Have you ever found yourself confused standing in front of shelves flooded with different sizes of jars? Have you ever had difficulty selecting which jar is suitable for you? Well, anyone can be confused because of so many shapes, sizes, and phrases used for them, such as "regular mouth" and "wide mouth" jars. Mason jars are one of the best items you can use for household use, decor, and crafting. You can identify their importance with the following report regarding the Mason jar market size in 2024:
In the year 2024, the global canning jar market size was reported to have increased from $5.48 billion to $923. These figures recorded in this report belong to the USA mason jar market only. [Report Credit: nbcrightnow.com]
Different uses and needs demand different sizes of jars, just like the distinct types of knives we use for carving different food items. If you understand the right size, it will help you to choose the right size jar for your needs. Whether you want to store tasty snacks, cold-brew coffee, perform fermentation, or can pickles, the mason jars can serve all these needs. The right size will help you choose the right type of jar for your storage needs.
In this blog, we are going to explore the types of mason jars and mason jar sizes to fulfill your kitchen and other needs. If you are a newbie stepping into the business world, this blog is the ultimate guide for you. We will discuss the mason jars in detail, including the lids and mouth diameter of the jars and the pour spout compatibility. By the end of this guide, you will be able to choose the right-sized mason jars for your business. You will never choose the wrong jar again, whether it is for food and beverages or a gift shop. Let’s get started!
The Mason jars are glass jars or containers introduced by John Landis Mason in 1858. These are the jars designed to serve multiple purposes by ensuring an airtight seal with the help of screw-on lids and a threaded neck. The lid is basically made of two-part metal that has a flat disc with a screw band below it.
They are regulated by the FDA to ensure food safety, so these jars are made from clear glass that is a non-reactive material. This makes it suitable for fruit and vegetable preservation, dry food storage, canning, and fermentation. Because the airtight seal will maintain their freshness. Last but not least, they keep the contents and ingredients visible and look aesthetic. That’s why they are also used as a decor item.
These jars are a budget-friendly packaging option for many products that also gives an aesthetic feel. It instantly captures the customer's attention and helps people to know your brand in the presence of thousands of other brands. If you properly label them and incorporate elements like QR codes, you will get a competitive edge over your business rivals and competitors.
The Mason jars are divided into two types because of the difference in their mouth sizes. Regular mouth and wide mouth jars can be differentiated by the measure of their opening. Let’s have a look at each type of jar to understand them better:
The regular-mouth Mason jars are the traditional jars that are generally used for most of the purposes. They have an opening of 2 1/3 inches from the inside and 2 3/4 inches from the outside. Their narrow opening makes pouring liquids and storing ingredients like jellies, pie fillings, salsas, and condensed items easier. They are best for storage and preservation of jams, sauces, syrups, and cold brew.
Don’t ever think that these jars are only for household food storage. These jars also come in handy, so you can use them as decorative containers, store craft materials, make reusable DIY candle holders, and use them as piggy banks. These are one of the top-selling jars and are easily available in the market. Why? Because they are compatible with different types of lids and accessories.
If you want a replacement for regular jars because you find them difficult to clean, wide-mouth jars are for you. You can differentiate them from regular mouth jars by looking at their wide opening. They offer you a mouth size of 3 inches, which allows you to reach the jar's bottom by hand.
The wide opening makes filling, scooping, and storing chunky and bulk ingredients easy for you, which regular mouth jars cannot. Use them as storage containers for your layered salads, whole pickles, fruits, vegetables, halved peaches, tomato chunks, and other bulky ingredients. These containers are spillproof, so they will not leak. Feel free to store pantry staples, including the flour, oats, and beans, and the best thing is they will remain fresh.
Just like regular jars are not for food storage only, the same is the case for wide-mouth jars. Different users have different applications of these jars. The cold brew enthusiasts use these containers to get a hassle-free infusion when they combine them with the stainless steel filters. DIY makers love to use these jars as a compost-filled bin, rustic vase, or countertop organizer. You mostly found them in cafes, homes, and craft setups as a decor element.
When you are choosing the right size jar, it’s not about how it looks. It helps you in estimating the quantity of the ingredients or contents you will be storing in them. If you choose the wrong size by mistake, this will result in wasting or spoiling the food items. For items like jellies and jams, regular mouth jars are used. On the other hand, if you want a jar for whole fruits, vegetables, and pickles, a wide-mouth jar is recommended. If you mention the quantities of ingredients on the jar, it will reflect your brand’s credibility. The best thing is it will convey loyalty to customers.
