Posted by Mia Wren on 21st Jul 2026
Loaf Tin Sizes: The UK Guide to 1lb, 2lb, 450g and 900g Tins
UK loaf tins come in two standard sizes. A 1lb loaf tin is about 19cm long and holds roughly 0.8 litres (450g of dough); a 2lb loaf tin is about 25cm long and holds roughly 1.5 litres (900g of dough). The pound rating describes the weight of dough the tin holds, not its measurements, which is why sizes vary a little between brands and why the same tins are also sold under their metric names, 450g and 900g.
This page is the whole sizing system in one place: both sizes in cm, inches and litres, which one your recipe means, and how to check a tin that came without a label. For the full detail on each size, there's a dedicated guide to the 1lb loaf tin and the 2lb loaf tin.
UK loaf tin sizes at a glance
| 1lb (450g) loaf tin | 2lb (900g) loaf tin | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall length (incl. rim) | ~19 cm (7.5 in) | ~25 cm (10 in) |
| Top opening (approx.) | 16 x 10 cm | 21 x 11 cm |
| Depth | ~6.5 cm | ~8 cm (3 in) |
| Capacity | ~0.8 litres | ~1.5 litres |
| Dough weight | ~450g | ~900g |
| Bread flour in the mix | ~250g | ~500g |
| Slices | 4–6 | 8–10 |
| Fits an air fryer | Most baskets | Rarely |
These are nominal sizes: tins are rated by capacity, so a few millimetres' difference between brands is normal and doesn't matter. The number that matters is the litres.
Which size does my recipe mean?
If the recipe names a size, that's settled. If it doesn't, work from quantities. Bread doughs made with about 500g of flour, and cake batters using three to four eggs, are 2lb recipes; halve those numbers and you're in 1lb territory. Supermarket bread mixes labelled 500g make a 2lb loaf. Two ripe bananas and 150g of flour is the classic 1lb banana bread, and it's the scale our air fryer banana bread recipe is written for.
Caught between sizes? Fill any tin no more than two-thirds full and bake spare batter separately. A 2lb recipe also splits neatly across two 1lb tins, with about ten minutes off the bake time.
450g, 900g, and the other names on the label
Metric and imperial labels describe the same tins: 450g is the 1lb, 900g is the 2lb, because a pound is 454g. You'll occasionally see 1.5lb or 3lb tins from specialist suppliers, but almost every UK recipe is written for the two standards, and a 1lb-and-2lb pair covers the lot. That's the logic of the 1lb and 2lb set: one tin for the midweek tea loaf, one for the weekend bread.
1lb Loaf Tin
£13.99
The small loaf and air fryer size. Heavy carbon steel, made without PTFE or PFOA.
View product
2lb Loaf Tin
£15.99
The standard family size at a true 25 x 12.5 x 8 cm. Browns evenly, won't warp.
View product
1lb + 2lb Set
£24.99
Both standard sizes, so every UK recipe is covered with one purchase.
View productBatch bakers can also take the 2lb tin as a set of two or the air-fryer-sized pair of 1lb tins, and the full range is in the loaf tin collection. For what separates a tin that lasts from one that warps, our best loaf tin UK guide covers materials and gauge.
How to check an unmarked tin
Fill the tin to the brim with water and pour it into a measuring jug. Around 0.8 litres is a 1lb tin, around 1.5 litres is a 2lb. It beats the tape measure, because capacity is the only thing the sizing actually promises.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a standard loaf tin?
The 2lb tin, at roughly 25 x 12.5 x 8 cm and 1.5 litres. When a UK recipe says "a loaf tin" without a size, it almost always means this one.
What size loaf tin do I need for a 500g bread mix?
A 2lb tin. A 500g flour mix makes roughly 800–900g of dough once the water is in, which is exactly what a 2lb tin is rated to hold.
Do 1.5lb or 3lb loaf tins exist?
They exist from specialist suppliers but are rare, and almost no UK recipe calls for them. A 3lb bake splits across a 2lb and a 1lb tin, or two 2lb tins for a bigger batch, which is why the two standard sizes cover practically everything.
How do I measure a loaf tin without a label?
Use the water test: fill it to the brim and tip the water into a measuring jug. About 0.8 litres means 1lb, about 1.5 litres means 2lb. Length is less reliable because rims and slopes vary between makers.
Are loaf tin sizes the same in the US?
Close but not identical. The common US pan is 8.5 x 4.5 inches or 9 x 5 inches, sitting between the UK 1lb and 2lb. A UK 2lb tin handles most US "9 x 5" recipes; just watch the fill level and use the two-thirds rule.
Related reading: what size is a 1lb loaf tin | what size is a 2lb loaf tin | best loaf tin UK | why bakeware warps | care and use guide | our 10-year guarantee