If you wonder how to adjust cake recipe for different size pans, here is a handy guide plus a free printable to adapting your recipe. Just have some math nearby while you do so!
Let's say that you have a round pan 8 inches in diameter and 2 inches high, but you want to make a round cake in a mold of 6 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches high.
The cake pan calculator calculates the baking pan sizes if the height of the pans remains constant.
But is there a solution to adjust the sizes of baking pans for any recipe? With just some math, it is not as hard as you might think.
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You will be surprised, but the basic math from your elementary school is an essential tool in the kitchen.
If you know how to divide and multiply, you will master all the baking conversions. And this guide comes right up with one of them.
Download the free baking pan conversion chart printable below.
How to convert pans of different heights
The answer to these questions is simple. First, you should know the pan's volume in the basic recipe (called V1) and the volume of the pan you have on your hands (called V2).
Then divide V2 by V1 to know the conversion coefficient. This number means how many times you should multiply the recipe ingredients to fill your pan.
Note: This principle applies to round and rectangular pans. The numbers below are rounded up to the nearest inch.
Also, try this cake pan converter to calculate the same height pan sizes.
Calculate the volume of a round pan
To calculate the volume of a round pan, you need to know its radius. Radius is the distance from the center of the pan to the outside.
First, measure the diameter of your mold from the inside wall to the inside wall (not from the outer edges).
Then divide the diameter of the pan by 2. Here is the radius.
So, for a classic 8-inch or 20-cm round pan, the radius equals 4 inches or 10 cm.
How to calculate the volume for this pan? The formula is as follows:
V = π x R x R x H, where
V - volume, π = 3.14, R - radius of the pan, and H - the height of the pan.
Let's say the basic recipe calls for a pan 8 inches in diameter (therefore, 4 inches in radius) and 2 inches in height.
So, the calculation looks like this:
V1 = 3.14 x R x R x H = 3.14 x 4 x 4 x 2 = 100 in3.
The same formula calculates a pan's volume in cubic centimeters (cm³).
Example #1
Let's say you want to make a recipe for a smaller pan, 6 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches in height.
The volume for such a pan will be:
V2 = 3.14 x R x R x H = 3.14 x 3 x 3 x 2.5 = 70 in3
So, to calculate the conversion coefficient:
V2 ÷ V1 = 70 ÷ 100 = 0.7.
How to recalculate the amount of ingredients necessary to make a 6-inch cake 2.5 inches high instead of an 8-inch cake 2 inches high? Just multiply all the quantities of the basic recipe by 0.7.
Example #2
Now you want to adapt the basic recipe for a larger pan you have on your hands.
Let's say you have a pan 9 inches in diameter (4.5 inches in radius) and 3 inches in height.
The volume will be:
V2 = 3.14 x R x R x H = 3.14 x 4.5 x 4.5 x 3 = 190 in³
So, V2 ÷ V1 = 190 ÷ 100 = 1.9.
So, you should multiply all the recipe quantities by the coefficient of 1.9 to make a cake in a mold 9 inches in diameter and 3 inches in height.
Using similar math, you can adjust a recipe in metric measurements such as centimeters.
Calculate the volume of a rectangular mold
For a rectangular mold, the volume formula is as follows:
V = L x W x H, where
V - volume, L - the length of the mold, W - the width of the mold, and H - its height.
Let's say that the basic recipe calls a rectangular mold 13-inch long, 9-inch wide, and 2-inch high.
We will therefore have the following:
V1 = L x W x H = 13 x 9 x 2 = 234 in³.
The same formula calculates a pan's volume in cubic centimeters (cm³).
Example #1
Let's say you want to make a recipe for a smaller pan, 9 inches long, 7 inches wide, and 2.5 inches high.
The volume for such a pan will be:
V2 = L x W x H = 9 x 7 x 2.5 = 157 in3
So, to calculate the recipe conversion factor:
V2 ÷ V1 = 157 ÷ 234 = 0.7.
How to recalculate the amount of ingredients necessary to make a pan 9 x 7 x 2.5 inches instead of a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan? Just multiply all the quantities of the basic recipe by 0.7.
How to swap one shape for another
To change a cake recipe from one shape to another, apply the same principle.
Let's say that a basic recipe calls for 6 tartlets 4 inches in diameter and 1 inch high.
