Buying guide
How tall is a 12, 16, 20 or 24 oz cup?
Updated
Short answer
Oojami's 12 oz clear cup is 3.7 in tall, 3.5 in across the lid and 2.4 in across the base. The 24 oz cup is 6 3/8 in tall, 4 1/8 in across the top and 2 3/8 in across the base. The listings give no measurements for the 16 and 20 oz cups. Cup heights differ from maker to maker, so check the listing before you buy for a shelf or a cup holder.
The ounces on a cup tell you what it holds, not how tall or wide it is. Two 16 oz cups from two makers can have different heights, rims and bases. If the cup must fit a shelf, a carrier or a cup holder, look for measured numbers.
Measured sizes of our cups
These numbers are from the Amazon listings for each size.
| Cup | Height | Top or lid | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 oz, clear | 3.7 in | 3.5 in | 2.4 in |
| 16 oz, clear | Not given | Not given | Not given |
| 20 oz, clear | Not given | Not given | Not given |
| 24 oz, clear | 6 3/8 in | 4 1/8 in | 2 3/8 in |
The 16 and 20 oz listings give no measurement we can confirm. We do not guess them.
How tall is a 16 oz plastic cup?
It depends on the maker and the shape. A tall, narrow cup and a short, wide cup can both hold 16 oz. To know the height of a 16 oz cup, read its listing or measure one. If a listing does not give a height, ask the seller before you buy for a tight space.
Car cup holders
What decides the fit is the base of the cup and the inside of your holder, not the ounces.
- Measure the inside width of your cup holder at the top.
- Compare it with the base of the cup. Most cold cups get wider toward the top, so the cup sits in the holder at the point where the two widths meet.
- Check the height. A tall cup sits high above the holder.
Our numbers:
- 24 oz: the base is 2 3/8 in. If your holder is wider than that, the base goes in. The cup is 6 3/8 in tall, so most of it stands above the holder. We have not tested it in cars.
- 12 oz, clear: the base is 2.4 in and the cup is 3.7 in tall. Compare these with your holder.
The snap-on lid stays on when you set the cup down, and the flap closes to cut splashes. It resists spills, but it can drip if the cup tips, so keep the cup upright.
Choosing by size
12 oz with lids. A short cup for small iced coffees, juice and water. Ours comes in clear, with 100 cups and 100 sip lids per pack.
16 oz. The usual size for iced coffee and most cold drinks. If you buy one size, buy this one.
20 oz with lids. For large iced coffees and drinks with extra milk or ice.
24 oz with lids. The largest size. Its wide 4 1/8 in opening takes a straw, so it works with or without one.
Ours are clear PET, BPA-free and recyclable, for cold drinks only.
Other 12 and 16 oz plastic cups
- Solo UltraClear and GUSTO make clear cold cups in these sizes. They are a good buy if you need a lid style we do not make, such as a dome lid, or a foodservice brand.
- Great Value and Hefty Chill-To-Go are on store shelves. They are a good buy when you need cups today.
Whatever you buy, check that the pack includes lids and that the lid is made for that cup. Lids fit by rim size, not by ounces.
For how much drink each size holds after the ice, see iced drink cup sizes.