How many ounces is a plastic water bottle?

Plastic water bottles come in a variety of sizes, typically ranging from 12 ounces to 1 liter (which is approximately 33.8 ounces). The most common sizes for disposable plastic water bottles are 16.9 ounces and 20 ounces. Reusable plastic water bottles also come in many sizes, with popular options including 24 ounces, 32 ounces, and 64 ounces.

Typical Plastic Water Bottle Sizes

Here is an overview of some of the most common plastic water bottle sizes and their ounces:

Bottle Size Ounces
12 oz 12
16.9 oz 16.9
20 oz 20
24 oz 24
32 oz 32
1 liter 33.8
64 oz 64

As you can see, plastic water bottle sizes can range from as small as 12 ounces to as large as 64 ounces for reusable bottles. The 16.9 ounce and 20 ounce sizes are very common for disposable bottled water.

16.9 Ounce Water Bottles

The 16.9 ounce water bottle size is one of the most popular sizes for disposable plastic water bottles. Many major bottled water brands, like Dasani, Aquafina, and Poland Spring, package their water in 16.9 ounce bottles.

One reason the 16.9 ounce size is so common is that it contains half a liter of liquid. With the metric system being widely used around the world, bottles sized at half a liter make labeling and distribution easier for global brands.

The 16.9 ounce size is popular with consumers because it provides a significant amount of water in a portable, single-serve bottle. These bottles are easy to carry in bags and reuse throughout the day.

Facts about 16.9 Ounce Water Bottles

  • Contains a half liter of liquid
  • Weighs approximately 14 grams when empty
  • Popular size for disposable bottled water brands
  • Offers portability and convenience for consumers

So when you pick up a typical 16.9 ounce water bottle, you can expect it to contain just under 17 ounces of water.

20 Ounce Water Bottles

The 20 ounce water bottle size is another very common choice for disposable plastic water bottles. Brands like Aquafina, Dasani, and Nestle Pure Life offer water in 20 ounce bottles as an alternative to smaller 16.9 ounce sizes.

For consumers, 20 ounce water bottles provide an extra 3 ounces of liquid compared to 16.9 ounce bottles. This offers more hydration, so these bottles are popular with people who are particularly active or thirsty.

The larger size also means fewer bottle refills. A 20 ounce bottle may be adequate for keeping someone hydrated over the course of a full day, while a smaller 16.9 ounce bottle may need refilled multiple times.

Facts about 20 Ounce Water Bottles

  • Contains 20 fluid ounces of liquid
  • Typically weighs around 18 grams when empty
  • Offered as an upgrade from 16.9 ounce sizes
  • Provides extra hydration for active lifestyles

Overall, the 20 ounce water bottle size holds exactly 20 ounces of fluid. It gives an extra boost of water compared to the popular 16.9 ounce size.

24 Ounce Reusable Water Bottles

For reusable plastic water bottles, 24 ounces is a very common size. Brands like CamelBak, Contigo, and Thermos offer many water bottle options at the 24 ounce capacity.

This size provides enough water for hours of hydration on the go. Twenty-four ounces is equal to 1.5 traditional 16.9 ounce water bottles. It’s a significant amount of liquid, but the bottles are still lightweight and portable.

The 24 ounce dimension fits well in car cup holders, backpack water bottle pockets, exercise equipment, and more. And the reusable design means refilling the bottle as needed rather than discarding disposable plastic.

Benefits of 24 Ounce Reusable Water Bottles

  • Holds 24 fluid ounces
  • Equal to 1.5 standard 16.9 ounce water bottles
  • Fits well in bags, cups holders, etc.
  • Reusable and environmentally friendly
  • Provides hours of hydration on the go

With the right bottle design, the 24 ounce size gives you an ideal balance of portability and hydration for a reusable water container.

32 Ounce Reusable Water Bottles

For even more hydration capacity in a reusable bottle, many people opt for 32 ounce sizes. Leading water bottle companies like Hydro Flask, Klean Kanteen, Nalgene, and Camelbak offer popular 32 ounce designs.

With 32 ounces of capacity, these water bottles typically provide enough water to keep someone hydrated for a full day. They minimize the need for frequent refilling compared to smaller 24 ounce reusable bottles.

The larger capacity does mean the 32 ounce water bottles are slightly heavier when full. But the designs still prioritize ergonomics and portability when empty. The size fits well in bags and cup holders for on-the-go use.

Benefits of 32 Ounce Reusable Water Bottles

  • Holds 32 fluid ounces
  • Provides all-day hydration
  • Minimizes need for refilling
  • Still lightweight when empty for transport
  • Fits in standard bags and cup holders

With approximately 1 liter of capacity, 32 ounce reusable plastic water bottles give you an exceptional balance of hydration, portability, and convenience.

1 Liter Water Bottles (33.8 Ounces)

Many disposable and reusable plastic water bottles are designed to hold precisely 1 liter of liquid. Since a liter equals 33.8 fluid ounces, 1 liter water bottles have just over 33 ounces of capacity.

For disposable water bottles, the 1 liter size is larger than the common 16.9 ounce and 20 ounce options. Brands like Nestle Pure Life offer disposable 1 liter bottles for extra hydration when on the go.

For reusable bottles, popular brands like Brita and Brita also have models that hold 1 full liter. This sizable capacity minimizes the need for refills whether you’re at home, work, the gym, or outdoors.

