Compare any two skillets from different brands—be they antiques, modern pans, or from boutique cast iron makers—and you’re sure to notice a few differences. Shape, color, seasoned or unseasoned, the list goes on and on. But one of the most difficult details to work out among the brands is the actual size of the pans they produce. Some skillets feature numbers on the handles or the back, some have no markings at all, and others even differentiate their skillets with letters rather than numerals. But these identifiers don’t always mean what you might expect.
When it comes down to it, all these pans have the same purpose: To help you cook a delicious meal. But how do you know which pan to use with which recipe? Is a number 10 Griswold the same as a Lodge Manufacturing 10-inch skillet? How do you know if your pan is the appropriate depth for that skillet cookie? All the recipes in our magazine are tested with and call for specific pan sizes because the right size cooking vessel makes all the difference in the success or failure of a dish. That’s why we’ve created this skillet sizing guide—so no matter which company made your pan or what words, letters, or numbers are imprinted in its finish, you’ll be ready to try new cast iron recipes with confidence.
No. 6 Cast Iron Skillet, 8 ⅜ inches
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Specifications
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No. 4
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No. 6
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Top Diameter
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6 ¾”
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8 ⅜”
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Cooking Surface
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5 ¾”
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7″
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Wall Height
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1 ⅜”
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1 ⅝”
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Total Length
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11 ⅝”
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14″
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VINTAGE CAST IRON: IT’S (NOT) ALL IN THE NUMBERS
It’s often thought that the large number stamped on a cast-iron pan (often marked on the handle or underside) signifies its size. And although this assumption holds true for a few new cast iron producers, vintage cast iron abides by a different set of rules—or really, no rules at all.
Grab a ruler, and you may discover your trusty No. 10 Griswold skillet actually measures up to around 11½ inches or that your Wagner No. 8 is actually 10 inches in diameter.
For vintage makers, these inscriptions weren’t meant to signify size. They denote a specific pattern. Though some companies published conversion charts to help cooks, these guides weren’t standard across brands.
Some makers further complicated the situation by intentionally producing cast-iron pans slightly larger than their competitors’ standard sizes so they could advertise their products as bigger and better. When it comes to deciphering vintage cast iron, well-studied collectors and aficionados may be able to use the inscriptions to crack the code on your pan’s history. But for the average cook who just needs to know size, breaking out a ruler is your best bet.
FINEX-CELLENT: THE MODERN HEIRLOOM
Precision is a key word when describing FINEX cast iron. And the 12 hands that craft each skillet before it leaves the foundry can attest to the unwavering dedication to detail. Known for its high-quality and modern design, FINEX cookware is hard to miss.
These octagonal skillets are cast thicker to optimize heat distribution, while the coiled handles stay cooler to avoid burned hands. But how does its unusual shape match up to the competition size-wise? Pretty perfectly. These top-notch skillets come in standard 8-, 10-, and 12-inch sizes, which means there should be no conversions necessary. They’re easy to measure from one flat side to the opposite flat side, but FINEX avoids the guessing game by adding the size to the branding on the underside of the pan. Give your ruler a rest and pick up a FINEX skillet for everything from roasting to searing and even baking.
Cast Iron Skillet Sizes Explained
FAQ
What is the volume of 6 inch skillet?
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Approximate Pan Dimensions (Inches)
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Approximate Volume (Cups)
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Approximate Pan Dimensions (cm)
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6 x 2 inches
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4 cups
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15 x 5 cm
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8 x 1 1/2 inches
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4 cups
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20 x 4 cm
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8 x 2 inches
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6 cups
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20 x 5 cm
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9 x 1 1/2 inches
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6 cups
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23 x 4 cm
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How big is a Griswold #6?
What size is a number 7 skillet?
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No.
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Top Diameter in inches
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Depth in inches
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6
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9 1/8
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1 7/8
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7
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9 7/8
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2
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8
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10 5/8
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2
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9
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11 3/8
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2
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What are the numbers on a skillet?
How big is a cast iron skillet?
In those cases, the diameter from rim to rim is usually 1 to 2 inches larger than the flat cooking surface. For example, the diameter of the Calphalon 12-inch cast iron skillet is exactly 12 inches from rim to rim, but the flat cooking surface is 10 inches. Cast iron skillets range in size from 3.5 to 17 inches.
What does the number on a cast iron skillet mean?
If you have an old cast iron skillet, you must have wondered what the number means? The number stands for the diameter of the pan in inches across the pan’s flared top. But the cast-iron skillet numbering has a history behind it. How do I know if my cast iron is valuable?
What size Skillet do I Need?
Our two most popular skillet sizes are the 10.25 inch and 12 inch and fit nicely on standard ranges. If you’re ready to feed a crowd, you’ll want a larger skillet. Just make sure your stovetop burner is appropriately sized for your cookware. You’ll want to make sure your stovetop will accommodate the newest member of your cast iron family.
What does 12 inches mean on a cast iron skillet?
The 12 inches is an edge-to-edge diameter of the pan. Now, the thumb rule is more significant; the size marked on the skillet larger than the cooking pan’s size. From one manufacturer to another, the marking might vary. Interestingly, from time to time, the cast-iron skillet’s marking annotation changed as well.