Generally, everyone uses the standard sizes of regular and wide mouth jars. But it’s not a hard and fast rule. You can also get jars of custom sizes and shapes to sell your canned food and drinks in custom quantities. If you are looking for custom jars, either with a regular or wide mouth opening, you can explore:
| Pickle Jar | Honey Jars | 80 mm Glass Roll Jars |
Imagine yourself in a situation where you are surrounded by thousands of flasks in different sizes and shapes. You are confused about which jar you should choose that meets your storage needs. Here, the mason jar sizes chart will be a helpful tool in deciding which jar you should choose:
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Mason Glass Jar Packaging Details |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Volume (oz) |
Number of cups |
Height Approximately (inches) |
Mouth Type |
Opening Diameter |
Best Use |
Freezer Use |
| 4 | 1/2 cup | 2.25 | Regular | 2.5 inch | Use them for the storage of condiments, chutneys, spices, herbs, butter, and gift jars | This option is not freezer safe, so it is not recommended. |
| 8 | 1 cup | 3.75 | Regular/Wide | 2.5/3 inch | For the storage and preservation of jams, sauces, jellies, and yogurt | This can be freezer safe, but you have to leave empty headspace. |
| 16 | 2 cups | 5.2 | Regular/Wide | 2.5/3 inch | Soup, salads, iced coffee, and overnight oats | Yes, it is freezer safe. |
| 24 | 3 cups | 6.8 | Wide | 3-inch | Layered meals, dry goods, and cold brew | Yes, it is freezer-safe. |
| 32 | 4 cups | 6.9 | Regular/Wide | 2.5/3 inch | Pasta, pantry storage, smoothies, and canning of pickles | Yes, it is freezer-safe. |
| 64 | 8 cups | 9.1 | Wide | 3-inch | Fermentation, tea, Kombucha, bulk grains | This will be safe only in the upright position. |
| 128 | 16 cups | 10.5 | Wide | 3-inch | These jars are used as flower vases, party punches, and decorative storage | Not an ideal option for freezing. |
For freezing purposes, always use the jars in an upright position. To prevent cracking during freezer storage and withstand the abrupt temperature changes, you need to leave a headspace of one inch.
Mason jars are made from lime glass, not tempered glass; therefore, they must not be exposed directly to sudden and high temperatures.
Variation In Sizes of Mason Jars From Different Brands
The size of jars from different brands is usually standard. Ball mason jar sizes, jar sizes of Kerr, and Canadian-made Bernardin jars slightly differ in size due to the thread and the ring shape.
The majority of the lids fit perfectly with a wide range of jars. But when you are using the specialty lids, you need to be specific about the type of jar.
The regular mouth mason jar is the most general glass jar used, and it comes with a diameter of 2 3/8". The following chart describes the standard sizes available for regular mouth jars:
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Regular Mouth Mason Jar Packaging Dimensions |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Size |
Ounces |
Cups |
Height |
Width |
Straw Size |
Best For |
| Jelly Jar | 4 oz | 1/2 | 2 1/4" | 2 3/4" | N/A | Snacks, dips, organization, kid-size portions |
| Half Pint | 8 oz | 1 | 3 3/4" | 2 3/8" | Short | Hot & cold kids cups, crafts, sorting, pen holder |
| Three Quarters Pint | 12 oz | 1 1/2 | 5 1/4" | 2 3/8" | Medium | Candle holder, dry goods, toothbrush holder |
| Pint | 16 oz | 2 | 5" | 2 3/4" | Medium | Hot & cold drinks, flower vase, soap pumps |
| Quart | 32 oz | 4 | 6 1/4" | 3 3/8" | Long | Solar lights, coin banks, bug houses, dry goods |
The wide-mouth jar is the one with an opening of 3 inches. Due to the wide opening, these glass containers are easy to clean. The table below lists the standard sizes of wide-mouth jars available on the market:
|
Wide Mouth Mason Jar Packaging Dimensions |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Size |
Ounces |
Cups |
Height |
Width |
Straw Size |
Best For |
| Half Pint | 8 oz | 1 | 2 1/2" | 2 7/8" | N/A | Snacks, dips, spreads, a ramekin with a lid, air freshener |
| Three Quarters Pint | 12 oz | 2 | 4 5/8" | 3" | Medium | Hot & cold cups, leftovers, to-go lunch, straw organizer |
| Pint | 16 oz | 1 1/2 | 6 5/8" | 3" | Long | To-go smoothies, salads, hot & cold big drinks |
| Quart | 32 oz | 4 | 6 1/2" | 3 3/8" | Long | Cold brewing coffee, store juice, soup, snacks, nuts, and more |
| Jelly Jar | 4 oz | 1/2 | 9 1/8" | 4" | Extra Long | Fermentation, sun tea, dry good storage, countertop compost |
The type of mouth jar you choose makes a huge difference in setting up your kitchen or craft. A regular mouth mason jar will be narrow, while the wide-mouth jar will offer you a wide opening. Let’s compare both types of jars to find out which is the best to accommodate your needs:
