Plastic cold cups are named by nominal size in oz or ml, but the rim diameter decides which lid fits, so cups and lids should be ordered by rim, not by volume. Most lids that fail to seat were bought against the size name. Below: the cold-cup size ladder, how to measure and match rim diameters, and when to use dome, flat or sealing-film closures. The page supports the custom printed plastic cups range. Paper cup sizing and nested hot-cup lids are covered separately in paper cup sizes.
What are the standard plastic cup sizes?
Cold plastic cups usually run from about 7 oz to 24 oz in US sizing, or from about 200 ml to 700 ml in metric ranges. The names are nominal: brim-full capacity is higher than the stated size, and the serving volume is lower once room for ice, foam, a dome lid or a carry is allowed.
| Nominal size | Approx. ml (oz x 29.57) | Typical cold-cup use |
|---|---|---|
| 7-8 oz | about 207-237 ml | Samples, kids, juice shots |
| 9 oz | about 266 ml | Water, small juice |
| 12 oz | about 355 ml | Small iced coffee, small smoothie |
| 16 oz | about 473 ml | Regular iced coffee, regular smoothie |
| 20 oz | about 591 ml | Large iced drink, milkshake |
| 22-24 oz | about 650-710 ml | Large iced coffee, bubble tea, smoothie |
Metric markets name sizes in decimal litres or ml: 0.2 l, 0.3 l, 0.4 l and 0.5 l are common German and Dutch sizes, so a "0.4 l" cup is typically close to a US 14 oz format, and ranges differ by manufacturer. For quick conversions, use the cup size converter.
Nominal, brim-full and fill-line volume
Three numbers describe a cup: the nominal size on the product name, the brim-full capacity if filled to the rim, and the fill-line volume actually served. Where drinks are sold by measured volume, local weights-and-measures rules may call for a fill line (a Füllstrich in German) on the cup, so ask for the brim-full figure and agree the fill-line position on the drawing. Do not infer a serving size from the oz name alone.
How do rim diameters determine lid fit?
The lid fits the cup rim, not the volume, so cups with the same rim diameter share a lid. Measure the outer diameter at the top of the rim (the lip), not the body. Matching rim and lid groove tolerances keeps the snap fit tight.
Common cold-cup rim sizes are listed below. They vary by maker, so treat them as typical ranges, not standards, and confirm against a drawing or sample.
| Rim diameter (typical) | Cups it usually serves | Typical lid |
|---|---|---|
| about 78 mm | 7-9 oz and small metric cups | 78 mm flat or dome lid |
| about 90-92 mm | 12-24 oz and 0.3-0.7 l cups in many ranges, including PP bubble tea cups | 90 or 92 mm flat or dome lid, or sealing film |
| about 95 mm | 12-24 oz and 0.3-0.5 l PET and PP cups in many European and bubble tea ranges | 95 mm flat or dome lid, or sealing film |
| about 98 mm | 12-24 oz PET and PP cold cups in many US ranges | 98 mm flat or dome lid |
Why this matters for range planning:
- One rim diameter across 12, 16 and 20 oz cups means one lid size, simpler stock and fewer wrong-lid errors
- Mixing 90 mm and 95 mm cups in one range doubles lid stock for a 5 mm difference that is hard to spot by eye
- A cup that is nominally "12 oz" in two catalogues can have different rims, so the size name is not enough to buy lids from another supplier
- For custom-printed cups, order the lid with the cup or supply a physical sample of the cup you need to match
Dome lid vs flat lid: which should you choose?
Choose a flat lid for iced coffee and soft drinks, where the drink fills the cup, and a dome lid when the drink needs headroom for whipped cream, foam, ice or toppings. The straw slot, not the lid shape, is often the deciding factor for smoothies and bubble tea.
| Lid type | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flat lid, straw slot | Iced coffee, soft drinks, juice | Lowest height, easy to stack cups in a carrier |
| Flat lid, no slot (cross slot or closed) | Takeaway, delivery | Pierceable or closed for transport |
| Dome lid, tight straw slot | Frappes, iced coffee with cream | Fits standard narrow straws |
| Dome lid, wide straw slot | Smoothies, boba, milkshakes | Fits wide smoothie or boba straws; wide slot spills more |
| Sealing film (heat-sealed) | Bubble tea on PP cups | Needs sealing machine and a sealable PP rim |
| Sip lid | Hot cups | Rarely used on cold plastic cups |
Straw slot width affects the straw you can use. A tight slot grips a standard straw; a wide slot accepts a boba or smoothie straw but gives less splash protection. If your range includes paper straws, confirm slot width against the straw diameter you stock.
Lid material and recycling
A PET lid on a PET cup keeps the pair in one recycling stream, while polystyrene or mixed-material lids complicate sorting. Lids are also regulated: the SUP Directive's consumption-reduction and producer-responsibility rules cover beverage cups including their covers and lids, the German single-use plastic fund levies lids in the cup category, and plastic lids are plastic packaging in the UK. The EU "MADE OF PLASTIC" marking applies to the cup, not the lid. See single-use plastic cup rules and PET vs PP cups.
Round-bottom and standard cups: does shape affect size?
Round-bottom cups use the same rim and lid system as standard cups, but the rounded lower wall changes stability and handling. Depending on the design, a round-bottom cup stands on a small flat foot or needs a holder, and it tips more easily than a flat-based cup, so check fit in carriers and cup holders. The two shapes also differ in print area: the same oz size has a different printable band on a curved base. See the hub section on round-bottom and standard cups.
Which other cup dimensions should you check?
Height, bottom diameter and taper decide whether the cup fits holders, dispensers and carriers, and how much print area you get.
| Dimension | What it affects |
|---|---|
| Height | Artwork area, fit under dispensers or blenders, carton and shelf size |
| Bottom diameter | Fit in car and bike cup holders and in carriers, stability |
| Taper | Printable band, nesting height, sleeve fit |
| Lid height | Dome headroom, stacking in carriers, overall delivery bag height |
For multi-cup deliveries check the cup carrier format as well: cup sleeves and carriers.
Checklist: specifying a plastic cup and lid pair
- Nominal size in oz or ml, plus brim-full and fill-line volume if drinks are measured
- Rim outer diameter and, if you hold lid stock, a sample of the lid
- Lid type: flat or dome, straw slot width, closed, or sealing film
- Cup shape: standard or round-bottom
- Number of sizes and whether lids can be consolidated to one rim diameter
- Print area per size: printing on plastic cups
Send the list through /contact/ or use the checklist on the plastic cups hub; dimensions are confirmed at quotation and technical review.