How many quarts can a 9×13 pan hold? A pan of standard height will hold approximately 3.75 quarts (3.55 liters), although the exact volume can vary depending on the depth of the dish.
When my daughter asks why we need to learn math, I have her help me cook dinner. Inevitably, we have to crunch numbers. Cooking involves plenty of math, especially when making conversions and calculating volume.
For example, many recipes require a dish of a certain volume. This volume is measured in quarts or liters. But how many quarts does a 9×13 baking dish hold? Can you fit your favorite casserole in a 9×13 pan?
In this article, you’ll find out how many quarts a 9×13 pan can hold. You’ll also find more information about common pan sizes, alternatives to a 9×13 pan, and things for home cooks to consider when buying a casserole dish.
Ready to get started? Keep reading to learn more.
Contents
How Many Quarts Does a 9×13 Baking Dish Hold?
A 9×13 pan should hold anywhere from 3.5 to 3.75 quarts (3.31 to 3.55 liters) of volume. This assumes the pan has a standard height of around 2 inches.
However, the height of the pan can affect the maximum quarts of volume. For example, a deep casserole dish might hold over four quarts, whereas an extra shallow dish of the same size might only hold three quarts.
It’s also important to remember that you rarely fill a dish to its maximum capacity. However, it’s best to follow a recipe’s suggested volume. The capacity could affect the recipe outcome when cooking and baking.
Some recipes, such as brownies, bake faster if they’re in a larger pan than recommended. The baked goods will also be thicker or thinner, depending on the size of the pan. You’ll want to adjust the baking time to reflect the size of the baking dish.
Guide to Pan Sizes
For a quick reference guide to common pan sizes and their quarts measurement volume, use the table below:
| Quarts Measurement Volume | Volume (U.S. Standard Cups) |
| 8-inch square pans | 1 quart (4 cups) |
| 9-inch round cake pan | 2 quarts (8 cups) |
| 9-inch springform pan | 2.5 quart (10 cups) |
| 9×5 bread pan | 2 quarts (8 cups) |
| 10-inch tube pan | 4 quarts (16 cups) |
| 10-inch bundt pan | 3 quarts (12 cups) |
If you have a pan that isn’t listed here, keep reading for a method to measure your pan’s capacity.
Why Choose a 9×13 Baking Dish?
A 9×13 baking dish can be one of the most multi-purpose pieces in your kitchen. I use mine multiple times a week for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert recipes.
Not only that, but many recipes are specifically designed for this size of pan. It’s large enough to feed a family, but it’s small enough to fit in almost any oven without problems.
You can use the pan for baking potatoes, veggies, chicken, and fish. I also use mine for enchiladas, casseroles, brownie recipes, cakes, and layered dishes.
You have a few options when it comes to buying a 9×13 pan. If you are willing to spend a bit more than your budget, you should invest in an enameled iron baking dish. These retain heat quite well and can also be used right on the stovetop.
However, if you want to ensure you can use your pan for years, you can’t beat Pyrex. Plus, the pan is thick enough to handle a wide range of temperatures than ceramic baking dishes.
Put simply, Pyrex baking dishes can take a lot of beating, which can come in handy if you’re hard on your bakeware!
Is a 9×13 Pan Always a Glass Baking Dish?
No. A 9×13 baking pan can come in a variety of materials. Metal baking dishes are quite common, as well as clear glass baking dishes. I personally use my Pyrex casserole dish regularly for almost anything, but the right pan for you depends on your personal cooking habits.
Is a 9×13 Pan the Same as a 13×9 Pan?
You’ve probably seen recipes call for a 13×9 pan as well as 9×13 pans. You might be wondering, is there a difference? It’s natural to second-guess yourself, especially if you like to follow recipes to a tee.
I’ve got good news. You don’t have to worry, a 9×13 pan and a 13×9 pan are the same thing. The slight difference just comes from whether a person says the length or the width first. In either case, the two pans will hold the same volume.
How Many Cups Can a 9×13 Pan Hold?
A 9×13 baking pan is a versatile baking dish that can be used for a wide range of recipes. But you need to know exactly how much food your rectangular dish can hold.
I gave you an average capacity of 3.75 quarts (3.55 liters), but those measurements depend on a standard height of two inches.
If you’re unsure whether your baking dish is “standard,” you can always calculate the capacity yourself. Simply pour one cup of water into the pan at a time until the pan is full. Count the cups as you go, and the total number of cups is the volume.
To find the ounces, multiply the number of cups by eight. To find the quarts, divide the number of cups by four. Use the simple equations below to help you do the math:
U.S. Standard Cups
- 1 cup= 8 ounces
- 4 cups= 1 quart
How Many Ounces Are in a 9×13 Baking Dish?
The exact measurements might vary, depending on which measurement standard you use. However, for our purposes, we’ll use the U.S. standard, which measures each cup at 8 ounces.
Since a 9×13 pan holds approximately 15 cups, we can safely assume that a 9×13 baking dish holds 120 ounces.
Is a 3-Quart Casserole Dish a 9×13 Pan?
