A regular water bottle typically contains 16-20 fluid ounces of water. The most common sizes for disposable plastic water bottles are 16.9 oz, 20 oz, and 24 oz. Reusable water bottles come in a variety of sizes from 12 oz up to 32 oz or larger.
Typical Water Bottle Sizes
Here are some of the most common water bottle sizes:
- 12 oz – A 12 ounce bottle is on the smaller side for a reusable water bottle. It’s a good size for kids or for short activities like a walk or trip to the gym.
- 16.9 oz – The 16.9 oz size is very popular for disposable plastic water bottles sold in convenience stores and vending machines. The odd 16.9 oz size contains exactly 500 ml of liquid.
- 20 oz – 20 ounces is another very common size for disposable plastic water bottles. The 20 oz size is a nice amount of water for an adult for casual drinking throughout the day.
- 24 oz – A 24 ounce bottle is a medium-large size good for long term use. 24 ounce bottles are common reusable sizes and provide 3 cups of water.
- 32 oz – A 32 ounce bottle is a large water bottle size good for all day hydration. Athletes often prefer the 32 oz size for sports.
Disposable 16.9 oz Water Bottles
The 16.9 fluid ounce water bottle size has become nearly synonymous with bottled water over the past couple of decades. The first commercially bottled water in the US was 12 ounces. But in 1993, PepsiCo introduced the Aquafina brand in a 16.9 ounce bottle, marketing it as a better value per ounce compared to smaller sizes.
The odd 16.9 oz size was chosen because it contains exactly 500 milliliters of water. With the adoption of the metric system, 500 ml was considered a good round number for a single-serve bottle. Because a liter of water weighs 1 kg, the 500 ml bottle weighed exactly 0.5 kg when empty. This made pricing and shipping simple by allowing exact calculations per container.
The 16.9 oz Aquafina bottle proved so popular that Coke soon followed suit with their Dasani brand. The size took off as the standard for bottled water and is now used nearly universally across brands from store brands to premium labels.
Why 16.9 Ounces is Popular
Here are some of the reasons why the 16.9 oz size works so well for bottled water:
- Convenient single serving – At about 17 ounces, it quenches thirst but isn’t an excessive amount of water for one person.
- Fits in car cup holders and backpack water bottle pockets – The bottle is just slim enough to easily fit in standard-sized holders and pockets.
- Good value per ounce – At around $1 per bottle, it provides more ounces per dollar compared to smaller 12 oz sizes.
- Feels substantial in the hand – A 16.9 oz bottle has a nice heft in the hand compared to smaller disposable sizes.
While the 16.9 oz bottle size certainly has its critics and opponents, it continues to dominate as the disposable water bottle of choice for many people.
20 Ounce Bottle Size
The 20 ounce water bottle is nearly as ubiquitous as the 16.9 ounce size. 20 fluid ounces translates to just over 1 1/4 cups of liquid. A 20 oz bottle is a convenient size for an adult to drink over the course of a few hours. It’s enough to quench thirst but not so much that you end up wasting water if you can’t finish the bottle.
Advantages of the 20 oz bottle size:
- Fits in most cup holders and water bottle cages
- Provides 25% more water than a 16.9 oz bottle
- Easy to finish over 2-3 hours of normal activity
- Often the same price as smaller sizes, giving you more water per dollar
You’ll find 20 oz bottled water everywhere from vending machines to convenience stores to bulk cases at big box stores. It’s become nearly as ubiquitous as the 16.9 oz size. If you need a bit more hydration than a 16.9 oz bottle provides, the 20 oz size is a convenient and affordable option.
Calories in a 20 Oz Bottle of Water
One thing that confuses some people is that nutrition labels on 20 ounce bottled water often list 20 calories per bottle. But water contains no calories, carbohydrates, sugars, or other nutrients on its own.
The reason bottled water is listed as 20 calories is because the FDA requires nutrition labels to state the calories for the entire contents of the package. For a 20 fl oz bottle, that works out to 20 calories of water.
