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Baking Pan Sizes in Inches and Centimeters
A 9-inch pan is 22.9 cm, which is why European recipes say 23 cm. When you don't own the pan a recipe calls for, surface area tells you what you can swap in.
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Common pan sizes in centimeters
| Inches | Centimeters | Recipes usually print |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 12.7 | 13 cm |
| 8 | 20.3 | 20 cm |
| 9 | 22.9 | 23 cm |
| 10 | 25.4 | 25 cm |
| 12 | 30.5 | 30 cm |
| 13 | 33.0 | 33 cm |
| 15 | 38.1 | 38 cm |
| 17 | 43.2 | 43 cm |
| 18 | 45.7 | 46 cm |
One inch is exactly 2.54 cm. Multiply inches by 2.54 for centimeters, or divide centimeters by 2.54 for inches.
Surface area and approximate capacity
Surface area is the number to compare when swapping pans, because it controls how thick the batter sits and how long it takes to bake. Capacities are approximate and vary with pan depth and brand.
| Pan | Surface area | Approximate capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 8-inch round | 50.3 sq in | — |
| 9-inch round | 63.6 sq in | — |
| 10-inch round | 78.5 sq in | — |
| 8 × 8 inch square | 64 sq in | about 8 cups |
| 9 × 9 inch square | 81 sq in | about 10 cups |
| 9 × 13 inch rectangle | 117 sq in | about 14 cups |
| 9 × 5 inch loaf | 45 sq in | about 8 cups |
Round pans: area = π × radius squared. A 9-inch pan has a 4.5-inch radius, so 3.14 × 20.25 = 63.6.
Pans that are close enough to swap
- 8 × 8 inch square and 9-inch round. 64 and 63.6 square inches. Interchangeable, with the same bake time to start.
- 9 × 9 inch square and 10-inch round. 81 and 78.5 square inches. Close enough that most cooks never notice.
- 9 × 13 inch and two 8-inch rounds. 117 against 100.6. The 9 × 13 holds a bit more, so the layers come out slightly thinner.
Keeping the same depth matters as much as the area. A deeper batter needs a longer bake at a slightly lower temperature, or the outside sets before the middle cooks through.
Worked example: a 9 × 13 recipe in an 8 × 8 pan
Surface area is 117 square inches for the 9 × 13 and 64 for the 8 × 8. That's a ratio of 0.55, so the 8 × 8 holds a little over half. Halve the recipe, which gives 58.5 square inches of batter coverage against 64 of pan, and bake at the same temperature. Start checking for doneness at about three-quarters of the original time, since a thinner batter in a smaller pan cooks faster.
Going the other way, a recipe for an 8 × 8 pan will not fill a 9 × 13 properly. Double it instead, and expect to reduce the bake time slightly because it spreads thinner.
How to check a pan's size
Measure inside edge to inside edge, across the top, not the outer rim. Measure depth from the inside bottom to the top rim. Pans are often stamped with a size on the bottom, but those numbers are nominal and sometimes off by half an inch, so a tape measure is the reliable answer.
Frequently asked questions
How many centimeters is a 9-inch pan?
22.9 cm, which recipes round to 23 cm. A 9 × 13 inch pan is 23 × 33 cm.
Can I use a 9-inch round instead of an 8 × 8 square?
Yes. The areas are 63.6 and 64 square inches, so the batter depth and bake time stay about the same.
What size is a standard loaf pan?
9 × 5 inches (23 × 13 cm) is the standard US loaf pan. An 8.5 × 4.5 inch pan is also sold as a standard size, and holds a little less batter.
How do I convert inches to centimeters?
Multiply by 2.54. An 8-inch pan is 8 × 2.54 = 20.32 cm.
How many inches is 20 cm?
7.87 inches, so a 20 cm pan is close to an 8-inch pan.