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Sometimes when you’re making a recipe you realize you don’t have the right baking pan or you want to make a different shape or size. That’s where this baking pan conversion chart comes in – learn what pans you can substitute for others in baking with this handy list!
Be sure to pin it for later or download the free printable below!
Table of Contents
Baking pans can be confusing sometimes because there are SO MANY to choose from! Round, square, oblong, rectangular, springform – for someone that bakes a lot it’s easy to reach for one, because you probably have them all. But what if you’re just starting out or don’t have a ton of cabinet space? Or maybe you want a square cake and not a round one!
Learn how to easily make substitutions with this list of baking pan sizes – learn which ones you can switch and sub and which you can’t!
Be sure to check out my list of favorite baking supplies for my favorite pans!
Round Cake Pans – Cake Pan Sizes
| Pan Size | Volume | Use Instead |
|---|---|---|
| 8″ x 2″ round | 6 cups | 8″ x 8″ x 2″ square pan 10″ x 1.5″ pie plate 11″ x 7″ x 2″ rectangular pan |
| 9″ x 2″ round | 8 cups | 8″ x 8″ x 2″ square pan 9″ x 5″ x 3″ loaf pan |
Want to make a square cake? No worries, I got you.
The easiest pan substitution you can make is a 9-inch round and an 8-inch square.
PRO TIP
Square and Rectangular Baking Pan Sizes
Just remember that anything with a loose batter (cake, cornbread, etc) is going to be more finicky about pan substitutions. Brownies, cookie batter, blondies, etc are going to be easier to switch around because they’re more forgiving and rise less, usually.
| Pan Size | Volume | Use Instead |
|---|---|---|
| 8″ x 8″ x 2″ square | 8 cups | 9″ x 2″ round 9″ x 5″ x 3″ loaf pan |
| 9″ x 9″ x 2″ | 10 cups | 10″ x 2″ round 11″ x 7″ x 2″ rectangular pan 9″ x 13″ x 2″ rectangular pan* 15.5″ x 10.5″ x 1″ jelly-roll pan |
| 9″ x 13″ x 2″ | 14 cups | 2 (9″) rounds 2 (8″) rounds 9″ x 9″ x 2″ square pan* 10″ bundt cake pan 20-30 cupcakes |
*This is dependent on what you’re making. If you’re making brownies or cookie bars that don’t rise very much you can use a 9″ square and a 13 x 9-inch rectangular pan interchangeably. If you’re making a cake or something with a looser batter, you cannot use them interchangeably.
Other Cake Pans
| Pan Size | Volume | Use Instead |
|---|---|---|
| 9″ x 3″ round springform pan | 12 cups | 10″ bundt pan 9″ tube pan (angel food cake pan) 10″ x 2″ square pan 10″ springform pan |
| 15.5″ x 10.5″ x 1″ jelly-roll pan | 10 cups | 9″ x 9″ x 2″ square pan* |
| 10″ bundt pan | 12 cups | 10″ springform pan 9″ tube pan (angel food cake pan) 2 (11″ x 7″) rectangular pans 18-24 cupcakes 2 (9″) rounds 9″ x 13″ x 2″ rectangular pan |
*If you’re making a cake roll you have to use the jelly roll pan, no other pan can be substituted.
Muffin and Loaf Pan Sizes
| Pan Size | Volume | Use instead |
|---|---|---|
| 8″ x 4″ x 2.5″ loaf pan | 6 cups | 8″ x 8″ x 2″ square |
| 9″ x 5″ x 3″ loaf pan | 8 cups | 3 mini loaf pans (approx 6″ x 3.5″ x 2.5″) 9″ x 2″ deep dish pie plate 10″ pie plate 8″ or 9″ square pan 12-18 cupcakes 11″ x 7″ x 1-1/2″ baking pan |
| Standard Muffin Pan (Approx 2″ x 1.25″ each) | 12 cupcakes or 1/4 cup batter each | Mini muffins (36 minis) 9″ x 9″ square pan |
| Standard Mini Muffin Pan (Approx 1″ x 1.5″ each) | 24 cupcakes or 1 tbsp batter each | 8 regular size cupcakes |
Pie Plates
Standard pie plates are 9″ round, not deep dish. It’s not as simple as switching out pans when you substitute a pie plate (if you’re making pie, that is). Here are some swaps for making pie in a different pan:
- Tart Pan with a removable bottom – these are normally 10-inches around, so you may need a bigger crust.
- Springform pan – same as the tart pan – you may need some extra crust.
- 9″ x 13″ x 2″ rectangular pan or a jelly roll pan – make a slab pie! You’ll need about double the crust
- Muffin tin – use a 2.5″ round cookie cutter for standard muffin pans and a 1.5″ round cookie cutter for mini muffin tins. If you’re making a cookie crust (i.e. graham cracker crust), use cupcake liners.
Hello, I just found your website and you have so many great tips! My question is when you substitute a different size pan than what the recipe calls for e.g. 9x13x2 for 9x9x2 do you adjust the baking time?
Thank you!
It really depends on the recipe. Usually, yes it will take more time for a smaller pan and less time for a larger pan.
My recipe calls for a 8.5 x 4.25 loaf pan. I only have a 9 x 5 loaf pan. How do I convert the cooking time?
The 9×5 will work just fine for 99% of recipes – it might just bake 5-10 min less – or the same amount (it depends on the recipe). The result will just be flatter – often when I’ve tested different pans the 9×5 isn’t as domed as the smaller pan (but again, depends on the recipe).
Hi, I want to make lemon bar recipe that calls for a 9 x 13 pan, but would like the bars to be thicker, can I use this recipe in a 9 x 9 pan?
Thanks
Brenda
I suggest using this recipe: https://www.crazyforcrust.com/best-lemon-bars-recipe-ever It’s thick!
I just bought 3 six-inch cake pans for a small layer cake I want to make for just the two of us. How do I adjust a regular big layer cake recipe to fit? Frosting too? Thanks for all the good conversions?
So a normal 6×2-inch round cake pan holds about 4 cups of batter (8-inch holds 6 cups). So it depends on the recipe you’re using. You can make the normal recipe and then any leftover batter make cupcakes with. Or I’d have to see what recipe you’re using to make any conversions. (Theoretically, you can 2/3 the recipe to fit, but again, I’d have to see.)
My recipe call for 3 nine inch pans. I don’t want a layer cake, what other pan can I use
Most likely a 9×13-inch but I’d have to see the recipe
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