A standard size Hershey’s chocolate bar in the United States is approximately 4.25 inches long by 2.25 inches wide. The standard bar contains approximately 1.55 ounces of chocolate and has 8 individual rectangular “blocks” that can be broken apart.
Quick overview
Here is a quick overview of the key details about a standard size Hershey’s chocolate bar:
- Length: Approximately 4.25 inches
- Width: Approximately 2.25 inches
- Weight: Approximately 1.55 ounces
- Segments: 8 individual rectangular blocks
- Ingredients: milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, milk, lactose, soy lecithin, PGPR, vanilla)
Dimensions
Let’s take a closer look at the dimensions of a standard size Hershey’s chocolate bar. As mentioned above, the length of a standard Hershey’s bar is approximately 4.25 inches. The width is approximately 2.25 inches.
To visualize the size, a standard Hershey’s chocolate bar is slightly longer than an iPhone 6 which comes in at 4.7 inches tall. So if you place a standard Hershey’s bar next to an iPhone 6, the chocolate bar is a bit shorter in length.
The 2.25 inch width of a standard size Hershey’s bar is about the same as a standard credit card. So if you place the bar next to a credit card, they are essentially the same width.
Length and width details
Getting more detailed on the length and width of a standard size Hershey’s chocolate bar:
- Length: 4.24 inches to 4.28 inches
- Width: 2.23 inches to 2.27 inches
As you can see, the size ranges slightly but for the most part, you can expect a length between 4.24 and 4.28 inches and a width between 2.23 and 2.27 inches.
Weight
The overall weight of a standard Hershey’s chocolate bar is approximately 1.55 ounces.
To give you a sense of what 1.55 ounces feels like, a baseball is roughly 5 ounces. So a Hershey’s bar weighs just a bit over 3 baseballs.
Some other common everyday items that weigh about 1.55 ounces include:
- Two AA batteries
- A shot glass
- Five quarters
Weight details
Getting more specific on the overall weight:
- Minimum weight: 1.5 ounces
- Maximum weight: 1.6 ounces
So while the target weight is 1.55 ounces, you may see some slight variation ranging from 1.5 to 1.6 ounces per bar.
Segments
A standard Hershey’s chocolate bar contains 8 individual rectangular segments or blocks. Each segment can be broken apart for smaller bite-sized pieces of chocolate.
Having 8 segments gives you the flexibility to break off as much or as little chocolate as you want to consume in one sitting. Many people will break off one or two blocks at a time when eating a Hershey’s chocolate bar.
Segment details
Looking closer at the segments, we can see:
- Each segment has a height of 0.5 inches.
- Each segment has a width of 2.25 inches (same as full bar width).
- Each segment weighs approximately 0.2 ounces.
Knowing the size of each segmented block, we can better understand the size and shape of a standard Hershey’s chocolate bar.
Ingredients
A standard Hershey’s milk chocolate bar contains just a handful of ingredients:
- Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate, milk, lactose, soy lecithin, PGPR, vanilla)
Let’s break down what each of these ingredients is and why it is used:
Sugar
Sugar adds sweetness to balance out the bitterness from the cocoa beans.
Cocoa butter
Cocoa butter is the natural fat extracted from cocoa beans. It gives the chocolate a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Chocolate
Chocolate refers to the ground up solids from cocoa beans. This provides the signature chocolate flavor.
Milk
Milk mellows out some of the harsher notes from the cocoa and provides a creamy texture.
Lactose
Lactose is a milk-based sugar that contributes sweetness.
Soy lecithin
Soy lecithin is an emulsifier that helps blend all the ingredients together smoothly.
PGPR
PGPR (polyglycerol polyricinoleate) is another emulsifier used to give the chocolate a smooth, fluid texture.
Vanilla
Vanilla extract adds a subtle vanilla flavor note.
History of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate
To better understand the background of the standard Hershey’s chocolate bar today, it helps to look back at the history of Hershey’s milk chocolate.
The story begins with Milton S. Hershey, founder of the Hershey company. In the early 1900s, Milton was inspired by the growing popularity of milk chocolate, which was invented by Swiss confectioner Daniel Peter in the 1870s.
At the time, most chocolate in the US was dark chocolate, which had a bitter taste. Milk chocolate was smoother and sweeter. Milton wanted to create his own uniquely American version.
Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Formula
In 1907, Milton and his employees developed the proprietary formula for Hershey’s Milk Chocolate. The ingredients and process for making this chocolate were patented by the Hershey company.
