Pan Size Converter
Got a recipe for one pan but want to use another? This converter estimates volume, how many pans you’ll need, and what to watch for — because equal footprint doesn’t mean equal volume.
Conversion
- Pans needed
- 1 × Half
- Volume ratio
- 0.75×
- Fill to
- ~75% depth
- 9×13-inch (deep) volume
- ~4.3 L
- Half steam-table pan volume
- ~5.7 L
- Depths
- 3″ → 2.5″
Footprint (to scale)
From: 9×13-inch (deep)
~117 in²
To: Half steam-table pan
~120 in²
How this works & what to watch
- Equal footprint does not always mean equal usable volume — depth matters as much as length and width.
- Fill to about 75% depth to leave room for bubbling cheese.
- The target pan is shallower — spread thinner and check for overflow.
- Cooking time shifts with depth: a shallower, wider bake heats faster; a deeper one needs longer. Bake to 165°F (74°C) in the center rather than by the clock.
Why depth matters
Two pans can share the same length and width but hold very different amounts once you factor in depth. A standard 9×13 and a deep 9×13 have the same footprint, but the deep one holds noticeably more. We estimate usable volume (filled to about 75% to leave room for bubbling cheese) and round pan counts up. Baking time shifts with depth — always bake to 165°F (74°C) in the center rather than trusting the clock.