Aluminum Can Dimensions: Complete Size, Height & Diameter Guide 2026
A standard aluminum can holds 12 oz (355 ml) of liquid. It stands about 4.8 inches (122 mm) tall and measures 2.6 inches (66 mm) in diameter. These numbers stay almost the same across every major USA beverage brand.
Aluminum can dimensions matter more than most people realize. They decide how a can fits on a shelf, how much a label costs to print, and how many units fit in a shipping case.
This guide breaks down every common size with exact height, diameter, and volume specs.
Standard Aluminum Can Dimensions
standard-aluminum-can-dimensions
12 oz Aluminum Can Dimensions (Height, Diameter, Volume)
A 12 oz can is the benchmark size used by Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, and hundreds of other brands. Here are the exact specs:
Height: 4.81 to 4.83 inches (122 mm) Diameter: 2.6 to 2.68 inches (66 to 68 mm) Volume: 355 ml End size: 202 (lid diameter of 2.125 inches)
The slight variation between sources comes down to where the measurement is taken — at the neck, the body, or the widest point of the can. Manufacturers call this body width a 211 diameter code, which means 2 and 11/16 inches.
All Aluminum Can Dimensions Chart
all-aluminum-can-dimensions
(All Sizes at a Glance)
Can Size Chart
Can Size
Height (in)
Diameter (in)
Volume (oz/ml)
End Size
7.5 oz Mini
3.6 in
2.68 in
7.5 oz / 222 ml
202
8.4 oz Slim
5.28 in
2.09 in
8.4 oz / 250 ml
202
12 oz Standard
4.83 in
2.6 in
12 oz / 355 ml
202
12 oz Sleek
6.13 in
2.24 in
12 oz / 355 ml
200
16 oz Tallboy
6.19 in
2.6 in
16 oz / 473 ml
202
19.2 oz Stovepipe
6.25–7.1 in
2.6 in
19.2 oz / 568 ml
202
32 oz Crowler
7.6 in
2.86 in
32 oz / 950 ml
300
This size chart covers more than 95 percent of cans sold in the beverage market today.
Aluminum Can Sizes and Dimensions by Type
Mini and Slim Can Dimensions (7.5 to 8.4 oz)
The mini can is the smallest common format. It stands just 3.6 inches tall and shares the same 2.68-inch diameter as a full 12 oz can. Brands use this size for portion control and kids’ drinks.
The slim can, used heavily by energy drink brands like Red Bull, is a different animal. It reaches 5.28 inches tall but narrows down to just 2.09 inches wide.
The narrow body forces the can to grow taller just to hold the same liquid. This creates a lean, eye-catching silhouette that stands out next to bulkier standard cans.
Sleek Can Dimensions (12 oz)
A sleek can holds the exact same 355 ml as a standard can, but the shape tells a different story. It stretches to 6.13 inches tall while shrinking to 2.24 inches in diameter.
This taller, narrower profile has become the go-to choice for hard seltzers, premium sodas, and craft beverages chasing a more upscale look.
Sleek cans use a smaller 200 end, which is harder to source than the standard 202 end in North America. That sourcing gap is one reason sleek cans often cost a touch more to produce.
Tallboy, Stovepipe, and Large Format Dimensions (16 to 32 oz)
The 16 oz tallboy keeps the same 2.6-inch diameter as a standard can but grows to 6.19 inches tall. Monster Energy and most craft beers rely on this format because it holds 33 percent more liquid without needing new filling equipment.
The 19.2 oz stovepipe pushes even taller, landing between 6.25 and 7.1 inches depending on the manufacturer. Large format cans at 24 oz and 25 oz can stretch past 7 inches, popular in the craft beer and malt beverage space.
At the top end sits the 32 oz crowler, a format breweries use for to-go pours. It needs a wider 300 end and dedicated seaming gear that won’t work on standard 202 filling lines.
Aluminum Can End Size and Diameter Codes Explained
What Does the 202, 211, and 300 End Code Mean?
Every end size code follows the same logic. The first digit is whole inches. The next two digits are sixteenths of an inch.
So 202 means 2 inches plus 2/16, which equals 2.125 inches. The code 211 means 2 inches plus 11/16, which equals 2.6875 inches — this is the body diameter of a standard can, not the lid. The code 300 means a full 3 inches, used on wide-mouth crowler ends.
How to Measure Your Own Aluminum Can’s Diameter and Height
For height, stand the can upright and measure straight from the base to the top rim. For diameter, measure straight across the widest part of the body — usually a few inches up from the bottom, since the top and bottom neck inward.
If you want the circumference, multiply the diameter by 3.1416 (pi). A standard 2.6-inch can gives you roughly 8.16 inches around — the number that label printers actually care about.
Aluminum Can Dimensions for Labels and Packaging
Label Width and Circumference by Can Size
A label has to wrap fully around the can without gaps or overlap problems. For a standard 211-diameter can, the typical label runs 8.125 inches wide and 3.625 inches tall. A 16 oz can needs a taller label, usually around 5 inches, to cover the extra height.
Shrink sleeve labels tolerate small diameter differences better than rigid wrap labels, which is why many craft brands lean on them for sleek and slim formats where the body shape varies slightly between suppliers.
Aluminum Can Material, Weight, and Wall Thickness
Standard Alloy and Wall Thickness Specs
Most aluminum beverage cans use 3004 or 3104 alloy for the body and a separate alloy for the lid. The wall measures just 0.097 to 0.13 mm thick — thinner than a human hair in some spots.
The cylindrical shape does the heavy lifting here, spreading internal pressure evenly so the thin metal doesn’t buckle.
Average Weight per Can and Recycling Value
An empty 12 oz can weighs around 13 to 15 grams. That means roughly 60 to 70 empty cans add up to just one kilogram, which keeps shipping light and cheap.
Aluminum also holds a major edge in recycling. According to industry data, recycled aluminum can return to store shelves in as little as 60 days, and the metal can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality.
This closed-loop cycle is part of why aluminum dominates beverage packaging over heavier steel tin cans.
FAQs About Aluminum Can Dimensions
What size is a standard aluminum can?
A standard aluminum can holds 12 oz (355 ml). It measures about 4.8 inches tall and 2.6 inches in diameter, using a 202 end.
How tall is a 16 oz aluminum can?
A 16 oz can stands 6.19 inches tall. The diameter stays at 2.6 inches, matching the standard 12 oz can for easy production-line compatibility.
What is the difference between a sleek and a slim can?
A sleek can is 6.13 inches tall with a 2.24-inch diameter. A slim can is narrower at 2.05 to 2.09 inches and usually shorter in volume, around 8.4 oz.
What does the 202 end size mean?
The 202 code means 2 inches plus 2/16, equal to 2.125 inches. It’s the standard lid size on most 12 oz and 16 oz aluminum cans.
Do aluminum can dimensions vary by brand?
No. Dimensions follow industry-wide standards set by can manufacturers. Branding and printing vary, but the physical height, diameter, and volume stay consistent across brands within each size class.
How many empty aluminum cans make one pound?
Roughly 32 to 35 empty 12 oz cans equal one pound, based on a standard can weight of about 14 grams each.
Use the interactive Can Dimension Calculator below to calculate can height, diameter, capacity, and volume in seconds.
James Walker is a content researcher and writer specializing in dimensions, measurements, size comparisons, and conversion topics. He creates clear, practical, and easy-to-understand guides that help readers visualize and understand real-world measurements.
