Cooler Sizes: Quarts, Liters, Dimensions and What Each Holds
Standard hard and soft cooler sizes with typical outside dimensions, the capacity in quarts and liters, how many cans fit with and without ice, and how to work out the size you need for a day out or a week of camping.
Hard coolers are sold by capacity in US quarts: 10-16 qt (9.5-15 L) personal coolers, 28-30 qt (26-28 L) day coolers, 45-54 qt (43-51 L) family coolers and 70-120 qt (66-114 L) large chests. A typical 48 qt cooler measures about 25 × 14 × 16 in (64 × 36 × 41 cm) outside and holds about 60-70 cans without ice, or about 24 with the usual 2:1 ice ratio.
- 1 US quart
- 0.946 L (57.75 cu in)
- 48 qt cooler
- About 25 × 14 × 16 in
- Cans, no ice
- About 1.3-1.45 per qt
- Ice to contents
- 2:1 by volume
On this page
Cooler sizes chart
Capacity is measured inside, in US quarts in North America and liters elsewhere. The outside dimensions vary by brand and wall thickness, so the figures below are typical ranges for standard hard coolers; rotomolded coolers sit at the top end or above.
| Capacity | Liters | Outside L × W × H (in) | Outside (cm) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-10 qt | 4.7-9.5 L | 11-15 × 8-10 × 10-12 | 28-38 × 20-25 × 25-30 | Lunch for one or two |
| 16-20 qt | 15-19 L | 16-19 × 10-12 × 13-15 | 41-48 × 25-30 × 33-38 | Day out for two |
| 25-30 qt | 24-28 L | 19-23 × 12-15 × 13-16 | 48-58 × 30-38 × 33-41 | Day trip, beach, boat |
| 40-45 qt | 38-43 L | 22-27 × 13-16 × 14-17 | 56-69 × 33-41 × 36-43 | Family day, overnight |
| 48-54 qt | 45-51 L | 23-28 × 13-17 × 14-18 | 58-71 × 33-43 × 36-46 | Weekend for 2-4 |
| 60-70 qt | 57-66 L | 28-32 × 15-18 × 15-18 | 71-81 × 38-46 × 38-46 | Long weekend, groups |
| 100-120 qt | 95-114 L | 34-40 × 16-20 × 17-20 | 86-102 × 41-51 × 43-51 | Week camping, fishing, events |
| 150 qt and up | 142 L and up | 40-46 × 18-21 × 18-21 | 102-117 × 46-53 × 46-53 | Marine, hunting, catering |
Inside, coolers lose 1-1.5 in (2.5-4 cm) per wall on standard models and 2-3 in (5-8 cm) on rotomolded ones, and the lid takes height too. A 48 qt cooler 25 × 14 × 16 in outside is roughly 21 × 11 × 12 in inside.
How to calculate cooler capacity
Measure the inside length, width and depth (to where the lid closes, not to the rim of the lid) and multiply.
- In inches: L × W × H ÷ 57.75 = quarts. For 21 × 11 × 12 in: 2,772 ÷ 57.75 = 48 qt.
- In centimeters: L × W × H ÷ 1,000 = liters. For 53 × 28 × 30 cm: 44,520 ÷ 1,000 = 44.5 L.
- Quarts to liters: multiply by 0.946. Liters to quarts: multiply by 1.057.
Cooler interiors taper and have rounded corners, so a box calculation slightly overstates the usable volume. The method is still the best way to compare two coolers when one lists only the outside size or a can count.
How many cans fit in each cooler size
A standard 12 fl oz (355 ml) can is about 2.6-2.7 in (66-68 mm) across and 4.8 in (122 mm) tall. In theory a quart holds about 1.7-1.8 cans; in a real cooler the shape, drain and walls cut that to about 1.3-1.45 cans per quart with no ice. With ice at the usual 2:1 ratio, only a third of the space holds drinks.
| Cooler | Cans, no ice | Cans with 2:1 ice |
|---|---|---|
| 10 qt (9.5 L) | 12-15 | About 5 |
| 16 qt (15 L) | 20-23 | About 8 |
| 28 qt (26 L) | 36-41 | About 14 |
| 48 qt (45 L) | 62-70 | About 24 |
| 70 qt (66 L) | 91-101 | About 35 |
| 120 qt (114 L) | 156-174 | About 60 |
| 150 qt (142 L) | 195-215 | About 75 |
Most manufacturers' can counts are the no-ice figure. Soft coolers are usually sold by that count alone: a 12-can soft cooler is about 9-12 qt, and a 24-can model about 18-22 qt.
Ice: how much space it takes
The common guidance from cooler makers is two parts ice to one part contents by volume for multi-day trips. For an afternoon, 1:1 is enough.
