A 9-inch round cake pan and an 8×8-inch square pan are close enough in size to swap without changing the recipe. A 9-inch round has about 63.5 square inches of floor, and an 8 x 8-inch square has 64, so batter depth, baking time and oven temperature stay about the same.
Here is how the two pans compare, when the swap works, and what to watch for.
9-Inch Round vs 8×8 Square: Side by Side
| Pan | Floor area | Approximate volume |
|---|---|---|
| 9 x 2-inch round | 63.5 square inches | 8 cups |
| 8 x 8 x 2-inch square | 64 square inches | 8 cups |
| 9 x 1 1/2-inch round | 63.5 square inches | 6 cups |
| 8 x 8 x 1 1/2-inch square | 64 square inches | 6 cups |
The 2-inch-deep versions hold the same volume, so the same amount of batter fills both to the same height. Check the depth of your own pans, because a shallow 1 1/2-inch pan holds less.
Do You Need to Change Anything?
Usually not. Because the area is almost identical, you can bake the same amount of batter for the time and temperature in the recipe. Start testing at the earliest time given.
- Time and temperature: keep the recipe’s numbers.
- Batter amount: keep it the same.
- Doneness: use a toothpick in the center. Square corners brown a little faster than a round edge, so watch the corners.
Where the Swap Works Best
Cakes, brownies, cornbread, bar cookies and baked oatmeal all move between these pans easily. Layer cakes written for two 9-inch rounds are not a direct swap, because one 8×8 square holds only one layer’s worth of batter.
What Changes in the Result
A square pan gives you square slices and four sharp corners, while a round pan gives wedges. Lining a square pan with parchment that overhangs two sides makes it easy to lift the cake out. For a round cake you plan to turn out and frost, cut a parchment circle for the bottom.
If the Depth Does Not Match
If your new pan makes the batter shallower than the recipe expects, the cake will bake faster and dry out more, so shorten the bake and raise the oven slightly if needed. If it makes the batter deeper, bake longer and lower the temperature a little so the edges do not over-brown.
Quick Answers
Can I use an 8×8 pan instead of a 9-inch round? Yes. The floor area is nearly the same.
Will the cake be taller or shorter? About the same height when both pans are 2 inches deep.
What about a 9×9 square? A 9×9 has more area than a 9-inch round, so the cake will be a little shallower and bake a bit sooner.
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