The formula to calculate the volume of 6 tartlets is as follows:
V = Number of tartlets x π x R x R x H, where
V - volume, π = 3.14, R - radius of the mold, and H - the height of the mold.
So the volume of 6 tartlets will be
V1 = 6 x 3.14 x R x R x H = 6 x 3.14 x 2 x 2 x 1 = 75 in³.
Use the formula to calculate a mold's volume in cubic centimeters (cm³).
Example #1
Now let's say you want to apply the basic recipe for 6 tartlets to a tart pan 9 inches in diameter and 1 inch high.
So the volume of such a tart pan is
V2 = 3.14 x R X R x H = 3.14 x 4.5 x 4.5 x 1 = 63 in³
Further calculation is
V2 ÷ V1 = 63 ÷ 75 = 0.84.
Here is a conversion coefficient. Therefore, multiply the quantities of the basic tartlet recipe by 0.84 to obtain the amounts for a tart 9-inch in diameter.
Example #2:
What if you want to make the tartlet recipe mentioned above in a rectangle 14 x 4.5 x 1-inch pan?
So the volume of a rectangle tart pan will be:
V2 = L x W x H = 14 x 4.5 x 1 = 63 in³
So, the conversion coefficient is
V2 ÷ V1 = 63 ÷ 75 = 0.84
Therefore, you have to multiply the quantity of the tartlet recipe ingredients by 0.84 to make a tart in a rectangular pan.
How to adjust a recipe for silicone molds
Don't panic if you have a fancy silicone mold, for example, a heart-shaped or another with a strange shape.
It is still possible to apply mathematical calculations. Most of the top silicone mold manufacturers, such as Silikomart or Pavoni, provide the cake dimensions and the volume of their molds.
So if you have a basic recipe you want to make, first, calculate the volume of the recipe's mold (V1).
Then read the manufacturer's manual and find the mold size or volume you want to use (V2).
Finally, divide V2 by V1 and get the conversion coefficient.
Example #1
Let's imagine that you want to make a Royal chocolate cake in a silicone baking mold Eros by Pavoni.
The volume of the 8-inch cake ring 2-inch high, called in the recipe, is
V1 = 3.14 x 4 x 4 x 2 = 100 in³.
The dimensions of the silicone mold Eros are 7.05 x 7.01 x 1.89 inches. So, let's consider that its radius is approximately equal to 3.5 inches. The volume is
V2 = 3.14 x 3.5 x 3.5 x 1.89 = 72 in³.
Now, you should apply the formula V2 ÷ V1 to obtain the conversion coefficient:
V2 ÷ V1 = 72 ÷ 100 = 0.72.
All this means that if you want to make that chocolate mousse cake in a beautiful Pavoni mold, you must multiply the amount of the cake recipe ingredients by 0.72.
Then, make a red mirror glaze or use a velvet spray on your mousse cake to create an elegant Valentine's dessert.
Expert tips
While converting your favorite recipe to make in a larger pan, make sure to fill the mold up to â…” full; otherwise, your batter might overflow when cooking.
What should you do with the extra batter? Make cupcakes or a mini cake and give them away. Your neighbors will be happy!
To avoid an underbaked or overbaked cake, remember that changing pans in your recipe will affect the baking time.
It can be longer or shorter depending on what kind of mold you use; check for doneness using either a toothpick or cake tester.
Baking pan conversion chart
This is a helpful list of baking pan sizes. You can use these substitutes in place of one another, depending on your availability.
Also, check out my favorite baking tools, including cake and tart pans.
