How full should I fill a cake tin?

As a general baking guideline, fill a cake tin no more than two-thirds full. This is a widely used rule of thumb rather than a precise standard, and it leaves room for the cake to rise without overflowing. The usable volume shown by this calculator is based on this two-thirds default, which you can adjust under Advanced Options for richer batters that rise less or lighter sponges that rise more.

Why is volume important for cake baking?

Knowing the volume tells you how much batter a tin can hold, which is essential when scaling recipes or substituting one tin for another. If your batter exceeds the usable volume, you risk overflow in the oven.

How do I measure my cake tin?

Measure the inside dimensions. For round tins, measure across the top from one inside edge to the other (the diameter). For depth, measure from the base to the top rim on the inside. Don't include any lip or rim overhang.

Can I convert the volume to cups?

Yes. 1 litre equals approximately 4.2 US cups or 4 UK metric cups (250ml each). So a 2-litre tin holds about 8 metric cups of batter.

What size tin should I use for a standard Victoria sponge?

A classic Victoria sponge uses two 20cm (8 inch) round sandwich tins, each about 4cm deep. The total volume needed is roughly 2.5 litres split between both tins. For a single deeper cake, a 20cm tin at least 7cm deep would be needed.

BakeCalcs

Cake Tin Volume Calculator

Calculate the volume of round, square, and rectangular cake tins in litres.

Tin ShapeChoose your tin shape to use the matching volume formula

Diameter

Depth

Inside depth of the tin, measured base to rim

How We Calculate This

The calculator determines the volume of your tin by multiplying the base area by the depth. The result is given in cubic centimetres and converted to litres (1 litre = 1,000 cm³).

Volume Formulas

Round: Volume = π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × depth
Square: Volume = side² × depth
Rectangular: Volume = length × width × depth

Usable Volume

Usable volume defaults to two-thirds of the total volume, following the common baking guideline that leaves headroom for rise
This is a rule of thumb, not a fixed standard — you can change the fill fraction under Advanced Options
Richer, denser batters rise less (fill a little fuller); light, airy sponges rise more (fill a little less)

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are based on standard ratios and conversions. Results may vary with specific ingredients, equipment, and conditions.