When recipes specific a can size rather than a volume size, this table will help you shop or substitute in a recipe.
The American can industry describes the dimensions of cylindrical cans by two three-digit numbers. The first number is the can's diameter and the second its height. In each number, the first digit is the number of whole inches, and the second two digits are the number of sixteenths of an inch. So, for example, a 303 by 407 can would be 3 03/16 inches in diameter and 4 07/16 inches high.
Can sizes change over time, important if you are adapting an older recipe. Prior to 1980's), #303 was the popular size for most fruits and vegetables. Sweetened condensed milk cans now (2004) hold 14 ounces av. (formerly 15); cans of evaporated milk 5 or 12 fluid ounces (formerly 6 or 14½).
Is it OK to store food in an opened can? According to the National Food Processors Association, storing food in an opened can does not pose a health risk if it remains covered. But acidic foods such as tomatoes, pineapple, sauerkraut may erode the inside of the can once exposed to the air and create a metallic-tasting product.
|
American
Can Size |
Weight
|
Cups |
Servings |
Uses |
|
1/4 |
4 oz. |
1/2 |
1 |
Individual
serving size. |
|
3/8 |
6 oz. |
3/4 |
1 |
Individual
serving size. |
|
1/2 |
8 oz. |
1 |
2 |
Fruits, vegetables,
specialties for small families. |
|
1 Picnic |
10 1/2-12 oz. |
1 1/4 to 1 1/3 |
2 - 3 |
Mainly condensed
soups. Some fruits, vegetables,
meat, fish, specialties. |
|
1 tall or square |
16 oz. |
2 |
2 - 3 |
Mainly condensed
soups. Some fruits, vegetables,
meat, fish, specialties. |
|
12 oz. vacuum |
12 oz. |
1 1/2 |
3 - 4 |
Mainly for vacuum
packed corn |
|
No. 211 |
12 oz. |
1 1/2 |
3 - 4 |
|
|
No. 300 |
14-16 oz. (14
oz.-1 lb.) |
1 3/4 |
3 - 4 |
Pork and beans,
baked beans, meat products,
cranberry sauce, blue-berries,
specialties. |
|
No. 303 |
16-17 oz.(1
lb.-1 lb.-1 oz.) |
2 |
4 |
Principal size
for fruits and vegetables.
Also some meat products, ready-to-serve
soups, specialties. |
|
No. 2 |
20 oz.(1 lb.-4
oz.) or 18 fl. oz.(1 pt.-2 fl.
oz.) |
2 1/2 |
5 |
Juices, ready-to-serve
soups, some specialties, pineapple,
apple slices. In older recipes (prior to 1980's), was the popular size for most fruits and vegetables. |
|
No. 2 1/2 |
27-29 oz. (1
lb.-11 oz.- 1 lb.-13 oz.) |
3 1/2 |
7 |
Fruits, some
vegetables (pumpkin, sauerkraut,
spinach and other greens, tomatoes). |
|
No. 3 |
33 1/2 oz. |
4 1/4 |
8 |
|
|
No. 3 squat |
23 oz. |
2 3/4 |
5-6 |
RARE; looks like 1/2 a juice can. Pork and beans. |
|
No. 3 cylinder
or 46 fl. oz |
51 oz. (3 lb.-3
oz.) or 46 fl. oz.(1 qt.-14
fl. oz.) |
5 3/4 |
10 - 12 |
Fruit and vegetable
juices, pork and beans. Institutional
size for condensed soups, some
vegetables.. |
|
No. 5 |
56 oz. |
7 |
14 |
giant tuna |
|
No. 10
3 pound coffee can |
6 1/2 lb. to
7 lb. 5 oz. |
12-13 |
25 |
Institutional
size for fruits, vegetables
and some other foods. |
| Baby food jar |
3-1/2 to 8 ounces |
depends on size |
| Condensed milk |
14 ounces |
1-1/4 cups |
| Evaporated milk |
12 ounces |
scant 1-2/3 cups |
| Frozen juice concentrate |
6 ounces |
3/4 cup |
| 2 pound coffee |
66 fluid ounces |
8 cups |
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