How Many Cups Of Chicken Broth Are In a Can? | The 2-Cup Standard

A standard 14.5-ounce can of chicken broth holds approximately 2 cups, though the exact volume is 1.81 cups. Most recipes round this up for convenience.

You’re stood at the stove, recipe card in hand, and it asks for “one can of chicken broth.” But that can doesn’t list cups on its label—just ounces. The standard 14.5-ounce can found on every grocery shelf from Swanson to store brand pours out just shy of a full 2-cup measure. Knowing that difference means the difference between a perfectly balanced soup and one that’s a touch too thin.

What Size Can Is Standard for Chicken Broth?

The 14.5-fluid-ounce can is the universal size across major U.S. brands. Swanson, Campbell’s, and Gebhardt all package their chicken broth at this volume. Official nutrition labels confirm it: Swanson’s 14.5-ounce can lists a serving size of 1 cup with 2 servings per container, which verifies the roughly 2-cup total.

When you pour a full can into a liquid measuring cup, the level lands just under the 2-cup line. That missing 2 tablespoons is the difference between 14.5 ounces and a flat 16 ounces (2 exact cups).

Why Cans Say 14.5 Ounces Instead of 2 Cups

Broth is sold by net weight but measured by volume in recipes. Because broth is about 99% water, 1 ounce by weight is essentially the same as 1 fluid ounce by volume. The standard can size of 14.5 ounces dates back to the early 20th-century canning industry, where 14.5 ounces became the industry norm for condensed soups and broths.

One cup equals 8 fluid ounces. Dividing 14.5 by 8 gives you 1.81 cups. Most cookbooks and food bloggers round that to 2 cups for simplicity, but the rounding adds about 3 tablespoons of extra liquid if you treat the can as exactly 2 cups.

How to Measure Broth From a Can

Pour the entire contents into a glass liquid measuring cup. The level should sit just below the 2-cup mark. If your recipe requires exactly 2 cups of broth, fill the measuring cup to the 2-cup line and add ½ ounce (about 1 tablespoon) of water

• For recipes calling for “1 can”: Use the entire 14.5-ounce can as-is. The recipe was written for this volume.
• For recipes calling for “2 cups”: Use the can plus 2 tablespoons of water, or open a second can and use what you need.
• For recipes calling for “1 cup”: Measure out exactly 8 fluid ounces from the can. Store the remaining broth properly.

What Other Can Sizes Exist?

Not all broth comes in the familiar 14.5-ounce can. Older recipes and some specialty brands use different sizes. Always check the net weight on the label before substituting.

Can You Use a Can of Broth in Place of Cartoned Broth?

Yes. Canned and cartoned chicken broth are interchangeable in cooking. The key difference is that canned broth comes in a standard 14.5-ounce volume (1.81 cups), while cartons typically hold 32 ounces (4 cups). If a recipe calls for one carton of broth, that’s 4 cups — about 2.2 cans worth.

The can size chart above shows that the 16-ounce square can matches exactly 2 cups, but this size is less common in modern grocery stores. Most brands stick with the 14.5-ounce cylinder.

How to Store Leftover Canned Broth

When a recipe calls for less than a full can, proper storage keeps the rest usable for weeks.

1. Refrigerate: Pour leftover broth into an airtight container. It stays fresh for 4–5 days in the refrigerator after opening.
2. Freeze for longer storage: Pour broth into a freezer-safe zip-top bag — never use a thin sandwich bag, which will leak. Write the broth type and date on the bag with a permanent marker.
3. Portion smartly: Freeze in 1-cup or 2-cup portions so you can thaw exactly what a future recipe needs. Label the exact volume on each bag.
4. Remove air: Squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible before sealing. This prevents freezer burn — those white, icy spots that dull the flavor.
5. Freeze flat: Lay bags flat on a baking sheet until frozen solid, then stack them upright like files. Broth stored this way keeps for up to 6 months.
6. Check the When thawed, the broth should pour freely with no icy crystals or off-smell. If you see white, crusted spots across the surface (freezer burn), the quality has declined — discard it.

Pricing and What to Expect at the Store

A single 14.5-ounce can of chicken broth runs about $1.50 to $2.50 at major U.S. grocery chains (Kroger, Walmart, Target). Bulk packs of 24 cans from brands like Swanson range from $35 to $45, bringing the per-can cost below $1.60. Cartoned broth costs slightly more per ounce but offers the convenience of a resealable pour spout.

Two Common Measuring Mistakes

The most frequent error is treating 14.5 ounces as exactly 16 ounces (2 cups). That 1.5-ounce discrepancy adds 3 tablespoons of extra liquid to your recipe. In a soup, this is negligible. In a dish where the broth-to-solid ratio matters, like a risotto or a pan sauce, it can thin the final result noticeably.

The second mistake is confusing weight with volume. A can of broth says 14.5 ounces on the label, and it’s easy to assume that’s the volume. It is — because broth is nearly all water, weight and volume are interchangeable here. But if a recipe refers to an older can size (No. 300 at 13.5 ounces, or a No. 1 Picnic at 9.5 ounces), the numbers won’t match the modern standard. Always check the net weight on the label before you pour.

Can Sizes at a Glance: Which One to Grab

End-of-Article Verification: One Rule to Remember

Before opening any can of chicken broth, flip it over and read the net weight. If it says 14.5 oz, you’re holding roughly 2 cups, and every major U.S. brand uses this size as the standard. If the recipe was written for an older can size, the number on the label tells you which conversion to use. A 16 oz can sits closer to the cabinet’s back, but the 14.5 oz can is what will be in your hand most of the time.