But H20 in its pure form has no energy content. So you can enjoy 20 ounces of bottled water without worrying about any calories or other nutrition info.
Reusable 24 Ounce Water Bottles
Reusable water bottles come in an endless array of shapes, sizes, and materials. But one of the most popular reusable bottle sizes is 24 oz.
A 24 oz water bottle has some nice advantages:
- Holds 1.5 cups of water – Helpful markings let you see how much you’ve consumed
- Fits in backpacks and bags – Not so large that it’s difficult to carry around
- Provides hydration for hours of activity – Around 3 cups worth of water for hiking or sports
- Easy to refill 2-3 times per day – 24 oz is a bottle you can drain and refill conveniently
Popular 24 oz reusable bottles include:
- CamelBak Chute
- Contigo Autoseal Chill
- Nalgene Tritan
- ThermoFlask Double Walled Stainless Steel
- Hydro Flask Double Wall Vacuum Insulated
The 24 oz size is right in the sweet spot for many people looking for a reusable all-purpose water bottle to use at home, at work, and on the go. It provides ample hydration without being bulky.
Calculating Fluid Ounces
If you come across a water bottle size labeled in fluid ounces but want to calculate that into cups, use the following equivalents:
| Fluid Ounces | Cups |
|---|---|
| 12 fl oz | 1 1/2 cups |
| 16 fl oz (16.9 oz) | 2 cups |
| 20 fl oz | 2 1/2 cups |
| 24 fl oz | 3 cups |
| 32 fl oz | 4 cups |
As you can see, fluid ounce sizes correspond closely to cup measurements, making it easy to visualize the capacity of the bottle.
How Much Water Should You Drink?
Now that you know some typical water bottle sizes, how much water should you aim to drink each day in ounces?
General guidelines recommend that the average person drink:
- About 1/2 ounce per pound of body weight. So around 60-80 ounces per day for most adults.
- Only when thirsty if you’re not active. Add more if you exercise.
- More in hot climates or at high altitudes to replace fluid lost to sweat and breathing.
- Less if you eat foods high in water content like fruits and vegetables.
But in reality, optimal water intake varies widely based on your health, activity level, diet, climate and more. The easiest way to stay hydrated is to drink when you feel thirsty. Water bottle sizes around 16-24 ounces make it convenient to keep refilling as needed.
Picking the Right Water Bottle Size
While standard bottle sizes like 16.9 oz, 20 oz, and 24 oz are popular, you may find a different amount works better for your needs. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a water bottle size:
- Activity – Are you sipping casually at your desk? Or doing high-intensity exercise for hours at a time? Match the bottle to your drinking needs.
- Portability – Make sure the bottle fits where you need to carry it. Larger bottles can be tedious to haul around.
- Reusability – Single-use plastic bottles under 32 oz work for one fill. Reusable bottles should hold enough water to limit refills.
- Waste – Don’t carry more water than you’ll likely drink in a few hours to limit waste.
- Convenience – Pick a size that makes it easy for you to stay hydrated all day long.
Water Bottle Sizes Compared
| Size | Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 oz | Reusable | Very portable and lightweight | Too small for all-day use |
| 16.9 oz | Disposable | Standard single-serving amount | Not reusable; small capacity |
| 20 oz | Both | Convenient size; often cheap | Potential to waste some water |
| 24 oz | Reusable | Good capacity; easy to carry | Can be heavy when full |
| 32 oz | Reusable | Holds ample water for hours of activity | Bulky when full; difficult to carry |
Conclusion
When you see a water bottle labeled with fluid ounce size, you can use the general conversions:
- 16.9 oz = Slightly more than 2 cups
- 20 oz = 2 1/2 cups
- 24 oz = 3 cups
- 32 oz = 4 cups
Common portable sizes are 16-20 ounces for disposable bottles and 24-32 ounces for reusable bottles. Choose the amount that allows you to stay hydrated for your particular needs and routine.
Knowing typical water bottle sizes can help you shop for the right bottle and know how much water you should be drinking throughout the day. But the most important rule is to listen to your thirst. Let your body guide you to the right amount of water for you.