Key aspects of the Hershey’s milk chocolate formula included:
- Using fresh milk delivered daily from nearby dairy farms
- The right combination of milk and cocoa butter for a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture
- Adding just the right amount of sugar for sweetness
This resulted in a sweeter, creamier milk chocolate with a unique flavor profile.
Initial Launch
Hershey’s Milk Chocolate was launched in 1900 as a bar for eating, which was an American novelty at the time. Previously, most chocolate was sold in bulk as a liquid.
The 1.55 ounce bar was an ideal individually portioned amount. It was sold for 5 cents so it was affordable for Americans across many income levels.
Early 20th Century
In the early decades of the 1900s, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate saw enormous success. By 1910, the Hershey Company was mass producing and selling millions of these chocolate bars across the country.
A few factors led to Hershey’s meteoric rise:
- Advanced mass production enabled high volume at low costs
- National advertising campaigns drove brand awareness
- Good distribution got Hershey’s chocolate on shelves across America
Within just a couple decades, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate had become one of the most popular and recognizable brands. The standard bar size of 4.25″ x 2.25″ became iconic.
Evolution of the Standard Hershey’s Bar
While the core shape and size of a standard Hershey’s bar has remained largely consistent, there have been some changes over the decades:
1939 – Addition of Vitamin D
In 1939, Hershey’s added vitamin D supplementation to their chocolate to make it more nutritious.
1980s – Improved Formula
In the 1980s, Hershey’s made improvements to their standard milk chocolate formula for an enhanced flavor and smoother texture.
1990s – Certified Kosher
In the 1990s, production changes allowed Hershey’s standard bars to be certified kosher.
21st century – Higher Cacao
In more recent years, Hershey’s adjusted their formula to include more cacao and less milk and sugar.
This was done to align with modern tastes preferring darker, more intense chocolate flavors. However, the basic dimensions stayed consistent.
Standard Hershey’s Bar Alternatives
Beyond the original standard Hershey’s milk chocolate bar, there are some other offerings to consider:
King Size
A King Size Hershey’s bar weighs 2.64 ounces, about a pound heavier than the standard size. It is thicker (1 inch vs 0.5 inches) and contains 12 blocks instead of 8.
Snack Size
Snack size Hershey’s bars are smaller portions weighing just 0.49 ounces with 2 segmented blocks.
Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme
Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme bars have the same dimensions as a standard Hershey’s bar but with white creme and crunchy cookie bits inside.
Hershey’s Special Dark
Special Dark Hershey bars have a darker chocolate with higher cacao content and more intense flavor.
Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almonds
This popular variant includes roasted almond pieces inside the traditional milk chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Hershey’s chocolate so popular?
A few key reasons Hershey’s became so popular include:
- Being first to market with milk chocolate
- Their proprietary formula with iconic taste
- Mass production to meet high demand
- Nationwide distribution and promotion
What makes Hershey’s chocolate unique?
Hershey’s has a distinctive flavor resulting from their special blend of cocoa beans, milk, sugar and other ingredients. Their smooth, creamy melted texture is also unique.
Why is Hershey’s chocolate so affordable?
Hershey’s hasmastered efficient mass production which allows them to offer competitively low prices on their chocolate bars to make them affordable for all Americans.
Is a 1.55 ounce bar a good amount of chocolate?
The 1.55 ounce standard size is popular as it gives you enough chocolate to satisfy a craving but is still easily consumable in one sitting. The segmented blocks make it easy to portion out.
Where are Hershey’s chocolate bars manufactured?
The majority of standard size Hershey’s chocolate bars are manufactured at Hershey’s original facilities in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Some production also occurs at newer facilities in Mexico and Malaysia.
Conclusion
So in summary, a standard Hershey’s milk chocolate bar contains 1.55 ounces of Hershey’s classic milk chocolate in a 4.25″ x 2.25″ segmented block. This size has been their standard since first introducing milk chocolate bars to America over a century ago.
A few details to remember:
- 8 rectangular segments can be broken apart
- Ingredients include cocoa, milk, sugar and emulsifiers
- Proprietary formula creates distinctive melted texture and flavor
- Affordable price made it available to all Americans
The standard Hershey’s bar dimensions, appearance and taste brings nostalgia to so many who grew up with this iconic American chocolate treat. Over 100 years later, it remains a coveted classic.