Facts About 1 Liter/33.8 Ounce Water Bottles

  • Contains precisely 1 liter or 33.8 ounces
  • Larger capacity than typical disposable bottles
  • Minimizes refills for reusable designs
  • Helps with extra hydration needs

With their full liter capacity, these water bottles offer ample hydration in portable containers. The 33.8 ounce measurement matches perfectly with a full liter for simplified labeling and distribution.

64 Ounce Reusable Water Bottles

On the larger end of reusable water bottles, you can find options with up to 64 ounces of capacity. Brands like Hydro Flask, Klean Kanteen, and Camelbak offer popular 64 ounce designs.

The oversized capacity means these bottles can provide complete hydration for demanding situations like full day hikes, intense sports, or outdoor jobs. You can minimize refills even when exerting yourself and sweating for hours.

Given their large capacity, these water bottles tend to be taller and wider than more portable options. But they are still designed with convenience in mind – just at the expense of some compactness.

Benefits of 64 Ounce Reusable Water Bottles

  • Contains 64 fluid ounces
  • Provides hydration for demanding situations
  • Wide opening for fast filling and drinking
  • Compatible with most water filters
  • Minimizes refills even with high water needs

Sixty-four ounce water bottles offer an outsized capacity perfect for keeping up with hardcore hydration requirements throughout active days.

How Many Ounces in Different Drink Containers

Plastic water bottles are not the only beverage containers sized by ounces. Here’s a look at how many ounces some other common drink vessels contain:

Drink Container Ounces
Small paper coffee cup 12
Medium paper coffee cup 16
Large paper coffee cup 20-24
Can of soda 12
Water glass 8-12
Wine glass 5-6
Pint glass 16
Nalgene 32 oz bottle 32
CamelBak Chute Mag 24

As you can see, fluid ounces are a common unit of measurement used for drinking containers of all types. Everything from cups to glasses to bottles is sized and labeled by ounces.

Factoring Bottle Weight Into Total Ounces

When calculating the total weight of a filled plastic water bottle in ounces, you need to account for both the liquid inside the bottle and the weight of the empty bottle itself.

Most single-use disposable water bottles weigh between 10-15 grams when empty. So a 16.9 ounce disposable bottle will weigh around:

  • 16.9 oz water
  • 0.35 oz empty bottle weight
  • Total = 17.25 ounces

Reusable water bottles weigh more than disposable bottles, generally ranging from 5-10 ounces when empty. So a 32 ounce reusable bottle may weigh:

  • 32 oz water
  • 5 oz empty bottle
  • Total = 37 ounces

The total weight is what someone would measure by putting a filled bottle on a scale. By factoring in the bottle weight, you get a more accurate idea of the total ounces being carried.

Fluid Ounces vs. Weight Ounces

It’s important to distinguish fluid ounces from ounces of weight. Fluid ounces measure the volume of liquid contained in bottles. Weight ounces measure the total mass on a scale.

For simplicity, most plastic water bottle sizes are labeled by fluid ounces rather than weighted ounces. So a “32 ounce” bottle contains 32 fluid ounces of water, not 32 ounces of total weight.

Since water weighs approximately 1 ounce per fluid ounce, the fluid volume and weight are similar. But when factoring in the weight of the empty bottle, the total weight in ounces is higher than just the fluid volume.

In short: fluid ounces measure volume, weight ounces measure mass. Water bottle sizes are referenced in fluid ounces for simplicity.

Plastic Water Bottle Sizes in Milliliters

In addition to ounces, plastic water bottle sizes are often labeled in milliliters (ml). Here are some common sizes in both ounces and milliliters:

Bottle Size Ounces Milliliters
12 oz 12 350 ml
16.9 oz 16.9 500 ml
20 oz 20 591 ml
24 oz 24 710 ml
32 oz 32 950 ml
1 liter 33.8 1000 ml

Since the metric system is widely used outside the United States, milliliter sizes are helpful for global labeling and distribution. But fluid ounces remain common for plastic water bottles sold in the US.

Picking the Right Water Bottle Size

When choosing a plastic water bottle, considering how many ounces it holds can help you select the optimal size:

  • Small 12-16 ounce bottles are highly portable.
  • 20 ounce bottles minimize refills.
  • 24-32 ounce bottles work well for reusable all-day hydration.
  • 64+ ounce bottles are ideal for demanding activities.

Think about when, where, and how you’ll use your water bottle. How much water do you tend to drink throughout the day? Select a bottle size in ounces that fits your hydration needs and lifestyle.

And remember to consider both fluid ounces for volume and total weighted ounces when filled. This helps give you a complete picture of just how many ounces you’ll be carrying with different water bottle options.

Conclusion

Plastic water bottles come in a wide range of sizes from 12 ounces up to 64 ounces or more. The most common sizes are 16.9 ounces and 20 ounces for disposable bottles, and 24-32 ounces for reusable bottles.

When selecting a plastic water bottle, think about your hydration needs and portability preferences. Standard bottle sizes in ounces like 16.9, 20, 24, and 32 give you some convenient options to choose from. Just be sure to consider total weight with water when deciding how many ounces you want to carry.

With popular bottle sizes available in both disposable and reusable designs, you can easily find the right water bottle in ounces for your hydration, lifestyle, and environmental needs.

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