Cake Pan Size Conversion Chart
Swap round for square, inches for centimeters, and find the pan that holds the same batter.
Substitute by area, not by the number on the pan. An 8-inch square pan holds the same batter as a 9-inch round pan, because both have about 64 square inches of base, and a 9-inch square holds roughly what two 8-inch rounds do.
By Piero Nanni · Last checked
Matching rows are highlighted in the tables below.
A recipe specifies a pan because it is really specifying a batter depth. Pour a 9-inch round cake into an 8-inch round and the batter sits 27 percent deeper, so the outside sets before the middle cooks, and it will very likely rise over the rim. The number on the pan is a diameter or a side length, and neither scales the way the volume does.
The rule that works is to match base area. A round pan’s area is πr², a square pan’s is the side squared, and if two pans are within about 10 percent of each other you can swap them with no change beyond a few minutes of baking time. Beyond that, adjust the temperature or the quantity rather than hoping.
Round pans
Capacity is the volume filled to the brim; batter should fill about two thirds of it.
| Inches | Centimeters | Base area (sq in) | Capacity (cups) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 15 | 28 | 4 |
| 7 | 18 | 38 | 5.5 |
| 8 | 20 | 50 | 7 |
| 9 | 23 | 64 | 8.5 |
| 10 | 25 | 79 | 11 |
| 11 | 28 | 95 | 12 |
| 12 | 30 | 113 | 14 |
Square and rectangular pans
| Inches | Centimeters | Base area (sq in) | Capacity (cups) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 × 8 | 20 × 20 | 64 | 8 |
| 9 × 9 | 23 × 23 | 81 | 10 |
| 10 × 10 | 25 × 25 | 100 | 12 |
| 11 × 7 | 28 × 18 | 77 | 10 |
| 9 × 13 | 23 × 33 | 117 | 14 |
| 10 × 15 | 25 × 38 | 150 | 10 (jelly roll) |
| 12 × 17 | 30 × 43 | 204 | 12 (sheet) |
Loaf, tube and specialty pans
| Pan | Inches | Centimeters | Capacity (cups) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small loaf | 8.5 × 4.5 | 21 × 11 | 6 |
| Standard loaf | 9 × 5 | 23 × 13 | 8 |
| Tube / angel food | 9 diameter | 23 | 12 |
| Tube / angel food | 10 diameter | 25 | 16 |
| Bundt | 9 diameter | 23 | 9 |
| Bundt | 10 diameter | 25 | 12 |
| Springform | 9 diameter | 23 | 10 |
| Springform | 10 diameter | 25 | 12 |
| Pie plate | 9 diameter | 23 | 4 |
| Muffin cup | 2.75 diameter | 7 | 0.5 each |
The substitutions that work
An 8-inch square and a 9-inch round both have about 64 square inches of base, so they are the cleanest swap in baking. A 9-inch square at 81 square inches stands in for a 10-inch round at 79. An 11 × 7 at 77 square inches also fits that pair.
Two 8-inch rounds hold 100 square inches between them, close to a single 9 × 13 at 117, so a two-layer recipe becomes a sheet cake with a slightly thinner crumb. Going the other way, a 9 × 13 recipe splits neatly into two 9-inch rounds with a little batter left over.
Adjusting time and temperature
A shallower bake in a larger pan cooks faster: check 5 to 10 minutes earlier than the recipe says. A deeper bake in a smaller pan needs longer, and often needs the oven dropped by about 15 °C so the outside does not set before the centre rises.
Never fill a pan more than two thirds. Cake batter roughly doubles, and the difference between a cake that domes and one that runs over the side is usually the fill level rather than the recipe.
Measuring an unmarked pan
Measure across the top from inside edge to inside edge, not across the base and not over the rim. Pans taper, so the base of a "9-inch" pan is often 8.5 inches, and measuring the wrong one puts you a size out.
To find capacity directly, fill the pan with water a cup at a time until it reaches the brim. That figure is more reliable than any chart, because pan depth varies between makers even when the diameter does not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a 9-inch round instead of an 8-inch square?
Yes. Both have about 64 square inches of base, so the batter depth stays the same.
What is a 9 × 13 pan in cm?
A 9 × 13 inch pan is 23 × 33 cm and holds about 14 cups.
How do I convert a two-layer recipe to one pan?
Two 8-inch rounds total about 100 square inches, close to a 9 × 13 at 117. Expect a slightly thinner cake and check it early.
How full should I fill a cake pan?
About two thirds. Cake batter roughly doubles in the oven, and a fuller pan overflows.
How do I measure a cake pan?
Across the top, inside edge to inside edge. Pans taper, so measuring the base gives a smaller number.