A 2 oz jar is not one fixed size — typical jars run about 1.56 to 2.0 inches tall and 1.95 to 2.75 inches wide, depending on shape and the lid it takes.
Two jars both labeled “2 oz” can sit on the same shelf looking nothing alike. One’s a squat, wide-mouthed tub; the other is a tall cylinder with a narrow neck. The capacity matches; the footprint doesn’t. That gap matters when you’re ordering containers, matching lids, or squeezing something into a drawer organiser — so here’s what the dimensions actually come to across the glass and plastic jars sold today.
Why 2 Oz Jars Vary So Much In Size
The capacity is fixed at roughly 2 fluid ounces (about 60 mL, or 16 drams by one industry conversion chart), but height and diameter trade off against each other freely. A maker can spread that volume into a wide, low profile or pack it into a tall, slim tube — both hold the same amount.
Shape is the first lever: straight-sided, squat, low-profile, French square, and double-wall designs all distribute the same 2 oz differently. Material is the second: glass and PP plastic have different wall thicknesses, so the outside dimensions shift even when capacity holds. The lid finish is the third — neck threads like 53-400, 58-400, 28/400, and 70/400 each demand their own diameter, which pushes the whole jar wider or narrower. One more thing worth knowing: a jar sold as 2 oz may list an overflow capacity higher than 2 oz, since “overflow” measures the jar filled right to the brim before capping.
Real 2 Oz Jar Dimensions By Type
Actual listed sizes for current US-market 2 oz jars cluster into a fairly tight window — roughly 1.5 to 2 inches tall and 2 to 2.75 inches wide — with the height rising as the diameter shrinks. The table below pulls the specific figures together.
| Jar Type | Height & Diameter | Lid Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Low-profile plastic, straight base | 1.56 in H x 2.75 in D | 70/400 |
| White PP double-wall plastic | 1.917 in H x 2.368 in D | 58-400 |
| Amber straight-sided glass | 2.0 in H x 2.13 in D | Squat, cap sold separately |
| Clear glass straight-sided squat | ~2 in H, 53-400 cap size | 53-400 |
| Clear glass jar, 53-400 | 1.89 in H x 2.37 in D | 53-400 |
| Thick-wall 53 mm jars | 1.781–1.806 in H x 1.953 in D | 53mm/400 |
| Glass spice jar | 3 3/8 in H with cap, 1 1/8 in opening | 38/485 |
How To Match A Jar To Its Lid
Lid and jar only fit when the thread finish matches — buying a cap “about the right size” almost always leaks. The finish number is stamped in the listing (53-400, 58-400, 28/400, 70/400), and each jar takes its own.
Note that many listings sell the jar and lid separately, so check before you assume a cap is included. The 2 oz clear glass straight-sided squat jar, for example, lists its 53-400 cap as a separate purchase, and the low-profile plastic jar’s 70/400 lid is sold on its own too.
If you’re stocking a kitchen or pantry, the glass spice jar shape runs taller and slimmer than most — 3 3/8 inches tall with its cap, opening 1 1/8 inches wide — which changes how it sits in a rack. For a range of tested options, this roundup of the best 2 oz glass jars covers picks by shape and lid style.
What 2 Oz Jars Cost
Small glass jars sit around a dollar each in bulk listings — a 2 oz French Square Glass Jar at $1.00 per jar and a 2 oz Clear Straight-Sided Glass Jar at $1.20 per jar, with a 2 oz Glass Spice Jar also at $1.00 per jar. Prices shift with quantity and cap choice.
If you want to cross-check standard container sizes against a manufacturer’s reference, Avery Dennison’s container sizes guide is a dependable starting point for matching labels and lids to jar dimensions.
FAQs
Is a 2 oz jar the same as 60 mL?
Often, yes. One industry conversion chart lists 2 oz as about 60 mL, and many jar listings state “2 oz / 59 mL / 60 mL” side by side. The tiny difference comes from rounding fluid ounces to milliliters, and it has no practical effect on capacity for storage or labeling purposes.
Why does the same 2 oz jar come in different heights?
Height depends on how the jar’s shape spreads its volume. A wide, low-profile jar is short and broad, while a straight-sided or spice-style jar is taller and slimmer. Both hold 2 oz — the maker simply chose a different silhouette, often to suit a particular cap size or shelf fit.
Can I use any lid on a 2 oz jar?
No. Each jar has a specific thread finish, such as 53-400, 58-400, 28/400, or 70/400, and the cap must match that finish to seal properly. Check the finish number on the jar listing before buying a lid, since a mismatched cap will not close tightly.
References & Sources
- Avery Dennison. “Container Sizes Guide.” Reference for standard container dimensions and label sizing.
- CP Lab Safety. “Volume Conversion Chart.” Supports the 2 oz = about 60 mL = 16 drams equivalence.
- Uline. “French Square Glass Jars, 2 oz, White Cap.” Source for current per-jar pricing examples.
