Not everyone has a well equipped kitchen for bakeware, so what happens if you don’t have the right baking tin? If the recipe says you need an 8-inch round tin, but you only have square tins, what can you do?
Baking tin size affects baking time, texture, and even rise, so using the wrong tin without adjusting the recipe can result in a dry, sunken, or undercooked cake, loaf, muffin or cupcake.
This Baking Tin Size guide will help you convert tin sizes effortlessly and understand how depth and shape affect baking results.
Quick Baking Tin Size Conversion Charts
Key Tip: The volume of a round tin is roughly equal to a square tin that is 2.5 cm (1 inch) smaller, but this rule varies for smaller tins.
Round vs. Square Tin Conversions
Measurements are diameter (from one side to the other, crossing the centre).
| Capacity | Round Tin (Metric & Imperial) | Square Tin (Metric & Imperial) |
|---|---|---|
| 800ml (1.5 pint basin) | 140 mm (5.5 inches) | N/A |
| 1.1 litres (2 pints) | 180 mm (7 in) | 125 mm (5 in) |
| 1.2 litres (2 pint basin) | 150 mm (6 in deep) | 125 mm (5 in deep) |
| 1.7 litres (3 pints) | 200 mm (8 in) | 180 mm (7 in) |
| 2.3 litres (4 pints) | 230 mm (9 in) | 200 mm (8 in) |
| 3.4 litres (6 pints) | 250 mm (10 in) | 230 mm (9 in) |
| 4.5 litres (8 pints) | 280 mm (11 in) | 250 mm (10 in) |
| 5.7 litres (10 pints) | 300 mm (12 in) | 280 mm (11 in) |
🇺🇸🇬🇧 Imperial to American Baking Tin Conversions
Many online recipes use American measurements. Below is an easy conversion chart.
| Imperial (UK) | American Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 8 x 1.5 inch round | 20 cm x 4 cm cake tin |
| 9 x 1.5 inch round | 23 cm x 3.5 cm cake tin |
| 11 x 7 x 1.5 inch baking tin | 28 cm x 18 cm x 4 cm baking tin |
| 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking tin | 30 cm x 20 cm x 3 cm baking tin |
| 2-quart rectangular dish | 30 cm x 20 cm x 3 cm |
| 15 x 10 x 2 inch baking tin | 30 cm x 25 cm x 2 cm |
| 9-inch pie plate | 22 cm x 4 cm or 23 cm x 4 cm pie plate |
| 7 or 8-inch springform tin | 18 cm or 20 cm springform tin |
| 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf tin | 23 cm x 13 cm x 7 cm or 2lb loaf tin |
| 1.5 quart casserole dish | 1.5 litre casserole dish |
| 2 quart casserole dish | 2 litre casserole dish |
How to Convert Baking Tin Sizes
Want to convert a tin size manually? Use these formulas:
To convert round to square tins:
Reduce the size of the square tin by 2.5 cm (1 inch). Example:
- A 9-inch round tin = 8-inch square tin.
To calculate a tin’s volume:
- Measure length × width × depth (for square/rectangular tins).
- For round tins: Use π × radius² × height.
- Example: A 20 cm round tin, 5 cm deep holds 1570 ml.
To adjust baking time for different tin shapes:
- Deeper tins: Lower temperature by 10-15°C and increase baking time.
- Shallower tins: Increase temperature slightly but reduce baking time.
Baking Adjustments When Changing Tin Sizes
| If Your Tin is… | Adjust Baking Time | Adjust Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Deeper than the recipe tin | Increase baking time (check at 5-min intervals) | Lower by 10-15°C |
| Shallower than the recipe tin | Reduce baking time | Increase by 5°C |
| Smaller tin than the recipe | Reduce the batter amount | Keep temperature the same |
| Larger tin than the recipe | Batter will spread—check sooner | Keep temperature the same |
❓ Baking Tin Conversion FAQs
Q: What if I don’t have the exact tin size?
- Pick the closest smaller size and reduce the batter slightly.
- If using a larger tin, keep an eye on baking time and check early.
Q: How does a bundt tin compare?
A 10-inch bundt tin holds around 2.4 litres (10 cups) which is similar to a 9-inch round tin.
Q: Why does my cake sink when I change tin sizes?
- Your tin may be too large, causing the batter to spread too thin. Try reducing the temperature by 5-10°C and baking longer.
Baking tin size is more important than most bakers realise. Using the wrong tin can affect the rise, texture, and bake time, but this guide ensures you get it right every time!
Key Takeaways
- Round tins convert to square tins by reducing size by 1 inch.
- Baking times change with depth, deeper tins require lower heat.
- Imperial and metric tins are not always identical, so use our charts for precision.