A 3-quart casserole and 9×13 pan are the same baking dishes. Although a 9×13 pan can technically hold more than three quarts, you don’t typically fill pans to the very top. If a recipe calls for dish of three quarts, you can use a 9×13 pan without worry.
Can a 9×13 Dish Hold 4 Quarts?
Unfortunately, no. A 9×13 baking dish will only hold approximately 3.75 quarts of volume. If you need a dish that can hold that many quarts, I would suggest a larger dish, like a 14×10 rectangular pan.
What Are the Dimensions of a 2-Quart Baking Dish?
I’ve had recipes call for a 2-quart baking dish. When this happens, you have two options. You can use a square 8-inch glass baking dish or you can use round baking dishes that measure 9×2 inches. Each of these dishes can hold two quarts of volume.
9×13 Baking Dishes: Things to Consider
Material
9×13 pans come in different materials. The most common material is glass. However, metal baking dishes are also easy to find. You’ll find some in stainless steel or even carbon steel, but more common are aluminum nonstick pans.
Another option that’s increasingly popular is silicone. If you like the classics, an enameled cast iron pan is always a great pick, as well.
Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The material won’t affect the quart volume of the baking dish, but the specific design could affect how well it holds the weight of the food. For instance, three quarts of cake batter weighs less than a sausage breakfast casserole. For a heavier recipe, you would want a glass or metal pan over a silicone pan.
Another thing the material affects is the ease of cleaning. An enameled or glass baking dish is tougher to hand wash than a non-stick or silicone dish, but most of these are dishwasher-safe.
If you like to stick your baking ware in the dishwasher, I’d suggest a glass or enameled 9×13 pan. With any pan, I would avoid abrasive cleaners and stick with mild soap and a soft cloth.
Looking for glass bakeware? Find the best glass pans for baking.
Oven, Microwave, Freezer Safety
A 9×13 baking dish is highly versatile, but it’s helpful if you can use the pan in the oven, microwave, and even put it in the freezer.
A rectangular 9×13 Pyrex dish is microwave-safe, oven-safe, and freezer-safe. You do need to follow certain precautions, but you can read more about using Pyrex in the microwave.
A nonstick metal pan will go in the oven, and it’s freezer-safe, as well. However, you cannot use a metal baking dish in the microwave.
It’s better if the 9×13 baking dish can handle high temperatures. Some food requires high heat in the oven, so the best choice is a 9×13 pan that can handle temps 450°F/230°C or higher. Glass and metal pans will retain heat and keep food warm for longer. But be careful and use oven mitts when pulling these pans out of a hot oven!
Find the best bakeware sets for your kitchen.
Depth
The average baking pan measure two inches deep. However, pans can come in different shapes, sizes, and heights. The numbers could change if your pan is shallower or taller.
To find out the volume your dish can hold, you can easily calculate it yourself. To do this, fill a measuring cup with one cup of water and pour it into the baking dish. Repeat this process, counting each cup of water you pour, until the baking dish is full. This will give you how much volume (in cups) your dish can hold. Makes sense, right?
Substituting Pans
If a recipe calls for a particular type of pan, you can make adjustments. You’ll want to consider the shape of the pan, the length, and the measurements. If you’ve ever used a box cake mix, you might have seen the different baking times and/or temperatures for different pans.
If you’re unsure of how to alter the cooking time, a general rule of thumb is the larger the pan, the lower the total cook time. Bake cakes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. I like to lowball the estimated cook time and then check on the food. You can always add more time, but you can’t “uncook” a burnt dish!
9×13 Pan Alternatives
I’m a big fan of my Pyrex 9×13 baking dish, but if you don’t have one or want an alternative, you have a few options.
10-Inch Tube Pan
A 10-inch tube pan is an alternative to a 13×9 pan. This type of pan can hold about 16 cups, a similar capacity to the 15 cups of a 9×13 baking dish. A tube pan cannot be used for casseroles, but it can be used for cakes, break-apart bread, and other baked goods.
9-Inch Round Cake Pan
A 9-inch round cake pan is another alternative to a 9×13 casserole dish. Obviously, these pans are suited for cake and not for all dishes. A single 9-inch pan can hold about 8 cups, so you would want to use two pans. That would hold the same amount as a 10-inch tube pan, 16 cups.
8-Inch Pan
An 8-inch pan is also an alternative to a baking dish for cakes, brownies, and other baked goods. Each pan can hold four cups, so you would need to use four pans to hold the same amount as a 10-inch tube pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.
It should be noted that 8-inch pans don’t come in one single shape. You might find square dishes or round-shaped pans. I personally have a square glass pan and two metal round pans for baking.
How Many Quarts Can a 9×13 Hold? Last Word
Well, there you have it. The average 9×13 pan can hold around 3.75 quarts or 15 cups. Now you’ll be ready to adjust your recipe to whatever pan you have, regardless of the size. However, I recommend getting a good glass baking dish for everyday cooking. Find other non-toxic bakeware and baking sheets for your cooking and baking needs.
