Whenever the terms square and round cake tins enter a conversation, you can be assured that a question related to either of the following with crop up:
Question 1. Volume Comparision
For a given size of tin, which one will hold a larger volume?
Question 2. Recipe Conversion
How do I adjust a recipe from a square to round cake tin or visa versa?
Easy Conversions Guide For Square and Round Cake Tins
An easily remembered conversions guide for square and round cake tins would be the following:
Answer 1. Volume Comparision
For a given size tin, a round cake tin will hold approximately 25% (a 1/4) less than a square tin
and
Answer 2. Recipe Conversion
Use a round cake tin that is one size larger than a square tin for a given recipe
Therefore, we can make a simple quick comparison chart (in inches) for adjusting a recipe from a square to round cake tin or visa versa.
= | ||
5″ | 4″ | |
6″ | 5″ | |
7″ | 6″ | |
8″ | 7″ | |
9″ | 8″ | |
10″ | 9″ | |
11″ | 10″ | |
12″ | 11″ | |
13″ | 12″ | |
14″ | 13″ | |
15″ | 14″ | |
16″ | 15″ |
For practical usage that covers what you need to know!
……however, for anyone interested in the mathematics, the following might be of interest.
Advanced Conversions Guide For Square and Round Cake Tins
Volume Comparision
For direct comparison, the following example will use a depth of 4 inches.
Formula for Volume | 3.14r2d | L2d |
Explanation | 3.14 approximates to pi r=radius is half of the diameter r2=r x r d=depth (4 inches in the following example) |
Because it is a square, the length (L) is the same as the width L2=L x L d=depth (4 inches in the folowing example) |
Example: 6 inch tin |
Using the above formula, a 6 inch tin has a radius (r) of 3 3.14r2d 3.14 x 32 x 4= 3.14 x 9 x 4= 113.04 |
Using the above formula, a 6 inch tin has a length (L) of 6 L2d 62 x 4 = 36 x 4 = 144 |
Therefore, comparing the volume of a round cake tin to the square cake tin, we have:
113.04 compared to 144 which can be shown as
113.04 : 144 or
1: 144 ÷ 113.04
which equals approximately 1: 1.27
Thus, the square cake tin has a volume 27% larger than the round cake tin for the ‘same’ size of tin and depth. Therefore, for ease of use, we can say that for a given size tin, a square cake tin hold around 25% (a 1/4) more than a round cake tin. Thus, the original declaration given for ‘Answer 1. Volume Comparision’ remains true:
For a given size tin, a round cake tin will hold approximately 25% (a 1/4) less than a square tin
Recipe Conversion
The following example will compare a 6″ round cake tin with a 5″ square cake tin.
Explanation |
Area of 6″ Round Cake Tin Length of Square Cake Tin Approximation |
Area of 5″ Square Cake Tin Diameter of Round Cake Tin Approximation |
Summary | 6″ round cake tin is equivalent to a 5″ square cake tin | 5″ square cake tin is equivalent to a 6″ round cake tin |
Thus, the original declaration given for ‘Answer 2. Recipe Conversion’ remains true:
Use a round cake tin that is one size larger than a square tin for a given recipe
Overall Summary
The key points you should take from this conversions guide for square and round cake tins are:
For a given size tin, a round cake tin will hold approximately 25% (a 1/4) less than a square tin |
Use a round cake tin that is one size larger than a square tin for a given recipe |
Other articles of interest:
Care of Cake Tins