Sheet Pan Size report
More and more people love sheet pans for roasting veggies and making one-pan meals, especially for those busy young adults. Last week I tried out this garlicky roast spatchcocked chicken recipe, swapping out sage for thyme and propping the bird up on shallots so it could evenly brown all around. The whole shebang was ready in one hour and required only one dish to clean. You can find more excellent sheet pan recipes online.
If you are also looking for a new sheet pan for your oven, the first thing is to know which size you need. First, measure your oven. Regular sheet pans are huge and meant mainly for restaurant kitchens. Most ovens can accommodate the confusingly named "half sheet pan." If you have a large enough stove, you may be able to put a quarter-sheet pan and roast veggies for the week in one.
A sheet pan lets you spread out meats and veggies, so they are not crowded and can get crisper. It is time to buy a heavy-duty, thick, typically aluminum pan for your family. The following sheet pan sizing guide will quickly help you choose the correct size.
Sheet Pan Size Guide
A sheet pan's size doesn't affect its capability. You can use each sheet pan size for baking, roasting, chilling, and decorating. However, the different quantities each size yields and the pan's compatibility with other kitchen appliances determines their helpfulness for different kitchen settings and food preparation tasks. There are five industry-standard baking sheet sizes:
- Full size sheet pan = 18" x 26"
- 2/3 size sheet pan = 16" x 22"
- 1/2 size sheet pan = 13" x 18"
- 1/4 size sheet pan = 9 1/2" x 13", it is ideal for small ovens or many toaster ovens.
- 1/8 size sheet pan = 6 1/2" x 9 1/2"
Sheet Pan Size Chart
Identify which sheet pan you need by learning the different standard sheet pan sizes, how many will fit on a commercial oven shelf, where each sheet pan size is most valuable, and the benefits of each size.
| Pan Type | Dimensions | Oven Fit | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-size Sheet | 18" x 26" | 1 pan per shelf | commerical settings |
| 2/3 size Sheet | 16" x 22" | 1 per residential oven shelf | home bakeries / small catering business |
| 1/2 size Sheet | 13" x 18" | 2 pans per shelf | eateries with wide menus |
| 1/4 size Sheet | 9.5" x 13" | 4 pans per shelf | limited space operation / food trucks / small-batch bakeries |
| 1/8 size Sheet | 6.5" x 9.5" | 8 pans per shelf | counter services / BBQ restaurants |
Full-Size Sheet Pan
A full-size sheet pan's dimensions are 18" x 26" and typically has sides that are about one inch high. You can fit one full-size sheet pan on each of your commercial oven's shelves. They are generally too large for practical home use. They won't fit in many home ovens.
2/3 Size Sheet Pan
A 2/3 size sheet pan's dimensions are 16" x 22". As the largest baking sheet a standard 30" oven will accommodate, the 2/3 sheet pan size is ideal for home bakeries. While not as large as a full-size baking sheet, a 2/3 size baking sheet can hold a 25-pound turkey and up to three 9" pie dishes.
Half Sheet Pan
Exactly half the size of full-sheet pans, half-sheet pans measure 18-by-13 inches, and sides about one inch high. It is an excellent pan for roasting vegetables since it has plenty of surface area to spread the veg out, giving them room to brown and cook through evenly.
Quarter Sheet Pan
It is the sheet pan for smaller batch cooking and as a space-saving option in limited capacity environments, making them an ideal food truck equipment option. If you need freeze or chill items, quarter-size sheet pans will fit more comfortably in chilling units.
1/8 Size Sheet Pan
It is perfect for oven-to-table use, and you can fit eight 1/8 size baking sheets on each of your standard commercial oven shelves.
Difference between sheet pans and cookie sheets
The difference between a baking sheet and a cookie sheet is baking sheets/sheet pans have raised edges on all four sides, and cookie sheets do not. A cookie sheet is a pan with one raised side, often slanted outward, and three-flat edges. Because it doesn't have sides, a cookie sheet allows air to circulate the baking cookies more easily, cooking them evenly and quickly. It is also easier to slide a spatula under the cookies rapidly transferring them to a cooling rack. And the cookie sheets are often insulated to prevent the bottoms of cookies from browning. Of course, you can bake cookies on any sheet pan.
Jelly Roll
Jelly roll pans typically measure about 15.5 x 10.5 inches. They're the pans you often find (cheaply made) at grocery stores, but good quality ones can be purchased for not much more money.
Choosing quality sheet pans is essential for starting a bakery and all food service establishments. Sheet pans are versatile tools and help you prepare both sweet and savory dishes. My best advice is to take the time to think about the types of baked goods you want to make with sheet pans.
