Free tool
What size pan do you need?
Tap how many people you cook for. Get the five pan sizes that matter, each linked to the guide that explains it. Switch to turkey mode for roasting pans.
Cooking for
Rules of thumb from our size guides, not product specs. Fill stock pots about two-thirds full; pasta needs 4–6 qt of water per pound.
Pan sizes by household at a glance
The calculator applies the same rules as our size guides. Fry pans are measured across the top rim, so the flat cooking surface is about 2 inches smaller; pots and saucepans are sold by volume in quarts.
| Pan | 1 person | 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless fry pan | 10" | 10" | 12" | 12" + a second pan |
| Nonstick egg pan | 8" or 10" | 8" or 10" | 10" | 10"–12" |
| Saucepan | 2 qt | 2–3 qt | 3 qt | 4 qt |
| Sauté pan | 3 qt | 3 qt | 4 qt | 4 qt |
| Stock pot | 6 qt | 6 qt | 8 qt | 8 qt |
Where the numbers come from
- Fry pans: a 10-inch suits one or two people and a 12-inch cooks for three to five, per our frying pan sizes chart.
- Saucepans: 2 quarts for one, 3 quarts for three or four, 4 quarts for five or more, from the saucepan sizes chart.
- Sauté pans: 3 quarts for one to three people and 4 quarts for four or more (sauté pan sizes).
- Stock pots: 8 quarts is the all-purpose size; pasta needs 4–6 quarts of water per pound and pots work best about two-thirds full (stock pot sizes chart).
- Turkey roasters: about 16 by 13 inches for most birds; All-Clad lists its large tri-ply roaster for up to a 20-lb turkey (turkey roasting pan sizes).
Shop by size at Capital Cookware
Found your sizes? Capital Cookware, an authorized All-Clad dealer, sells most pieces individually, so you can buy exactly the sizes above: fry pans, saucepans, sauté pans and stock pots. To turn your list into one order, use the Set Builder.
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<iframe src="https://theskilletlab.com/embed/pan-size-calculator.html" title="Pan size calculator" width="100%" height="800" style="border:0;width:100%;max-width:760px;" loading="lazy"></iframe>
<p style="font-size:13px;margin:6px 0 0;">Pan size calculator by <a href="https://theskilletlab.com/pan-size-calculator">The Skillet Lab</a></p>
<script>addEventListener('message',function(e){var d=e.data;if(!d||d.skilletlab!=='height')return;[].forEach.call(document.querySelectorAll('iframe[src^="https://theskilletlab.com/embed/"]'),function(f){if(f.contentWindow===e.source)f.style.height=d.h+'px'})})</script>Frequently asked questions
What size frying pan do I need for a family of four?+
A 12-inch stainless fry pan. It cooks for three to five people without crowding. Add a 10-inch nonstick for eggs.
What size saucepan is most useful?+
A 2-quart pan covers most cooking for one or two people; a 3-quart suits three or four; a 4-quart suits five or more.
What size stock pot do I need?+
An 8-quart stock pot is the best all-purpose size: it fits a pound of pasta or soup for a family. Go 6 quarts for one or two people and 12 quarts for batch stock.
What size roasting pan do I need for a turkey?+
About 16 by 13 inches with a rack for most turkeys up to about 20 lb. For 20 to 25 lb, use a roaster whose listing states 25 lb.
How are pan sizes measured?+
Fry pans and skillets are measured across the top rim, so the flat cooking surface is roughly 2 inches smaller. Saucepans, sauté pans and stock pots are sold by volume in quarts.
Can I put this calculator on my website?+
Yes. Copy the embed code on this page. It is free, has no ads, and only asks that you keep the credit link.