Plastic Cup Sizes: How Big Is a 12, 16, 20, 24 or 32 oz Cup?
How big is a 12, 16 or 32 oz cup, really? See 13 real plastic cups side by side at true scale, with the height, width, ml and US cups for each size, how many ounces a red Solo cup holds, and which size to order for beer, wine, soda and shots.
Plastic cup sizes are printed in ounces, and ounces are hard to picture. What most people really want to know is how tall the cup is, whether it fits in a cup holder, and whether a can of soda fits in it with ice.
Pick your size in 10 seconds
A 12 oz plastic cup is about 4-1/4 inches tall and 3 inches across the top. A 16 oz cup is 4-1/2 inches tall as a stadium cup, or 5-1/2 inches as a tall party cup. A 22 oz cup is about 5-1/2 inches, a 24 oz about 6-7/8 inches and a 32 oz about 7-3/4 inches. Cup sizes are measured to the brim, so a 12 oz drink fills a 12 oz cup to the top. If you are serving 12 oz cans or bottles over ice, buy 16 oz cups.
This guide answers those questions with real cups. We print 167 plastic cups in sizes from 1.5 to 40 oz, and the 13 below cover the sizes people ask about most. The measurements come from each cup's spec sheet, every drawing is to scale, and each cup is filled to where one 12 oz can of drink comes up to.
Every plastic cup size, side by side
Plastic cup sizes run from 2 oz shot cups about 2-1/2 inches tall to 32 oz stadium cups about 7-3/4 inches tall, and the everyday 16 oz cup is about 4-1/2 inches tall. This is the whole lineup at true scale, next to a standard 12 oz can. Gold shows where the can's 12 oz of drink would come to in each cup. Anything shaded red is too small to hold the whole can.
Plastic cup sizes compared, to scale
Scroll sideways to see every size.
Plastic cup size chart: cup sizes in oz, ml and inches
The same drinking cup sizes in numbers. Heights and widths are the outside of the cup, as the supplier lists them. Milliliters and US cups are the brim-full volume.
| Size | Milliliters | US cups | Height | Across the top | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 oz | 59 ml | 0.25 | 2-1/2 in (6.3 cm) | 1-7/8 in (4.8 cm) | Shot cup |
| 3.5 oz | 104 ml | 0.44 | 3-1/8 in (7.9 cm) | 2-1/4 in (5.7 cm) | Sampler cup |
| 6 oz | 177 ml | 0.75 | 3 in (7.6 cm) | 2-3/4 in (7.0 cm) | Rocks cup |
| 10 oz | 296 ml | 1.25 | 4-3/4 in (12.1 cm) | 2-1/2 in (6.3 cm) | Tall cup |
| 12 oz | 355 ml | 1.5 | 4-1/4 in (10.8 cm) | 3-1/16 in (7.8 cm) | Stadium cup |
| 14 oz | 414 ml | 1.75 | 4-7/8 in (12.4 cm) | 3-3/8 in (8.6 cm) | Tapered cup |
| 16 oz | 473 ml | 2 | 4-7/16 in (11.3 cm) | 3-1/2 in (8.9 cm) | Stadium cup |
| 16 oz | 473 ml | 2 | 5-1/2 in (14.0 cm) | 3-3/4 in (9.5 cm) | Party cup |
| 17 oz | 503 ml | 2.13 | 4-1/2 in (11.5 cm) | 3-13/16 in (9.7 cm) | Reusable cup |
| 20 oz | 591 ml | 2.5 | 6-1/2 in (16.5 cm) | 3-9/16 in (9.1 cm) | Reusable cup |
| 22 oz | 651 ml | 2.75 | 5-1/2 in (14.0 cm) | 3-9/16 in (9.0 cm) | Stadium cup |
| 24 oz | 710 ml | 3 | 6-7/8 in (17.5 cm) | 3-1/2 in (8.9 cm) | Stadium cup |
| 32 oz | 946 ml | 4 | 7-3/4 in (19.7 cm) | 4-1/8 in (10.5 cm) | Stadium cup |
A US cup is 8 fluid ounces, or about 237 ml. So a 16 oz cup holds exactly 2 cups, and a 12 oz cup holds 1-1/2. That is also why "how many ounces in a cup" gets two answers: the kitchen measuring cup is 8 oz, while a drinking cup can be almost any size.
12 oz vs 16 oz cups: which should you buy?
Buy 16 oz cups in almost every case: a 16 oz cup holds a full 12 oz can or beer plus 4 oz of room for ice or foam, while a 12 oz cup is full to the brim.
A 12 oz can poured into a 12 oz cup fills it to the brim. There is no room for ice or a head of foam, and the cup spills as soon as someone walks with it. The 16 oz cup takes the same drink with 4 oz to spare. It is also only about 3/16 of an inch taller in these two stadium cups, so it looks like a normal cup rather than a big one.
