Plastic Cup Sizes

1-7 Oz. Plastic Cups

Smaller plastic cup sizes between 1 and 7 oz. are indispensable tools for foodservice operators managing condiments, sides, samples, and premium mini-desserts. These compact cold cups enable strict portion control for high-cost ingredients and create perceived value for smaller offerings.

How Big Is a 2 Oz. Plastic Cup?

2 oz. plastic cups are crucial for controlling servings of premium or high-cost liquids and semi-solids. Their small stature makes them highly functional for quick-service applications where space and speed matter. Operators rely on this size for consistent, mess-free serving of concentrated items.

• Best Uses for 2 Oz. Plastic Cups: Espresso shots, condiment servings (ketchup, sauces), salad dressing cups, medicine cups, tasting samples, jello shots
• mL Equvalent: 60 mL
• Recommended Straw Size for 2 Oz. Plastic Cups: N/A

How Big Is a 6 Oz. Plastic Cup?

6 oz. plastic cups provide a versatile size that offers significantly more capacity than 2 oz. cups, accommodating single-serve portions of popular sides and desserts efficiently. They strike an ideal balance between volume and cost control for moderately priced items.

• Best Uses for 6 Oz. Plastic Cups: Side items (fruit, coleslaw, applesauce), single-serve desserts (parfaits, pudding, mousse), kids' drinks, smoothie samplers, dipping sauce containers
• mL Equvalent: 177 mL
• Recommended Straw Size for 6 Oz. Plastic Cups: 5 3/4" straws

8-15 Oz. Plastic Cups

Plastic cup sizes from 8 to 15 oz. form the operational backbone for most commercial foodservice beverage programs, covering popular single-serve drinks and desserts. This range delivers optimal versatility for iced coffees, soft drinks, cocktails, and substantial dessert parfaits, balancing capacity with practicality for high-volume operations.

How Big Is an 8 Oz. Plastic Cup?

This compact size is frequently used as a standard portion for smaller beverages and desserts where precise volume matters. They are often used as water cups at self service water stations at casual dining establishments. Their efficient scale helps control costs on premium ingredients like espresso or specialty syrups. Many operators select this size as their baseline for kids' drinks or lighter beverage options.

• Best Uses for 8 Oz. Plastic Cups: Iced coffee servings, kids' beverages, yogurt parfaits
• mL Equvalent: 237 mL
• Recommended Straw Size for 8 Oz. Plastic Cups: 6" straws

How Big Is a 10 Oz. Plastic Cup?

10 oz. plastic cups offer a noticeable upgrade from the 8 oz. size, accommodating popular specialty drinks without excessive waste. This volume suits establishments aiming for a premium perception, offering small drinks with slightly larger servings than industry basics. Their proportions snugly fit standard cup holders and tray slots.

• Best Uses for 10 Oz. Plastic Cups: Premium iced coffees and lattes, house-made lemonades, specialty iced teas, larger parfaits, cocktail singles, small milkshakes
• mL Equvalent: 296 mL
• Recommended Straw Size for 10 Oz. Plastic Cups: 7-8" straws

How Big Is a 12 Oz. Plastic Cup?

12 oz. plastic cups are the most popular size of disposable drinkware, satisfying typical customer expectations for a standard drink serving across foodservice segments. Their capacity efficiently balances perceived value with syrup and ice cost management. The dimensions accommodate standard straws and lids seamlessly, making them great for quick-service environments.

• Size Descriptors for 12 Oz. Plastic Cups: Small, medium, regular, tall
• Best Uses for 12 Oz. Plastic Cups: Fountain soda "regular" servings, standard iced teas, juice-based drinks, beer servings, medium smoothies, batch cocktails
• 8 Oz. Plastic Cup vs 12 Oz. Plastic Cup: 8 oz. plastic cups suit premium/strong concentrates (espresso, spirits), while the 12 oz. variants work well with high-volume diluted drinks (sodas, iced tea). The 12 oz. cups offer 50% more volume, impacting ingredient costs and customer satisfaction for value-driven items.
• mL Equvalent: 355 mL
• Recommended Straw Size for 12 Oz. Plastic Cups: 8" straws

How Big Is a 14 Oz. Plastic Cup?

This size accommodates generous portions for specialty beverages requiring extra volume, like layered iced coffees or fruit-forward drinks. They provide clear upsell potential from smaller sizes while maintaining manageable ingredient costs. The stature also offers strong stability for thicker contents like milkshakes or dessert parfaits.

• Best Uses for 14 Oz. Plastic Cups: Medium specialty coffees, iced teas, frappes, milkshakes, substantial smoothies, beer pints, dessert specials, cocktail doubles
• mL Equvalent: 414 mL
• Recommended Straw Size for 14 Oz. Plastic Cups: 8 3/4" straws

16-20 Oz. Plastic Cups

Plastic cup sizes from 16 to 20 oz. dominate the large beverage segment, directly influencing profit margins and customer retention in competitive foodservice markets. These substantial cold cups accommodate popular "large" drink sizes that maximize per-transaction revenue for sodas, iced coffees, and specialty beverages. Precise sizing within this range balances generous portions with ingredient cost control, particularly for syrup-based drinks and premium coffee builds requiring extra ice or toppings. Their optimized dimensions ensure compatibility with standard drive-thru windows and takeout packaging.

