Popcorn tub sizes explained
Tubs are sold by a number of ounces that few people can picture. Here is what each size holds, and how to choose the ones your counter needs.
Drawn to relative scale by volume. Exact height and width depend on the tub maker's taper.
What the number means
The size of a popcorn tub is its volume in US fluid ounces, measured to the brim. One US fluid ounce is 29.57 millilitres. Multiply the tub size by that and you have its volume: an 85oz tub holds about 2.51 litres.
It is a measure of space, not weight. Popcorn is mostly air, and how much fits by weight depends on your corn, how it pops and how firmly you fill. That is why tubs are sold by volume.
How to choose sizes for a menu
Start from the portions you already sell. If you serve with a scoop, fill your current pack, tip it into a measuring jug and note the litres. Match that figure to the table.
Leave clear steps between sizes. A menu works when each size looks plainly bigger than the last. Sizes that sit close together, such as 32oz and 46oz, are hard to tell apart on a counter. Skipping one size between each step is a simple way to get that gap.
Check the cup holder. If customers carry tubs to seats with holders, measure the holder's inside diameter and give it to us. We check it against the base of the tub.
Decide on lids early. A tub that will be delivered or stacked needs a lid, and the lid has to match the rim. Say so when you ask for the quote.
Conversion table
| Size | Holds about | Usual role |
|---|---|---|
| 32oz | 0.95 litres | Small or kids |
| 46oz | 1.36 litres | Regular |
| 64oz | 1.89 litres | Medium |
| 85oz | 2.51 litres | Large |
| 130oz | 3.84 litres | Sharing |
| 170oz | 5.03 litres | Family bucket |
Litres are rounded to two decimal places. Roles are typical and vary by venue.
Tub sizes: quick answers
How many litres is a 32oz popcorn tub?
About 0.95 litres. One US fluid ounce is 29.57 millilitres, so 32 of them make 946 millilitres.
How big is a 170oz popcorn bucket?
About 5.03 litres, a little over a UK gallon. It is the large family or sharing size.
Are popcorn tub ounces a weight?
No. They are fluid ounces, a measure of volume. A tub named 85oz holds 85 fluid ounces of space, not 85 ounces of popcorn by weight.
Can I order a size that is not on the list?
Yes. The list shows common sizes. Tell us the volume or the dimensions you need and we quote it.
Know your sizes? Get a price.
Pack style, size, quantity and print. If you are not sure about any of them, say so and we will help you decide.