Pick 12 oz when the drink is poured straight from a pitcher or dispenser without ice, or when the cups are for small children.
16 oz vs 24 oz cups
A 24 oz cup holds half as much again as a 16 oz cup and stands almost 2-1/2 inches taller, so choose 24 oz when the cup is a souvenir or holds refills, and 16 oz for everything else.
Step up to 22, 24 or 32 oz when the cup is the souvenir: stadium drinks, fountain soda with refills, and big iced drinks. The 24 oz cup is almost 2-1/2 inches taller than the 16 oz stadium cup, and the 32 oz cup is about 3-1/4 inches taller.
Custom stadium cups in every size
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What does a 16 oz cup look like in your hand?
This is a real 16 oz cup in real hands: our 16 oz Steel Chill-Cup, which is 4-1/2 inches tall and 3-5/16 inches across. That is a little shorter than a 12 oz soda can and about 3/4 of an inch wider, so it sits comfortably in one hand with room to grip. A 16 oz plastic stadium cup is almost the same size; a 16 oz party cup is about an inch taller.
Each cup size up close
A photo of the real cup, the same cup drawn next to a 12 oz can, and every measurement we have for it. Tap a cup to see its colors, print area and price breaks.
2 oz
Shot cup
- Holds
- 59 ml · 0.25 cups
- Height
- 2-1/2 in · 6.3 cm
- Top
- 1-7/8 in · 4.8 cm
- Can test
- Will not fit
3.5 oz
Sampler cup
- Holds
- 104 ml · 0.44 cups
- Height
- 3-1/8 in · 7.9 cm
- Top
- 2-1/4 in · 5.7 cm
- Can test
- Will not fit
6 oz
Rocks cup
- Holds
- 177 ml · 0.75 cups
- Height
- 3 in · 7.6 cm
- Top
- 2-3/4 in · 7.0 cm
- Can test
- Will not fit
10 oz
Tall cup
- Holds
- 296 ml · 1.25 cups
- Height
- 4-3/4 in · 12.1 cm
- Top
- 2-1/2 in · 6.3 cm
- Can test
- Will not fit
12 oz
Stadium cup
- Holds
- 355 ml · 1.5 cups
- Height
- 4-1/4 in · 10.8 cm
- Top
- 3-1/16 in · 7.8 cm
- Base
- 2-1/4 in · 5.7 cm
- Can test
- Fills it to the brim
14 oz
Tapered cup
- Holds
- 414 ml · 1.75 cups
- Height
- 4-7/8 in · 12.4 cm
- Top
- 3-3/8 in · 8.6 cm
- Can test
- Leaves 2 oz of room
16 oz
Stadium cup
- Holds
- 473 ml · 2 cups
- Height
- 4-7/16 in · 11.3 cm
- Top
- 3-1/2 in · 8.9 cm
- Base
- 2-9/16 in · 6.5 cm
- Can test
- Leaves 4 oz of room
16 oz
Party cup
- Holds
- 473 ml · 2 cups
- Height
- 5-1/2 in · 14.0 cm
- Top
- 3-3/4 in · 9.5 cm
- Base
- 2-1/2 in · 6.3 cm
- Can test
- Leaves 4 oz of room
17 oz
Reusable cup
- Holds
- 503 ml · 2.13 cups
- Height
- 4-1/2 in · 11.5 cm
- Top
- 3-13/16 in · 9.7 cm
- Can test
- Leaves 5 oz of room
20 oz
Reusable cup
- Holds
- 591 ml · 2.5 cups
- Height
- 6-1/2 in · 16.5 cm
- Top
- 3-9/16 in · 9.1 cm
- Can test
- Leaves 8 oz of room
22 oz
Stadium cup
- Holds
- 651 ml · 2.75 cups
- Height
- 5-1/2 in · 14.0 cm
- Top
- 3-9/16 in · 9.0 cm
- Base
- 2-7/16 in · 6.2 cm
- Can test
- Leaves 10 oz of room
24 oz
Stadium cup
- Holds
- 710 ml · 3 cups
- Height
- 6-7/8 in · 17.5 cm
- Top
- 3-1/2 in · 8.9 cm
- Can test
- Leaves 12 oz of room
32 oz
Stadium cup
- Holds
- 946 ml · 4 cups
- Height
- 7-3/4 in · 19.7 cm
- Top
- 4-1/8 in · 10.5 cm
- Can test
- Leaves 20 oz of room
- Browse all cups
Need another size?
We print 167 plastic cups, from 1.5 oz shot cups to 40 oz tumblers, in clear, frosted, colored and light-up styles.