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Regular Mouth vs Wide Mouth Mason Jars Comparison |
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|---|---|---|
| Parameter | Regular Mouth Mason Jar | Wide Mouth Mason Jar |
| Diameter of opening | The inner diameter of regular mouth jars is approximately 2 3/8" or 60 mm. | The inner diameter of the wide mouth jars is 3" or 76 mm wider than the regular mouth. |
| Jar Shape | The shape of the regular mouth jars is shouldered with a narrower opening. | The shape of these jars has a straight-sided, wide opening. |
| Best For | Due to the narrow opening, they are suitable to carry liquids, jams, cold brew, and sauces. They are ideal for small freezing. | The wide opening allows to keep and freezing of whole fruits, dry goods, and food in bulk quantities. |
| Storage Space | Takes compact space that fits the shelves. | They need an open storage area for their bulky presence. |
| Why Use? | If you want ease of pouring without spilling the contents, go for regular mouth containers. | When you do not need much control and have to scoop content, go for wide mouth jars. |
| Ease of Cleaning | Cleaning is hard due to the narrow opening. | Cleaning is easier as you can reach inside the jar and clean it by sponge or your hand. |
| Accessory Fit | Pour sprouts and jar lids match its dimensions. | This needs wide mouth lids or filters for a perfect fit. |
| Availability | They are easily available at yard sales. | Wide mouth jars are common in modern home settings and online stores. |
| Cost | Regular mouth jars are affordable and commonly available. | The wide mouth jars are expensive because of their wide mouth. |
When you are choosing the right size of the jar, it’s not about just matching a style or what contents you can store in these jars. It is directly linked to the functionality and the variety of sizes suitable for preparing food, storing ingredients, or selling a product. This makes storage and preservation simpler and faster. Let’s discover the right sizes for different needs:
The primary use of mason or glass jars is the preservation of food and meal preparation. Various-sized mason jars are used for food preparation and preservation of food. Let’s discover the sizes of mason jars for food storage:
8 oz: This is the smallest size used for sauces, dips, dressing, and snacks. This size is used in situations where portion control and portability are necessary.
16 oz: This jar size is the commonly used size among people who use it for one serving of soup, smoothie, or overnight oats.
32 oz: These quart jars are large containers that hold adequate volumes without consuming a lot of space. This size is preferred for those who have to manage prepared food in bulk quantities.
Here is a point to note that if you have to handle liquids, go for regular mouth jars. If you have to store thicker foods and layered meals, you must go for a wide mouth jar.
The jams, sauces, and other pourable items cannot be consumed at once, and they are prepared in large quantities. If you have to store and preserve jams for the long term, you need regular mouth jars. The whole fruit or chunky veggies need to be sealed airtight so that they can be fresh for the long term.
32 or 64 oz: This size is ideal for the storage of grains, beans, flour, or sugar. Whether you choose the regular mouth or wide mouth jar, it all depends on the type of ingredient you are going to preserve or can. This maintains the freshness and quality of the ingredients you will store.
Don’t think that Mason jars are for the kitchen only. Bring them outside the kitchen and use them for gifting, home decor, such as candles, scrubs, or spices, and packaging. Different sizes are used for different purposes:
4 to 8 oz: This size of jars is used for the storage of candles, scrubs, and spices that you can find in retail or online sales, or at a local yard sale.
16 or 32 oz: The higher value products or products in large-sized packaging are stored in these sizes of jars. They serve as a compromise between the appropriate content and the aesthetics.
Quart and Half Gallon: These sizes of jars are used for decorative items, including flowers and holiday decorations. They are used for decorations because of their clean and transparent appearance.
Although standard sizes are available in the market with proper labeling, either by embossing or labels. But if you want to measure the mason jar sizes by yourself for your satisfaction, we can also help you with that. Here are a few things you can do to check the sizes of jars by yourself:
You can find the mouth size by measuring the diameter of the opening of the jar. If the diameter is approximately 2.75 inches or 70 mm, it’s the regular mouth jar. Wide mouth jars have a diameter of approximately 3 inches or 86 mm.