Round pans
| Pan | Volume | Substitution |
|---|---|---|
| 6 x 2 inch round pan | 4 cups | 4 cupcakes |
| 8 x 2 inch round pan | 6 cups | 8 x 2 inch round pan 9 x 1.5 inch round pan 7.5 x 3-inch bundt pan 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 inch loaf pan 9-inch pie dish |
| 9 x 2 inch round pan | 8 cups | 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan 8 x 8 x 2-inch square pan 9 x 9 x 1.5-inch square pan 10-inch pie dish 12-18 cupcakes |
| 10 x 2 inch round pan | 10 cups | 7 x 11 x 2 inch rectangular pan 10.5 x 15.5 x 1 inch rectangular pan 9 x 9 x 2-inch loaf pan 15 x 10 x 1-inch jelly roll pan Two 8-inch round pans |
Square pans
| Pan | Volume | Substitution |
|---|---|---|
| 8 x 2-inch square pan | 8 cups | 9 x 2 inch round pan 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pan |
| 9 x 2-inch square pan | 10 cups | 10 x 2 inch round pan 11 x 7 x 2 inch rectangular pan 9 x 2.5 inch springform pan 10 x 3-inch bundt pan 10 x 15-inch jelly roll pan |
| 10 x 2-inch square pan | 12 cups | 12 x 17-inch jelly roll pan 10 x 3-inch bundt pan 10 x 2.5 inch springform pan 9-inch tube pan |
Rectangle pans
| Pan | Volume | Substitution |
|---|---|---|
| 11 x 7-inch rectangle pan | 10 cups | 10 x 2 inch round pan 9 x 2-inch square pan 9 x 2.5 inch springform pan 10 x 3 inch Bundt pan 10 x 15-inch jelly roll pan |
| 9×13 inch rectangle pan | 14-16 cups | Two 9×2-inch round pans |
Jelly roll pans
| Pan | Volume | Substitution |
|---|---|---|
| 10 x 15-inch jelly roll pan | 10 cups | 10 x 2 inch round pan 9-inch square pan 11 x 7 rectangle pan 9 x 2.5 inch springform pan 10-inch bundt pan |
| 12×17 inch jelly roll pan | 12 cups | 10 x 2-inch square pan 10-inch bundt pan 10 x 2.5 inch springform pan 9-inch tube pan |
Bundt pan
| Pan | Volume | Substitution |
|---|---|---|
| 10-inch bundt pan | 10-12 cups | 10 x 2-inch round pan (10 cups) 9 x 2-inch square pan (10 cups) 10 x 2 inch square pan (12 cups) 11 x 7 inch pan (10 cups) 10 x 15-inch jelly roll pan (10 cups) 12 x 17-inch jelly roll pan (12 cups) 9 x 2.5 inch springform pan (10 cups) 10 x 2.5 inch springform pan (12 cups) 9-inch tube pan (12 cups) |
Tube pan
| Pan | Volume | Substitution |
|---|---|---|
| 9 x 3-inch tube pan | 12 cups | 10 x 2-inch square pan 12 x 17-inch jelly roll pan 10 x 2.5 inch springform pan. |
Springform pans
| Pan | Volume | Substitution |
|---|---|---|
| 9 x 2.5 inch springform pan | 10 cups | 10 x 2 inch round pan 9 x 2-inch square pan 11 x 7-inch pan 10 x 15-inch jelly roll pan |
| 10 x 2.5 inch springform pan | 12 cups | 10 x 2-inch square pan 12 x 17-inch jelly roll pan 9 x 3-inch tube pan. |
Loaf pans
| Pan | Volume | Substitution |
|---|---|---|
| 8 x 4-inch loaf pan | 4 cups | 6 x 2 inch round pan |
| 9 x 5-inch loaf pan | 8 cups | 9 x 2 inch round pan 8 x 2-inch square pan |
And here is a free download of the PDF-baking pan conversion chart. Print it out and enhance your collection of baking conversions.
Download Baking Pan Conversion Chart >>
More helpful baking posts
Here is a list of posts to help you enjoy baking, no matter your skill level. Also, discover Baking 101 with all the baking tips and tricks.
- Baking Books For Beginners
- Baking Essentials
- Cake Pan Converter
- Tips On Baking With Silicone Molds
- How To Clean Silicone Molds
Conclusion
Cake pans are an essential part of any baker's kitchen. This article will help you adapt recipes for different sizes of cakes.
So now there is no limit on what kind or how much batter can be used in your favorite baking recipe.
Happy baking!
Mike says
Thank you for this very informative and helpful collection of information. I am trying to figure out how much pie dough I would need to line an 8x2-inch cake pan. I want to make a pie recipe using a round cake pan instead of the standard 9-inch pie pan. Can you offer any suggestions? I don't see any references to pie pans here. TIA.
Irina Totterman says
Sure thing, Mike. Please use this cake pan calculator to recalculate ingredients for 9-inch pan into 8-inch pan. If you have questions, please, let me know.