- Get a free quote
Not sure which size?
Tell us what you are serving and how many guests. We will pick the size and send pricing with your logo on it.
What size cup for each drink
Match the cup to the pour plus room for ice: a 2 oz cup for a shot, a 10 oz cup for wine, a 16 oz cup for a 12 oz beer or soda, and a 22 to 32 oz cup for fountain drinks. Start from what goes in the cup, then add room for ice or foam. The standard pours below are the US standard drink sizes published by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
| What you are serving | Standard pour | Cup to buy | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| A shot of spirits | 1.5 oz | 2 oz shot cup | Room to carry it without spilling |
| Tasting samples | 1 to 3 oz | 2 to 3.5 oz sampler cup | Small enough that a sip is a sip |
| Wine | 5 oz | 10 oz cup | Room to swirl, and it will not tip |
| Cocktail over ice | 2 to 6 oz | 10 to 14 oz rocks cup | Room for the ice |
| Beer from a 12 oz can or bottle | 12 oz | 16 oz cup | Room for the head |
| Soda from a 12 oz can, with ice | 12 oz | 16 oz cup | Room for ice |
| Soda from a 20 oz bottle, with ice | 20 oz | 22 to 24 oz cup | Room for ice |
| Fountain drinks and refills | Up to 32 oz | 24 to 32 oz stadium cup | The cup becomes the souvenir |
| Kids' drinks | 6 to 8 oz | 10 to 12 oz cup | Less to spill, less to waste |
If you can only order one size for a mixed event of beer, wine and soft drinks, order 16 oz. It holds a full can with ice, and a glass of wine does not look lost in it. For more on pours, see our guide to what a shot size is, and browse custom shot glasses, plastic beer mugs and custom wine glasses when a cup is not the right fit.
How many ounces in a Solo cup?
The standard Solo cup size is 18 oz: the classic red Solo party cup is an 18 oz cup, and 16 oz red party cups are just as common. The same style also comes in smaller 12 oz and 9 oz sizes. So when people search for red Solo cup ounces, the answer is usually 16 to 18 oz, filled to the brim.
For Solo cup dimensions, a standard 16 oz party cup of this style is about 4-5/8 inches tall, 3-5/8 inches across the top and 2-1/4 inches across the base. That is a little taller than a 16 oz stadium cup, with a narrower base, which is why it looks bigger on a table even though it holds the same amount.
We do not sell Solo-brand cups. If you are looking for custom Solo cups for an event, our 16 oz party cup is the same party-cup shape printed with your logo: 5-1/2 inches tall, 3-3/4 inches across the top and 2-1/2 inches across the base.
Ordering custom plastic cups with your logo
Size is the first decision when you order custom plastic cups, and it changes more than how much the cup holds. Every cup on this page can be printed as personalized plastic cups with your logo, event name or date.
Bigger cups give your logo more room. The print area grows with the cup wall, so a 24 or 32 oz stadium cup takes a larger, easier-to-read logo than a 2 oz shot cup. Each product page lists its exact print area.
Pick reusable or disposable first. Custom stadium cups and custom party cups are made to go home with your guests, so your logo keeps working long after the event. Custom disposable cups suit tastings, bars and one-day events where the cups are thrown away.
Pick the look. Clear cups show off the drink, colored cups carry your brand colors, and custom frosted cups give a softer, upscale finish for weddings and galas. Personalized stadium cups in your team or school colors are the classic fundraiser.
Order the size people will actually use. A 16 oz cup is the safe choice for a mixed crowd. For fundraisers and stadium giveaways, a 22 to 32 oz cup is what people keep. For tastings and shots, go small.
For a sturdier cup that keeps drinks cold longer, compare plastic with steel in our guide to stainless steel vs plastic tumblers.
How cup sizes are measured
Cup sizes are measured as the brim-full volume in US fluid ounces (fl oz), and a cup's height and width are its outside measurements. Three things are worth knowing before you compare two cups on paper.
The size is the brim-full volume. A 16 oz cup holds 16 oz only when filled to the very top. In real use it will always hold less drink than its size.
Height and width are outside measurements. They tell you whether the cup fits a cup holder, a dispenser sleeve or a shipping box. They do not tell you the volume on their own, because a thick wall or a hollow base takes up space.
Shape changes everything. Our 17 oz reusable cup is about an inch shorter than our 16 oz party cup and still holds more, because its shape is squatter. Compare the drawings, not just the heights.
Shop custom cups by type
Small cups for bars, tastings and samples
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Reusable cups people take home
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You can also browse every custom plastic tumbler and light-up cup we print, or all our custom cups in one place.
Cup size questions, answered
How big is a 16 oz cup?
