Pint vs Quart: How To Choose the Right Food Container Size

Primary keyword: Pint vs Quart

 

A quart is exactly two pints. According to US measurements, one pint contains 16 fl oz, or 473 ml, while a quart holds 32 fl oz, or 946 ml. That conversion is the easy part. Choosing between the two is harder, because the size on the carton does not always tell the full story.

Capacity, lid fit, coating, and carton count all change with the size. Here is how you can make the right decision.

Pint vs Quart: What Is the Real Difference?

Pint and quart come from the same family. A quart contains two pints, meaning one pint is half a quart. A gallon contains 4 quarts, so one quart is a quarter of a gallon.

The catch is that a pint is not the same everywhere. US customary and British Imperial measures use the same names for different volumes. An Imperial (UK) pint contains 20 fl oz, or 568 ml. That is 95 ml more than a US pint, which is nearly a fifth larger.

Unit	US Customary (fl oz)	US Metric (ml)	Imperial (UK) (fl oz/ml)
Pint	16	473	20/568
Quart	32	946	40/1,136
Half gallon	64	1,893	80/2,273
Gallon	128	3,785	160/4,546

This conversion scale is highly valuable if you deal internationally. A UK buyer buying a container with "1 pint" label may get 473 ml instead of 568 ml.

Therefore, always print both figures on your product, so there is no confusion before it reaches your customers. Go for something like "473 ml / 1 US pint".

Why a 16 oz Cup Holds Different Volumes

The name you see on the spec sheet is actually a category, not the volume a cup can hold. This means two cups both sold as 16 oz can carry different volumes. One may measure 480 ml when filled with water, and another can go as high as 500 ml.

This is because of the cup's construction. The top opening, base diameter, and height vary across different molds, so you will also get different finished volumes.

There is also a difference between brim capacity and filled capacity. Brim capacity measures the volume of a cup filled to the very edge, so your usable volume is below that line.

For a frozen dessert, you also need headspace for a domed scoop or toppings. So, always ask your supplier for measured capacity in milliliters instead of the category.

Pint vs Quart: Which Size Fits Your Product?

The right container size depends on what your business sells and who eats it. Here is how the two sizes are divided across three common product lines:

Ice Cream Cup

For frozen desserts, pint is usually your take-home size.

Below that, the sizes do specific jobs. For instance, 3–5 oz is ideal for tasting portions and kids' servings. Similarly, 8–12 oz works best for sundaes with enough topping headroom.

A pint-size cup also suits different retail freezer scenarios. Smaller cups take less shelf width, so you can display more flavors in the same space.

This also protects your product. Customers finish a pint in one or two sittings, which saves time thawing and freezing.

If you need a quart volume for a frozen product, you have to choose a 32oz ice cream cup type or 1000ml or bigger bowl size.

Soup Containers

Hot food is where the quart fits the best. A pint covers single-serve soup, while a quart covers family portions and catering. A soup container range usually spans 8 oz to 32 oz, so it gives you both sizes.

Deli, Salad, and Meal Prep

The pint size is ideal for sides, dressings, and single portions. On the other hand, quart works best for bulk sides, shared salads, and all sorts of prepped meals.

 

How to Choose Lids for Pint vs Quart Containers

The lid you choose is very important. If you get it wrong, you might end up with lids in double stock that won't be of any use.

Three lid types usually cover all needs. First come paper lids, which stack flat easily and freeze well. They also take the same printing as the cup.

On the other hand, PET dome lids offer vertical space above the rim. You can use them when you're adding a scoop to the top of the cup or when you want to show the product from the outside.

Lastly, you can easily reseal PP lids, so they're ideal for hot soup and on-the-go foods.

Rim Diameter Decides Lid Sharing

Rim diameter decides which lid fits the container. In most countries, it runs flat across several sizes.

In one standard soup range, the 8 oz, 12 oz, and 16 oz all share a 98 mm top opening. These three sizes take one lid. This means a pint and a quart may not share a lid, but the sizes below your pint probably can.

So, ask for rim diameter on every size before you order, then build your range around the shared rims.

If you sell custom ice cream cups with lids, confirm your printed lid matches every cup you plan to pair it with.

Eco-Friendly Options for Pint and Quart Packaging

Your choice of material primarily depends on the temperature. For example, the PE coated board handles both hot and cold food while preventing liquid from soaking into the paper.

A plant-based alternative is PLA lined board. It softens near 55°C, so it is not recommended for hot soups.

However, since frozen desserts never approach such high temperatures, PLA becomes a better option for an ice cream tub with lid. Freezer-grade cups hold their shape down to around -22°C.

Your lid can go the same way. A paper lid makes sure the whole pack stays in one material stream. With a plastic lid, you get a tighter seal.

One thing to note is that compostable usually means industrial composting. So, check what waste stream your customers have. A compostable cup with no composting facility is just for marketing.

What To Confirm Before You Order

Whether you go for pint vs quart, make sure to check these six things to stay on the safe side:

Measured Capacity. When talking to a supplier, focus on filled capacity in millilitres. Don't rely on the nominal ounce name. Then check it with your fill line and label claim.

Rim Diameter. Get the number for every size in your range. Once done, group the sizes that share a rim. This will help you cut your lid count efficiently.

Temperature Rating. Confirm the freezer rating for frozen product and the heat rating for hot fill. Always ask your supplier about the tested figure instead of trusting a general food-safe claim.

Coating Type. Specify PE or PLA up front. The coating decides both your temperature ceiling and disposal claim.

Minimum Order Quantity. Custom printing carries an MOQ per size, so every extra size is a separate commitment. Confirm the figure for each size before you finalize your range.

Carton Count. Always ask for carton count and dimensions on every quote. That's because larger cups nest less tightly, so a quart ships fewer units per carton than a pint. For instance, in one standard range, a 16 oz packs 1,000 per carton while a 32 oz packs 500 per carton. This changes your freight cost per unit and storage needs.

Final Word

A quart is two pints. When deciding between pint vs quart, make sure to order against measured capacity. Also, group your sizes by shared rim and match the coating to your temperature.

Browse the Haokelao range of ice cream containers with lids and soup containers to compare different sizes and choose the one that best suits your needs. Request samples before you commit to a bulk order.

FAQs

How many pints does a gallon have?

A US gallon has 8 pints. A gallon holds 4 quarts, and each quart holds 2 pints. An Imperial gallon also holds 8 pints, but each one is larger. That makes the Imperial gallon roughly 4,546 ml against 3,785 ml for the US version.

Can you freeze a paper soup container?

Yes, you can freeze a paper soup container if it carries a PE or PLA coating and a stated freezer rating. Kraft paper containers retain their shape at temperatures near -22°C without warping. But when ice cream storage and thawing and freezing, you have to choose the double PE coated ice cream cups.

Why do US and UK pints hold different amounts?

The US and UK systems set their fluid ounce differently, and the pint followed that gap. The UK redefined its gallon in the 19th century, while the US standardized the earlier wine gallon.