Measuring A Pan: The Right Way To Size Up Your Cookware

Frying pans come in various sizes, and the most common ones are 8-, 10-, and 12-inch pans. The size of a frying pan is determined by measuring the pan's overall diameter from rim to rim, or wall top to wall top, and not the diameter of its cooking surface. The size displayed on the box or online may not always be accurate as it does not reflect the actual size of the flat cooking surface due to the pan's sloped walls. The cooking surface diameter is usually two to three inches smaller than the advertised size. The size of the frying pan one should buy depends on their household size, cooking style, and the types of food they cook.

Measure the diameter from rim to rim

Measuring the diameter of a pan is a straightforward process. It is done by measuring from one end of the rim to the other, passing through the centre of the pan. This is known as the upper inner diameter. For example, a 28 cm pan will have a 28 cm diameter from one rim to the other. This is the industry standard for measuring pans and it is important to note that the overall diameter of the pan will depend on the thickness of the rim and is therefore not suitable for sizing.

When measuring a round-shaped pan, it is best to avoid measuring the outer ends and instead focus on the inner circle to get the most accurate result. The base diameter, on the other hand, refers to the diameter of the contact surface of the pan, or the surface that touches the stove. This is important to consider when choosing a pan that fits your stove appropriately.

It is worth noting that the size displayed on a pan or its packaging may not always reflect the actual size of the flat cooking surface, as pans have sloped or flared sides that are included in the diameter measurement. Therefore, when measuring the cooking surface of a pan, it is important to measure the flat part of the pan by placing a small level in the centre and marking where the pan starts to curve upward.

Additionally, it is common for pans to be rounded down to the nearest inch when it comes to sizing. For example, a pan marketed as 12 inches may actually measure anywhere between 12 and 13 inches.

Measure the cooking surface

To measure the cooking surface of a frying pan, you'll need to measure the pan's diameter from rim to rim. This is usually the distance between the inside of the rims, but some brands measure from the outside, which can add between a quarter and half an inch.

The size displayed online or on the box may not accurately reflect the actual size of the flat cooking surface, as frying pans have sloped walls. The flat cooking area is smaller than the diameter from rim to rim, and pans with steeper walls will have larger cooking surfaces.

To accurately measure the flat cooking surface, place a small level in the centre of the pan and mark where the pan starts to curve upward. The cooking surface diameter is, on average, two to three inches smaller than the advertised size.

Round-Shaped Frying Pan

• Measure the diameter of the inner circle from one end of the rim to the other, passing through the centre.
• Avoid measuring the outer ends if you want the most accurate result.
• The base diameter is the diameter of the contact surface of the frying pan with the stove.
• The height is the distance from the upper edge to the contact surface.
• The capacity of the frying pan is the maximum holding ability of the skillet.

Square-Shaped Frying Pan

• Measure the longest points of the centre to form a cross.
• Measure and multiply the two results to get the size.
• The base diameter is the surface of your frying pan.
• Measure the height from the outer edge of the skillet from the top edge to the surface, then subtract the thickness of the bottom.

Oval-Shaped Frying Pan

• Measure from the widest part of the centre across the shorter side.
• Measure the height, capacity, and base diameters in the same way as the other shapes.

Measure the height

When measuring the height of a frying pan, you can disregard the lids and handles. All you need to know is the overall height and the inner height, or how deep the pan is. The easiest way to do this is to measure from the edge of the pan and bring any part of the round mouth down to the base, at the edge, just where the curve for the walls starts.

You may also want to measure just the height of the "cooking part" or how deep the inside of the pan is. To do this, measure the thickness of the base of the pan and subtract it from the overall height.

The height of a pan can also be referred to as the outer edge heights, which covers the pan from the upper edge to the contact surface.

The height of a pan is one of the most important measurements to take note of when purchasing cooking supplies. It is also useful to know the height of your frying pan if it is connected to the type of dish you will be cooking.

Measure the base diameter

Measuring the base diameter of a pan is a straightforward process. To get the most accurate result, you should measure the diameter of the inner circle of the pan. Place the pan right-side-up on a flat surface, and use a tape measure to measure from one end of the inner rim to the other, passing through the centre.

The base diameter is the diameter of the contact surface of the pan, so it will be less than the diameter of the top. It is important to measure the base diameter, as this will help you find the best fit for your stove.

It is worth noting that the standard way to measure a pan's size is by its overall diameter, from wall top to wall top, rather than the base diameter. However, the base diameter is still an important measurement to be aware of, especially when it comes to finding the right size for your stove or storage space.

For pans with angled sides, it is best to take the measurement across the base, inside the pan. This is also a good way to ensure that any parchment paper or similar will fit neatly inside your pan.

Measure the capacity

The capacity of a pan is the maximum amount it can hold, which means filling the pan to the brim. This is the international standard.

The capacity of a pan is often misunderstood because the amount of liquid that can be used for cooking is always less than the capacity. This depends on the type of liquid and the cooking intensity. For example, a pot with a capacity of 4 litres can be filled to a thumb's width below the rim with 3.5 litres of water for simmering. However, if the water is bubbling intensely, the pot should not be filled with more than 3 litres of water, or it will boil over.

The capacity of a pan is also dependent on the thickness of the rim. The overall diameter of the pan depends on the thickness of the rim and will vary from pan to pan.

The capacity of a pan might also be slightly less than the stated size because of the thickness of the pan. However, this difference is usually not significant.

Frequently asked questions