How Big Is a 16 Oz. Plastic Cup?

Often called a pint in casual dining, this size satisfies customer expectations for substantial refreshment without excessive waste. Their balanced proportions support stable stacking and efficient storage while accommodating most standard straws and flat lids. Operators favor this volume for its strong profit margins on high-turnover items.

• Size Descriptors for 16 Oz. Plastic Cups: Medium, large, grande, tall boy
• Best Uses for 16 Oz. Plastic Cups: Fountain sodas, iced coffee grande servings, craft beer pints, full smoothies, dessert souffles, frappes
• 12 Oz. Plastic Cup vs 16 Oz. Plastic Cup: Offering 33% more volume than 12 oz. cups, 16 oz. plastic cups are considered to have a higher perceived value for upsells. While 12 oz. cups suit standard soda/tea portions, 16 oz. is ideal for justifying higher price points for premium beverages.
• mL Equvalent: 473 mL
• Recommended Straw Size for 16 Oz. Plastic Cups: 9" straws

How Big Is a 20 Oz. Plastic Cup?

This capacity supports generously layered builds for iced coffees with room for cream, ice, and toppings while minimizing refill requests. Their taller profile requires secure lid seals but drives significant beverage revenue through premium pricing tiers. Operators can leverage this size for high-margin signature drinks and combo meal bundles.

• Size Descriptors for 20 Oz. Plastic Cups: Large, XL, venti
• Best Uses for 20 Oz. Plastic Cups: Fountain sodas, premium iced coffees/lattes, large smoothies/milkshakes, bubble teas, shareable desserts, water cups
• 16 Oz. Plastic Cup vs 20 Oz. Plastic Cup: 20 oz. cups provide 25% more volume than 16 oz. variants, creating clear upsell opportunities for minimal added cost. While 16 oz. cups suffice for standard large drinks, 20 oz. cups excel in value-focused, quick-service environments and for thick, ice-heavy beverages needing extra space.
• mL Equvalent: 591 mL
• Recommended Straw Size for 20 Oz. Plastic Cups: 9" straws

24-42 Oz. Plastic Cups

Plastic cup sizes from 24 to 42 oz. cater to high-margin shareable beverages and bulk dessert presentations within commercial foodservice. These substantial cold cups are profit drivers for limited-menu applications like concession stands, smoothie bars, and family-style eateries, maximizing revenue per transaction. While requiring more storage space, they significantly reduce refill frequency and labor costs for high-volume liquids. Operators leverage these sizes to create signature, social media-worthy offerings that command premium pricing and enhance brand visibility.

How Big Is a 24 Oz. Plastic Cup?

This capacity is ideal for single-serve mega-beverages or smaller shareable portions, striking a balance between indulgence and practicality. Their footprint typically fits standard cup holders, making them suitable for drive-thru operations offering premium large drinks. The size effectively minimizes refills for customers and is a fantastic option for substantial meal combos.

• Best Uses for 24 Oz. Plastic Cups: Large specialty smoothies and iced coffees, individual milkshakes, small batch cocktails for two, slushies
• 16 Oz. Plastic Cup vs 24 Oz. Plastic Cup: The 24 oz. offers 50% more volume than 16 oz. cups, enabling upselling for minimal added ingredient cost. While the 16 oz. serves as a standard large offering, the 24 oz. targets customers seeking extreme value or extended consumption without refills.
• mL Equvalent: 710 mL
• Recommended Straw Size for 24 Oz. Plastic Cups: 10" straws

How Big Is a 32 Oz. Plastic Cup?

This size is the quintessential choice for shareable soft drinks, family-style beverages, and large specialty builds requiring ample ice and mix-ins. Its generous volume supports high-profit margins on fountain drinks with minimal syrup cost increase. Operators value its versatility for both beverages and substantial cold dessert presentations.

• Best Uses for 32 Oz. Plastic Cups: Quart fountain sodas for tables, large bubble teas, extra-thick milkshakes, party cocktails, bulk side dishes, slushies, shareable parfaits
• 16 Oz. Plastic Cup vs 32 Oz. Plastic Cup: The 32 oz. provides double the volume of a 16 oz. cup, transforming a standard single serving into a high-value shareable or extreme single portion with significant upsell potential.
• 24 Oz. Plastic Cup vs 32 Oz. Plastic Cup: The 32 oz. cups offer 33% more capacity than the 24 oz. varieties, making them the true standard for "quart" servings expected in family dining and concessions. 24 oz. plastic cups better suit premium single-serve indulgence.
• mL Equvalent: 946 mL
• Recommended Straw Size for 32 Oz. Plastic Cups: 10 1/4" straws

How Big Is a 42 Oz. Plastic Cup?

Sometimes dubbed a "small bucket", this size creates immediate visual impact for promotional drinks, extreme thirst quenchers, or concession stand specialties. While requiring careful handling due to its stature, it delivers exceptional per-unit revenue and reduces refill labor in high-traffic settings like stadiums or festivals.

• Best Uses for 42 Oz. Plastic Cups: Stadium sodas/concessions, promotional "bucket" specialty drinks, large batch cocktail servings, bulk sauce/dressing storage, giant dessert sundaes, popcorn containers
• mL Equvalent: 1242 mL
• Recommended Straw Size for 42 Oz. Plastic Cups: 12" straws