balers, and 64" / 67" for 5×5 to 5×6 round balers. Wider wrap gives more bale-edge coverage; narrower wrap costs less per foot.
Bale net wrap comes in four standard widths: 48", 51", 64", and 67". Choosing the right size isn't complicated — but using the wrong width means poor coverage, wasted wrap, or bales that don't hold together properly.
Here's everything you need to know about net wrap sizes and which one fits your baler.
Net Wrap Sizes at a Glance
| Width | Roll Length | Best For | Common Balers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48" | 9,840 ft | 4-ft chamber balers | Smaller John Deere, Vermeer 504 |
| 51" | 9,840 ft | Standard 4-5 ft balers (most popular) | JD 460/560/569, NH Roll-Belt, Vermeer 605 |
| 64" | 7,000 ft | 5-ft wide chamber balers | JD 569, Case IH RB, larger Vermeer |
| 67" | 7,000 ft | Large 5.5-ft chamber balers | Claas Rollant/Variant, Krone Comprima |
How to Determine Your Net Wrap Size
Your net wrap width is determined by your baler's chamber width — not the bale diameter. Here's how to find it:
- Check your baler manual — It will specify the recommended net wrap width
- Measure your current roll — If you've been using net wrap, measure the width of your current roll
- Measure the chamber — The net wrap should be slightly wider than the bale to ensure full edge coverage
Why Width Matters
- Too narrow: Leaves the edges of the bale exposed — hay falls out, bale loses shape, and moisture gets in from the sides
- Too wide: Excess net wrap folds over the bale face, wasting material and potentially causing feeding issues
- Just right: The net wrap covers the full bale surface with slight overlap on the edges for complete protection
48-Inch Net Wrap
The 48" width is designed for smaller round balers with 4-foot chambers. It's less common today as most modern balers have larger chambers, but it's still the right choice for older or compact balers.
Best for: Compact operations, older balers, 4-ft bale diameter
Roll length: 9,840 ft — the longest per roll, giving you the most bales per roll
51-Inch Net Wrap
The most popular size in the US market. The 51" width fits the majority of round balers from John Deere, New Holland, Vermeer, and Case IH. If you're unsure which size to order, 51" is usually the safe bet for standard 5-ft balers.
Best for: Most standard round balers, 4-5 ft bale diameter
Compatible balers: John Deere 450/460/550/560/569, New Holland 450/460/Roll-Belt, Vermeer 504/605/Rebel, Case IH RB series
64-Inch Net Wrap
The 64" width is for larger balers that produce 5-foot wide bales. It provides extra coverage on the bale edges, which is especially important for silage and high-moisture baling where bales tend to bulge.
Best for: Large chamber balers, silage/haylage operations, 5-ft bale width
Roll length: 7,000 ft — shorter than 48/51" rolls due to the wider material
67-Inch Net Wrap
The 67" width is the largest standard size, designed for European-style large chamber balers. Common with Claas, Krone, and some larger Case IH and Massey Ferguson models.
Best for: Maximum chamber balers, European baler brands, 5.5-ft bale width
Compatible balers: Claas Rollant/Variant series, Krone Comprima/Fortima, Massey Ferguson RB series, Kuhn VB/FB series
64" vs 67" Net Wrap Coverage: Which Is Better?
For a standard 5×6 round bale, 67" net wrap gives you about 1.5" more overhang on each end than 64" wrap. That extra coverage helps in two situations: outdoor storage where edge moisture matters, and high-density bales where the ends bulge slightly. For most round-baler operators making 4×5 or 5×5 bales stored under cover, 64" is the right choice — same hold strength, lower roll cost, and 7,000 ft per roll covers 175–235 bales. Choose 67" if you're running a 5×6 chamber, storing outside, or selling premium horse hay where edge protection earns a price bump.
Net Wrap Width by Baler Brand
John Deere
- JD 450/460 series: 51"
- JD 550/560 series: 51" or 64"
- JD 569: 51" or 64"
New Holland
- Roll-Belt 450/460: 51"
- Roll-Belt 550/560: 51" or 64"
Vermeer
- 504 series: 48" or 51"
- 605 series: 51" or 64"
- Rebel series: 51"
Case IH
- RB 455/465: 51" or 64"
- RB 565: 64"
Roll Length: 9,840 ft vs 7,000 ft
You'll notice that 48" and 51" rolls come in 9,840 ft lengths while 64" and 67" rolls are 7,000 ft. This is because wider net wrap uses more material per linear foot — the total square footage per roll is similar across all sizes.
With XES Extreme, every roll includes an extra 150 ft of bonus footage regardless of size — so you always get a bit more than advertised.
Still Not Sure? We'll Help
Tell us your baler brand and model number, and we'll confirm the right net wrap size. Contact us or email sales@balenets.com.
Baler-specific size guides
Pick the guide for your baler: John Deere 460M, John Deere 535, Vermeer 605M, New Holland BR740. Don't see your model? Use the Bale Net Wrap Size Finder to look it up.
Per-baler net wrap size guides
Looking for the exact wrap that fits your specific baler model? We have dedicated guides for the most common balers in North America:
4-foot chamber balers (48″ or 51″ net wrap)
- John Deere 460M
- John Deere 460R
- John Deere 535
- Vermeer 604M
- New Holland Roll-Belt 460
- Case IH RB565
- Claas Variant 485
5-foot chamber balers (64″ or 67″ net wrap)
Brand-level buyer's guides
Don't see your baler? Use the interactive baler size checker — pick your brand and model and the tool returns the exact wrap width and recommended XES SKU.
Featured photo: Round bales, Hausdülmen, Germany by Dietmar Rabich, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
