Finding the right coffee can dimensions can save you time, money, and frustration. Whether you roast at home, collect vintage tins, or just want to know why every kitchen cabinet has that same tall red container, this guide has every measurement you need.
American coffee cans follow strict standards that haven’t changed much in 100 years. Today you’ll learn every common size, exact diameter, height, and even the secret codes printed on the bottom of real metal cans.
Coffee Can Dimensions Chart
| Common Name | Can Code | Diameter | Height | Typical Coffee Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic 1-pound can | 404 × 700 | 4-1/16″ (4.0625″) | 7″ | 12–16 oz whole bean |
| Medium 10-13 oz can | 404 × 550 | 4-1/16″ | 5-1/2″ | 10–13 oz ground |
| Small 6-9 oz can | 404 × 400 | 4-1/16″ | 4″ | 6–9 oz instant/specialty |
| Giant #10 can | 603 × 700 | 6-3/16″ (6.1875″) | 7″ | 3–5 lbs bulk |
| Vintage 2 lb can | 502 × 600 | 5-2/16″ (5.125″) | 6″ | 2 lbs (old key-wind) |
The Classic 1-Pound Coffee Can
What are the dimensions of a 1 lb coffee can?
Exact answer: 4-1/16 inches in diameter by 7 inches tall.
This tall, narrow shape became the American standard in the 1920s. Vacuum-packing technology needed a can that could pull a strong vacuum without collapsing. The 404 × 700 size was perfect.
Even today, a freshly roasted pound of whole-bean coffee fits perfectly with a little room left for the beans to breathe.
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The Shorter 10-13 oz Coffee Can
Walk down any grocery aisle and you’ll see these midsize cans. Same 4-1/16 inch diameter, but only 5.5 inches tall (404 × 550).
Brands love this size for ground coffee because it looks big on the shelf but costs less to fill and ship.
Small Coffee Cans for Specialty and Instant
The smallest common metal coffee can measures 4-1/16 inches wide by 4 inches tall (404 × 400). You see these with instant coffee, decaf samples, or fancy single-origin gifts.
The Monster #10 Coffee Can
What is a #10 can?
It’s the giant one: 6-3/16 inches diameter by 7 inches tall (603 × 700). Restaurants, churches, and emergency food suppliers use these. One #10 can holds about 100–110 ounces of ground coffee — enough for roughly 400 cups.
Why Almost Every Coffee Can Has the Same Diameter
What is the diameter of a metal coffee can?
Answer: 4-1/16 inches (sometimes written 4.0625 inches or exactly 103 mm).
Manufacturers keep the width identical so the same lids, labels, and filling machines work for every size. Only the height changes to adjust volume.
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How Height Changes Everything
Add or remove just half an inch of height and the volume jumps or drops fast.
Example:
- 404 × 400 (4 inches tall) = about 30 cubic inches
- 404 × 700 (7 inches tall) = about 52 cubic inches
That extra three inches almost doubles the capacity.
Folgers Coffee Can Dimensions
What are the dimensions of a Folgers coffee can?
Current plastic Folgers canisters (2025 models):
- Large red 39–43 oz size: roughly 5-15/16 inches diameter by 8-7/8 inches tall
- Classic metal 1 lb (when still made): exactly 4-1/16 × 7 inches
The plastic versions are slightly wider and taller for easier scooping.
How to Measure Your Own Coffee Can at Home
Grab a ruler or tape measure.
- Measure across the very top rim — that’s the true diameter.
- Measure from the table to the top rim (not including any lid that sticks up).
- Check the bottom for the can code — it’s always written like 404 × 700.
Pro tip: Vintage cans sometimes say “one pound net” even if they now hold 13 oz. The outside dimensions never changed.
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Coffee Cans for Crafters and DIY Projects
The classic 1-pound coffee can dimensions make it perfect for:
- Bird feeders
- Storage tins
- Drum practice pads
- Emergency candle kits
Inside measurements after removing the lid: roughly 3-15/16 inches wide by 6-7/8 inches deep.
FAQ’s
What are the dimensions of a 1 lb coffee can?
4-1/16 inches diameter × 7 inches height (404 × 700).
What size is a standard coffee can?
In the United States, the standard is 4-1/16 inches wide by 7 inches tall — the classic 1-pound size used by almost every major brand.
What is the diameter of a metal coffee can?
99% of traditional metal coffee cans in America measure exactly 4-1/16 inches across.
What are the dimensions of a Folgers coffee can?
Plastic Folgers (current): about 5-15/16 inches diameter × 8-7/8 inches tall.
Old metal Folgers: exactly 4-1/16 × 7 inches.
Conclusion
Next time you pick up a coffee can, you’ll know exactly why it feels familiar. The coffee can dimensions you see on shelves today are almost identical to the ones your grandparents used — and that’s not changing anytime soon.
Hi, I’m Lachlan, the admin at Feet2Inches.com. We simplify measurements with our free feet to inches calculator—fast and accurate for any project.
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