Sheet cakes are ideal for serving a crowd due to their minimal layering requirements and ease of transport. They offer a blank canvas for intricate piping designs and other edible decorations, making them perfect for celebrations and catered events. However, selecting the correct size sheet cake for your event can be challenging. Learn more about sheet cake sizes and how to estimate the number of servings per sheet cake.
The Difference between Full, Half, and Quarter Sheet Cake Sizes
Most bakers think of orders in terms of full, half, and quarter sheet cake pans, which can mean a handful of different sizes. As a result, describe the size of your sheet cake by the number of servings you need per cake. This distinction allows you to use a simple equation to find a pan size that works for the application.
Full Sheet Cake Size
Though the sizes differ depending on the bakery, most full sheet cakes fall within the following dimensions:
- Length: 16" to 18"
- Width: 24" to 26"
- Height: 2" to 3"
Half Sheet Cake Size
Half sheet cakes are a popular choice for events with multiple desserts. Most half sheet cake sizes fall within the following dimensions:
- Length: 12" to 18"
- Width: 13" to 18"
- Height: 1" to 3"
Quarter Sheet Cake Size
A quarter sheet cake is a perfect finisher for small celebrations, and most fall within the following dimensions:
- Length: 13"
- Width: 8" to 10"
- Height: 1" to 3"
Number of Servings per Sheet Cake
When determining how many servings you can get from your sheet cake, first decide how large you want each piece. Typically, 2” x 2” or 2” x 3” pieces are suitable sizes for each portion. Then, you calculate the number of servings per sheet cake by dividing the pan area by the cake serving size area.
Sheet Cake Servings Formula
Follow the formula below to determine how many servings yield from a given pan.
Number of Servings = Pan Area ÷ Cake Serving Size Area
- Pan Area = Pan Length x Pan Width
- Cake Serving Size Area = Piece of Cake Length x Piece of Cake Width
Calculating Sheet Cake Servings Example
Follow these steps to calculate the number of servings for an 18" x 26" sheet cake with 2" x 2" cake slices.
- To find the pan area, multiply the pan length by the pan width. 18 x 26 = 468 square-inch pan area
- To find the cake serving size area, multiply the length and width of the cake slice. 2 x 2 = 4 square-inch cake slice area.
- To find the number of servings, divide the pan area by the serving size area. 468 ÷ 4 = 117 servings
Sheet Cake Size Guide
Sheet cake pan sizes may vary by manufacturer. We listed some common full, half, and quarter pan sizes and how many customers you can feed with each type of pan.
Full Sheet Cake Servings
Below are full sheet cake servings based on 2" x 3" and 2" x 2" slice sizes.
- 18” x 26” x 2” - 78 servings; 117 servings
- 18” x 24” x 2” - 72 servings; 108 servings
- 16” x 24” x 3” - 64 servings; 96 servings
Half Sheet Cake Servings
Below are half sheet cake servings based on 2" x 3" and 2" x 2" slice sizes.
- 18” x 13” x 1” - 39 servings; 58 servings
- 12” x 18” x 2” - 36 servings; 54 servings
- 12” x 16” x 3” - 32 servings; 48 servings
Quarter Sheet Cake Servings
Below are quarter sheet cake servings based on 2" x 3" and 2" x 2" slice sizes.
- 13” x 9 1/2” x 1” - 20 servings; 30 servings
- 13” x 9” x 2” - 19 servings; 29 servings
- 13” x 8” x 3” - 16 servings; 24 servings
Sheet Cake Size Video
Watch the video below to learn more about the various sheet cake sizes and their uses:
Choosing the Right Sheet Cake Pan for Your Needs
While different sheet cake pans are available in various materials and styles, the most important thing to consider while shopping is the size. Sheet pans are measured as length x width x height, with the height or depth generally ranging between 1 and 4 inches.
Buy Pans with Cohesive Sizing
Because size conversions can get confusing, one way you can simplify things is to choose pans that have lengths or widths that are divisible by each other. For example, if your full sheet pan is 18” x 24”, you should find a half-size pan with 12” x 18” dimensions and a quarter pan with 9” x 12” dimensions since those numbers are divided evenly into each other.
Select Your Pan Depth Based on Your Cake Layers
The depth of the pan is vital to note whether dealing with a single-layer or double-layered cake. If you want a single-layer cake, use a deeper pan. If you prefer multiple layers, use two shallow pans to bake two thinner cakes or one deep pan to create a tall cake that you can cut into layers once it cools.
You can also use a sheet pan extender to increase the height of your cake. This tool helps prevent your batter from overbaking while simultaneously creating perfectly straight edges.
While no industry standard exists for a full, half, or quarter-sized sheet cake, use inches to describe your cake's dimensions. Whether you're fulfilling a standard sheet cake order or restocking your bakery's inventory, use our simple equation to find the best sheet cake size for your needs.
