A jar volume calculator determines how much a cylindrical jar or container can hold. Enter the inner diameter and height for capacity in milliliters, cups, and fluid ounces.
Jar volume is the liquid or food capacity of a jar, measured using the inner dimensions. Most jars are cylindrical (round cross-section), so the cylinder volume formula applies directly.
Standard jar sizes: half-pint (236 mL / 8 fl oz), pint (473 mL / 16 fl oz), quart (946 mL / 32 fl oz), half-gallon (1,893 mL / 64 fl oz).
Jar volume = π × (inner diameter/2)² × inner height.
Measure the inside of the jar for accurate capacity. The outside dimensions include the glass wall thickness.
Example: Jar with inner diameter 7 cm, inner height 12 cm:
V = π × 3.5² × 12 = 461.8 cm³ ≈ 462 mL ≈ 15.6 fl oz ≈ 1.95 US cups.
ID ~6.5 cm, H ~7.5 cm: V ≈ 249 cm³ ≈ 249 mL ≈ 8.4 fl oz.
ID ~8 cm, H ~18 cm: V ≈ 905 cm³ ≈ 905 mL ≈ 30.6 fl oz.
ID ~4 cm, H ~9 cm: V ≈ 113 cm³ ≈ 113 mL ≈ 3.8 fl oz.
ID ~12 cm, H ~25 cm: V ≈ 2,827 cm³ ≈ 2.83 L ≈ 95.6 fl oz.
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Answers to common questions about the jar volume calculator.
Two methods: (1) Calculate using V = πr²h with inner dimensions. (2) Fill with water and pour into a measuring cup — the most accurate method for irregular-shaped jars.
Half-pint: 236 mL (8 oz). Pint: 473 mL (16 oz). Quart: 946 mL (32 oz). Half-gallon: 1,893 mL (64 oz). These are the nominal capacities.
For canning, leave headspace: ¼ inch (6 mm) for jams/jellies, ½ inch (13 mm) for fruits/pickles, 1 inch (25 mm) for low-acid foods. Usable capacity = jar volume - headspace volume.
Divide total recipe volume by jar capacity. Example: 3 liters of jam ÷ 236 mL half-pint jars = 13 jars (round up to allow for headspace).
1 cup = 236.59 mL. 1 fl oz = 29.57 mL. 1 pint = 473.18 mL. 1 quart = 946.35 mL. 1 liter = 1,000 mL = 33.81 fl oz.