Cake Pan Size Converter
Don't have the pan a recipe calls for? Find out exactly how much to scale the ingredients for the pan you do have.
Cake Pan Size Converter
Scale a recipe from one pan size to another
Your batter will sit shallower in spots while it bakes up — if the layer ends up thinner, start checking 5–10 minutes early.
Apply the multiplier with the recipe scaler.
Cake Pan Size Chart
Pan capacity is what matters when substituting. Surface area tells you how the batter depth changes; volume tells you how much batter fits:
| Pan | Surface Area | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 6-inch round | 28.3 sq in | 4 cups |
| 8-inch round | 50.3 sq in | 6 cups |
| 9-inch round | 63.6 sq in | 8 cups |
| 10-inch round | 78.5 sq in | 10.5 cups |
| 8-inch square | 64 sq in | 8 cups |
| 9-inch square | 81 sq in | 10 cups |
| 9 x 13 inch | 117 sq in | 14 cups |
| 9 x 5 inch loaf | 45 sq in | 8 cups |
| 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf | 38.25 sq in | 6 cups |
| 10-inch bundt | — | 12 cups |
| 12-cup cupcake tin | — | 6 cups |
Common Pan Substitutions
8" round ↔ 9" round
The 9-inch is 26% bigger. Going up: scale by 1¼ or accept a thinner, faster-baking layer. Going down: scale by ¾ or expect a taller cake that needs a few extra minutes.
Two 9" rounds → 9×13
A layer cake recipe for two 9-inch rounds fits a 9×13 sheet pan with no scaling. Bake time is usually similar or slightly longer.
8" square ↔ 9" round
Nearly identical capacity (64 vs 63.6 sq in) — swap these freely with no recipe changes.
9×5 loaf ↔ 8.5×4.5 loaf
The smaller loaf pan holds about 25% less. Quick bread batter for the big pan will overflow the small one — bake the excess as muffins instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a 9-inch pan instead of an 8-inch pan?
Yes, but a 9-inch round has about 26% more surface area than an 8-inch round, so the same batter sits shallower and bakes faster. Either scale the recipe up by a quarter, or start checking for doneness 5-10 minutes early.
What is the equivalent of two 9-inch round pans?
Two 9-inch rounds hold about the same batter as one 9x13-inch pan (both around 14 cups of capacity). This is the classic layer-cake-to-sheet-cake conversion.
How full should I fill a cake pan?
Fill cake pans ½ to ⅔ full. Less than half gives a flat, dense cake; more than two-thirds risks overflow as the batter rises.
How do I adjust baking time for a different pan?
Shallower batter bakes faster, deeper batter slower. As a rule of thumb: same depth = same time; deeper batter = lower the temperature 25°F and add 10-15 minutes; shallower = start checking 5-10 minutes early. Always test with a toothpick.
Can I bake a regular cake recipe in a bundt pan?
Usually, if the volumes match — a standard 10-inch bundt holds 12 cups, about the same as a 9x13 pan. Bundt cakes need a sturdy batter though; very delicate cakes may stick or break on the fluted shape.