---
title: "Can sizes: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates"
description: "A 400 g tin in Europe and a 15 oz can in the US are close but not the same. See the common can sizes and how to swap one for another."
url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/can-sizes"
---

# Can sizes

A 400 g tin in Europe and a 15 oz can in the US are close but not the same. See the common can sizes and how to swap one for another.

Also called Tin sizes, Tin.

Recipes often call for "1 can" of tomatoes, beans or coconut milk without saying how big the can is. The size depends on where the recipe was written. Cans are called tins in the UK, Ireland and Australia. The weight on the label is the net weight, which includes the liquid.

## How to use it

These are the sizes you will meet most often:

| Recipe says                                                              | Usual size          | Where                 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------- | --------------------- |
| 1 can tomatoes                                                           | 400 g               | UK, Europe, Australia |
| 1 can tomatoes                                                           | 411 g (14.5 oz)     | US                    |
| 1 large can tomatoes                                                     | 794 g (28 oz)       | US                    |
| 1 can beans or [chickpeas](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/chickpea) | 400 g               | UK, Europe, Australia |
| 1 can beans                                                              | 425 g (15 oz)       | US                    |
| 1 can coconut milk                                                       | 400 ml              | most countries        |
| 1 can coconut milk                                                       | 13.5 fl oz (400 ml) | US                    |
| 1 small can tomato paste                                                 | 170 g (6 oz)        | US                    |

A 400 g can of beans or chickpeas gives about 240 g drained, which is about 1½ cups. A 15 oz can in the US gives about the same.

The small differences between a 400 g tin and a 411 g or 425 g can do not matter in a soup, stew or curry. They do matter when a can of something is most of a cake batter or a sauce that has to set. In that case weigh what you need on a [kitchen scale](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/kitchen-scale).

Older American recipes sometimes use can numbers. A No. 303 can holds about 450 g (16 oz), a No. 2 can about 570 g (20 oz), and a No. 10 can, used in restaurants, about 3 kg (6 to 7 lb).

## How to store it

Once you open a can, move what is left into a covered glass or plastic container and keep it in the fridge. Acidic foods such as tomatoes can take on a metal taste if left in the open can. Use leftovers within 3 to 4 days.

## Common mistakes

* Reading a can's [ounce](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/ounce) weight as [fluid ounces](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/fluid-ounce). The label weight is the weight of the whole contents, not the volume.
* Using the liquid from the can when the recipe says "drained". The extra liquid thins sauces and makes fritters fall apart.
* Swapping a 28 oz can where "1 can" meant 400 g. That is almost twice as much.

## In recipes

Look for "1 x 400 g tin chopped tomatoes", "one 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed" and "a 14-ounce can coconut milk". When a British recipe says "a tin", assume 400 g.

## Related terms

* [OunceAn ounce (oz) is a unit of weight, about 28 g. It is not the same as a fluid ounce, which measures volume. Here is how to convert ounces to grams.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/ounce)
* [GramThe gram is the metric unit of weight most of the world cooks with. Weighing in grams is faster and more accurate than cups. Here is how to convert.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/gram)
* [ChickpeaChickpeas are round, nutty legumes used in hummus, curries and salads. In the US they are also garbanzo beans, in India chana, in Italy ceci.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/chickpea)
* [Fluid ounceA fluid ounce measures volume, not weight. A US fl oz is 29.6 ml and a British one is 28.4 ml. Here is how they compare to cups and pints.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/fluid-ounce)
* [Kitchen scaleA kitchen scale weighs ingredients in grams or ounces, which is far more accurate than cups for baking. Here is how to use one and the tare button.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/kitchen-scale)

[More in measurements](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/measurements)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)