Block ice lasts longer because it has less surface area, and it takes up less room for the same weight because there are no gaps between cubes. A 48 qt cooler at 2:1 needs about 32 qt of ice: three or four 10 lb bags of cubes, or a mix of blocks and cubes.
Pile up what you want to bring, estimate its volume in quarts (a 12-pack of cans is about 7 qt of cans, a gallon jug about 4.5 qt with its handle), and multiply by 3 for a 2:1 ice ratio. Round up to the next cooler size; a half-empty cooler warms faster, so do not oversize by much.
Cooler types and how their sizes compare
| Type | Common sizes | Size notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard hard (blow- or injection-molded) | 5-150 qt | Thin walls, lightest and most compact outside for the capacity |
| Rotomolded | 20-110 qt | 2-3 in walls; larger and heavier outside for the same interior, holds ice longest |
| Wheeled | 28-120 qt | Wheels and handle add 2-5 in of length and a few inches of height |
| Soft-sided bag or backpack | 6-40 cans (about 5-30 qt) | Rated in cans; walls flex, so capacity is approximate |
| Marine | 48-150 qt | UV-resistant, often with measuring rulers on the lid for fish |
| 12 V electric (thermoelectric or compressor) | 20-60 L | Sold in liters; the compressor and vents add 4-8 in to one end |
Coolers sold for camping in grizzly country can be certified bear-resistant through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee program, which requires the cooler to be locked with approved padlocks or bolts. Certification applies to the specific model and size.
Weight of a loaded cooler
Water weighs 8.34 lb per gallon, or about 2.1 lb per quart. A full cooler of drinks and ice comes to roughly 1.7-2 lb per quart of capacity plus the empty weight of the cooler.
- 28 qt: about 50-60 lb (23-27 kg) loaded. One person can carry it.
- 48 qt: about 85-105 lb (39-48 kg) loaded. A two-person lift unless it has wheels.
- 120 qt: 200 lb (91 kg) or more loaded. Fill it where it will stay.
Empty weights range from about 10 lb (4.5 kg) for a standard 48 qt cooler to 25-35 lb (11-16 kg) for a rotomolded cooler of similar capacity.
Will it fit? Car trunks, boats and campsites
- Measure the space: trunk floor length and width, and the height under the parcel shelf or cargo cover. A typical sedan trunk takes a 48-54 qt cooler; 100-120 qt chests generally need an SUV, wagon or pickup bed.
- Add handles and hinges. Fold-down handles add 1-3 in at each end; a lid has to open, so allow 2-4 in more height if you need to reach in without unloading.
- Check interior height for upright bottles. A 750 ml wine bottle is about 12 in (30 cm) tall, and a 2 liter soda bottle is about 12-13 in, so you need about 12.5-13.5 in inside.
- On a boat, a cooler used as a seat should be 16-18 in tall with the lid closed, close to normal chair height, and have non-slip feet and tie-down points.
For packing food inside the cooler, the food container size guide helps match boxes to the interior, and for single lunches a lunch box is usually a better fit than a small cooler.
Frequently asked questions
How many cans does a 10 quart cooler hold?
About 12-15 standard 12 oz cans packed with no ice, or about 5 with enough ice to keep them cold for a day. Listings for 9-10 qt coolers usually quote 12-14 cans, counted with no ice.
What are the dimensions of a normal size cooler?
The most common family size, 45-54 qt (43-51 L), is about 23-28 in long, 13-17 in wide and 14-18 in tall (58-71 × 33-43 × 36-46 cm) outside. Rotomolded versions are at the upper end of each range because of their thicker walls.
How many liters is a large cooler?
A large cooler is usually 60-70 qt, which is 57-66 L. Extra-large chests of 100-120 qt hold 95-114 L, and 150 qt marine coolers hold about 142 L. To convert, multiply quarts by 0.946.
What is the usual volume of a cooler?
Common sizes are 25-30 qt (24-28 L) for day trips and 45-54 qt (43-51 L) for family use. A 48 qt cooler, at about 45 L, is the size most people mean by a standard cooler.
Will a wine bottle stand up in a cooler?
Only if the interior is at least about 12.5 in (32 cm) deep, since a 750 ml bottle is about 12 in tall. Most coolers under 40 qt are 9-12 in deep inside, so bottles lie flat; many 48-70 qt coolers take them upright. See wine bottle sizes for other formats.
Is a Yeti 45 a 45 quart cooler?
Not necessarily. Some premium brands use model numbers that are not the capacity in quarts, and the real interior volume can be well below the number. Check the capacity listed in quarts or liters, or the can count, rather than the model name.