In addition to the mouth size, you can consider the volume of the jar to find the right size. Look at the volume mentioned at the bottom by embossing. You can also fill the jar and then pour the contents into the measuring cup.
Height is another way to measure the jar size. Measure the height of the jar and compare it with the pint or quart jars. Pint mason jars have a height of 5 inches, and the quart mason jars are 6.75 inches tall.
Compare the mouth of the jar with the standard credit card. The diameter of a regular mouth jar is less than the credit card length, while the diameter of a wide mouth jar is larger than the length of a credit card.
Do you feel difficulty in choosing the right size jar for your product? Well, that’s not a problem. By following the given tips, you can easily choose the right size that best suits your storage needs:
The diameter of these jars determines the mouth size that helps you to choose the right size according to the contents. Keep in mind that for thicker food items, like layered salads and peanut butter, wide-mouth jars should be used. If you have to deal with pourable liquids, such as sauces, jams, and similar items, wide-mouth jars are used.
Now, consider how you will use these containers for storage. If you want to use it as a gift, the 4 or 8 oz size of jar will be enough. If you want a jar for bulk storage, you can choose either a 32-oz or 64-oz container.
The Mason or glass jars are sensitive containers that can be shattered or broken due to external pressure during shipping and display. Therefore, to protect them from damage, mason jar storage boxes are used that not only protect these fragile containers but also make your brand visible. They can be customized in the desired length x width x height for proper jar storage. This is how the custom boxes can shape your mason jar business while storing and protecting them from damage:
The custom boxes printed with your brand logo, messages, and slogans make your brand visible to the people. The attractive packaging captivates the customer's attention, and your brand gets noticed, which increases the chances of sales.
The custom boxes with attractive packaging grab attention and make sure it is visible to the customers.
These jars or containers are sensitive and can be shattered during handling, storage, and shipping. These boxes are made from durable materials that offer strength against damage and external pressure.
MyBoxPrinting is an experienced packaging partner that offers boxes in custom shapes, sizes, and styles according to industry standards. It’s been a choice of 500+ businesses for their packaging solutions that have increased their sales. If you are a food seller, we are not just limited to providing boxes and bags. We can provide you with custom-sized glass and mason jars to accommodate different quantities with proper labels and finishes.
On the other hand, if you are a glass jar manufacturer, we can provide you with sturdy packaging that protects your jars during display, storage, and shipping. They will be branded with your logo, messages, and slogans, and will make sure your brand gets the limelight over other brands. We offer wholesale rates, free design assistance, finishes, and endless customization options.
What are the standard sizes of mason jars?
The standard sizes of mason jars include half pint, three-quarter pint, pint, and quart. These sizes vary according to the type of mason jar you choose.
What size Mason jar is 300 ml?
The 10 oz Mason jar is used to accommodate the 300 ml quantity of overnight oats, Jam, Jelly, Honey, and other similar items.
How do right-sized mason jars help you grow your business overnight?
The right-sized mason jars allow businesses to save on profits when purchasing in bulk, enhance packaging appeal, and do proper branding. Because of their classy and transparent appearance, they are more likely to attract customers and convince them to try your products.
What size mason jar for overnight oats?
The best mason jar sizes for overnight oats are usually 8 to 16 oz wide mouth mason jars. These sizes provide a good capacity to store overnight oats and other mix-ins like fruits.
What sizes do mason jars come in?
The Mason jars come in four standard sizes: half pint, three-quarter pint, pint, and quart for both regular mouth and wide mouth jars.
What size mason jar for sourdough starter?
The best sizes of mason jars for sourdough starter are from 16 oz/pint to 32 oz/quart. The 16 oz size is good for daily maintenance purposes, while on the other hand, a 32 oz jar offers ample room for high-activity fermentation with overflow.
Mason jars are versatile and multi-purpose glass containers for food preservation, decoration, and storage purposes. But they will benefit you only if you pick the right mason jar size for your storage, preservation, canning, and crafting needs. If you are the one who wants to store pourable liquids like salsas, choose the regular mouth mason jar. For whole fruits and thick food items storage, the wide opening will make the management easier for you. So you will need a wide mouth mason jar.
In this blog, we learned about the standard mason jar sizes for both regular and wide-mouth jars. We compared them in the mason jar comparison chart to discover which suits your needs best. But if you are still confused about the right canning jar size and style, and want mason jars for canning, preservation, and crafting, MyBoxPrinting is here! Our team of packaging consultants is available to provide you with both the custom-sized mason jars and mason jar storage boxes. Don’t hesitate to contact us for personalized guidance!