A 16 oz plastic stadium cup is about 4-1/2 inches tall and 3-1/2 inches across the top. A 16 oz party cup is taller, at about 5-1/2 inches, with a 3-3/4 inch top. Both hold 16 fluid ounces, which is 2 US cups or 473 ml, when filled to the brim.
16 oz cup dimensions: how tall and wide is it?
A 16 oz cup is about 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 inches tall, depending on its shape. Our 16 oz stadium cup measures 4-7/16 inches tall, 3-1/2 inches across the top and 2-9/16 inches across the base. Our 16 oz party cup measures 5-1/2 inches tall, 3-3/4 inches across the top and 2-1/2 inches across the base.
How big is a 12 oz cup?
A 12 oz plastic stadium cup is about 4-1/4 inches tall and just over 3 inches across the top. Its full 12 oz cup dimensions are 4-1/4 inches tall, 3-1/16 inches across the top and 2-1/4 inches across the base. It holds 12 fluid ounces, 1-1/2 US cups or 355 ml, to the brim, which is exactly one can of soda with no room for ice.
How big is a 32 oz cup?
Our 32 oz stadium cup is about 7-3/4 inches tall and 4-1/8 inches across the top. It holds 4 US cups, or about 946 ml, filled to the brim.
What size cup do I need for a 12 oz can?
Buy a 16 oz cup. A 12 oz cup holds a 12 oz can only when filled to the very top, so there is no room for ice or foam. The 16 oz cup takes the whole can with 4 oz to spare.
How many ounces is a red Solo cup?
The classic red Solo cup holds 18 oz, and 16 oz versions are just as common. Smaller 12 oz and 9 oz sizes are also sold. All of them are measured filled to the brim.
Is 16 oz a small, medium or large?
It depends on the counter. At a coffee shop, 16 oz is usually a medium; at Starbucks it is a Grande, between the 12 oz Tall and the 20 oz Venti. At an event, 16 oz is the standard everyday cup, and 22 to 32 oz cups are the large ones.
How many cups is 16 oz?
16 fluid ounces is 2 US cups. A US cup is 8 fluid ounces, so 12 oz is 1-1/2 cups, 20 oz is 2-1/2 cups and 32 oz is 4 cups.
How many ml is a 16 oz cup?
A 16 oz cup holds about 473 ml. A 12 oz cup holds about 355 ml, a 20 oz cup about 591 ml and a 24 oz cup about 710 ml.
How big is a 20 oz cup?
Our 20 oz reusable cup is about 6-1/2 inches tall and 3-1/2 inches across the top. Heights vary more between shapes than between sizes: our 22 oz stadium cup is about an inch shorter, at 5-1/2 inches.
How big is a 24 oz cup?
Our 24 oz stadium cup is about 6-7/8 inches tall and 3-1/2 inches across the top. It holds 3 US cups, or about 710 ml, filled to the brim, and it is almost 2-1/2 inches taller than a 16 oz stadium cup.
How many oz in a plastic cup?
It depends on the cup. Plastic cups run from 1.5 oz shot cups to 32 oz stadium cups and 40 oz tumblers, and 16 oz and 12 oz are the sizes we carry in the most styles. The size printed on a cup is always its brim-full volume.
What size custom plastic cups should I order?
Order 16 oz for most events. It holds a 12 oz drink with ice, suits beer, wine and soft drinks, and gives your logo a good print area. Go up to 22 to 32 oz for stadium cups people keep, and down to 2 to 3.5 oz for shots and tastings.
Can I get plastic cups printed with my logo?
Yes. Every cup on this page can be printed with your logo, and you approve a free proof before anything prints. Open any cup to see its colors, print area and price at each quantity, or ask us for a quote.
Choosing the right plastic cup size: the bottom line
Plastic cup sizes come down to three decisions: what you are pouring, whether there is ice, and whether guests keep the cup.
- For a 12 oz can or beer with ice, order 16 oz. It is the one size that suits a mixed crowd.
- For shots and tastings, order 2 to 3.5 oz; for wine and cocktails, 10 to 14 oz.
- For stadium drinks, refills and souvenir cups, order 22 to 32 oz.
Every cup in this guide is a real product we print with your logo, from 2 oz shot cups to 32 oz stadium cups, and the rest of our custom drinkware is one click away. Tell us what you are serving and how many guests are coming, and we will recommend the size and send pricing with a free proof of your logo.
Get your custom cups quoted today
Send us the drink, the headcount and your logo. We will pick the right cup size and send pricing with a free proof, no obligation.
Sources. Cup measurements are from each product's supplier spec sheet in our catalog (September 2026). Standard drink pours are from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The red Solo cup size is from Solo's own product page, and party cup dimensions from Dimensions.com. A standard 12 oz US drink can is 4.83 inches tall and 2.6 inches across.