To swap one cake pan for another, match the volume. An 8 x 2-inch round holds about 6 cups, a 9 x 2-inch round about 8 cups, an 8×8 square about 8 cups, a 9×9 square about 10 cups and a 13 x 9-inch rectangle about 14 cups. The chart below lists the common cake pans so you can pick a substitute and scale the batter.
Cake Pan Conversion Chart
| Pan | Size in inches | Approximate volume |
|---|---|---|
| Round | 6 x 2 | 4 cups |
| Round | 8 x 1 1/2 | 4 cups |
| Round | 8 x 2 | 6 cups |
| Round | 9 x 1 1/2 | 6 cups |
| Round | 9 x 2 | 8 cups |
| Round | 10 x 2 | 11 cups |
| Square | 8 x 8 x 2 | 8 cups |
| Square | 9 x 9 x 2 | 10 cups |
| Square | 10 x 10 x 2 | 12 cups |
| Rectangle | 11 x 7 x 2 | 10 cups |
| Rectangle | 13 x 9 x 2 | 14 cups |
| Loaf | 9 x 5 x 3 | 8 cups |
| Tube | 10 x 4 | 16 cups |
The numbers are approximate capacities to the brim. Cakes that rise should fill the pan about halfway to two-thirds.
The Conversion Formula
Divide the volume of the pan you want to use by the volume of the pan in the recipe. The answer is the multiple of the recipe you need to keep the batter at the same depth. For example, a recipe for a 9 x 2-inch round (8 cups) going into a 13 x 9-inch pan (14 cups) needs a bit under twice the batter.
Easy Swaps That Need No Changes
- 9-inch round and 8×8 square: nearly equal in floor area (63.5 and 64 square inches), so batter, time and temperature stay the same.
- 8 x 2-inch round and 8 x 1 1/2-inch round: check the depth. The deeper pan holds more.
- 9 x 2-inch round and 8 x 8 x 2-inch square: both hold about 8 cups.
Adjusting Time and Temperature
A larger pan makes the batter shallower, so the cake bakes sooner and can dry out. Shorten the time and, if needed, raise the oven temperature slightly. A smaller pan makes the batter deeper, so it needs more time at a slightly lower temperature to keep the outside from browning before the center sets.
Use a toothpick in the center, and start checking before the shortest time in the recipe.
Using Extra Batter
If a recipe makes more batter than your pan can hold safely, bake the extra as cupcakes. Fill the cups about two-thirds full and check them early, since cupcakes bake much faster than a full cake.
Measuring Your Own Pan
Pans labeled with the same size can differ. Measure the inside edge to inside edge, and measure the depth with a ruler held straight up from the bottom. To find the volume, pour in water by the cupful to the brim and count.
Quick Answers
Can I use a 9-inch round for an 8-inch recipe? Yes, but the cake will be shallower and bake faster.
Which pan holds the most? In this chart the 10 x 4-inch tube pan, at 16 cups.
Is a loaf pan a cake pan? It can be, but it is deeper and narrower, so the cake bakes longer.
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