Water bottles come in many different sizes and shapes. Knowing the typical dimensions of popular water bottle types can help you select the right bottle for your needs. In this article, we’ll break down the standard lengths and capacities of common water bottle varieties.
Reusable Water Bottles
Reusable water bottles for everyday carry are available in sizes ranging from 12 ounces to 64 ounces. The most popular reusable bottle sizes include:
Standard Reusable Bottles (16-32 oz)
- 16 oz – 4.5 inches tall, 2.5 inch diameter
- 20 oz – 7.5 inches tall, 2.75 inch diameter
- 24 oz – 8.7 inches tall, 3 inch diameter
- 32 oz – 10 inches tall, 3.25 inch diameter
The 16 oz size is convenient for throwing in your bag. 20 and 24 oz sizes are better for all-day hydration. 32 oz bottles are ideal for outdoor activities or sharing.
Large Reusable Bottles (40-64 oz)
- 40 oz – 10.5 inches tall, 3.5-inch diameter
- 64 oz – 13 inches tall, 4-inch diameter
Oversized 40-64 oz bottles are great for hikers, athletes, and anyone who needs to carry a lot of water at once. The tall, narrow shape fits in most bags.
Insulated Reusable Bottles
Insulated bottles maintain temperature longer but are slightly shorter than uninsulated bottles of the same capacity. Popular insulated sizes include:
- 12 oz insulated – 7 inches tall, 2.5 inches wide
- 18 oz insulated – 8.5 inches tall, 2.75 inches wide
- 24 oz insulated – 9.5 inches tall, 3 inches wide
- 32 oz insulated – 11 inches tall, 3.25 inches wide
Disposable Plastic Water Bottles
Disposable plastic water bottles for one-time use come in three standard sizes:
- 12 oz – 4.5 inches tall, 2.25 inch diameter
- 16.9 oz – 6.75 inches tall, 2.5 inch diameter
- 24 oz – 8.3 inches tall, 2.75 inch diameter
The 12 and 16.9 oz sizes are found in convenience stores and vending machines. The 24 oz size is common for retail multipacks.
Alternate Shape Bottles
While most bottles have a traditional straight cylindrical shape, some have uniquely shaped silhouettes:
- Contigo Autoseal – 9.25 inches tall, 2.5 inches wide (24 oz)
- Nalgene Wide Mouth – 8.5 inches tall, 3.5 inches wide (32 oz)
- CamelBak Chute – 9 inches tall, 2.75 inches wide (25 oz)
- Hydro Flask – 10.5 inches tall, 3.25 inches wide (32 oz)
- S’well Bottle – 8.7 inches tall, 2.75 inches wide (17 oz)
These bottles may be shorter or wider than straight-walled bottles of the same volume. Their tapered, angled, or curved shapes allow them to fit in cupholders or bags.
Collapsible Folding Bottles
Collapsible silicone bottles flatten down when empty for easy packing:
- 6 oz collapsed – 5 inches tall, 2 inches wide
- 12 oz collapsed – 5.5 inches tall, 2.25 inches wide
- 20 oz collapsed – 9 inches tall, 2.5 inches wide
When full, dimensions increase 1-2 inches in all directions. Folding bottles are great for travelers and hikers when space is limited.
Kids Water Bottles
Children’s water bottles come in smaller sizes designed for little hands:
- 6 oz kid’s bottle – 5.5 inches tall, 2.25 inches wide
- 10 oz kid’s bottle – 6.5 inches tall, 2.5 inches wide
- 14 oz kid’s bottle – 7.5 inches tall, 2.75 inches wide
Character bottles, straw lids, and leakproof caps make these bottles fun and practical for school lunches and backpack use.
Read Also:- Best Slim Water Bottles
Water Bottle Dimensions by Volume Comparison
To summarize, here is an at-a-glance view of typical water bottle sizes by capacity:
- 6-12 oz – 5-6 inches tall, 2-2.5 inches wide
- 16-20 oz – 7.5-8 inches tall, 2.5-3 inches wide
- 24-32 oz – 8.5-11 inches tall, 2.5-3.25 inches wide
- 40-64 oz – 10.5-13 inches tall, 3.5-4 inches wide
As a general rule, larger-capacity bottles are taller and wider than smaller bottles. But factors like material, insulation, shape, and collapsibility affect dimensions as well.
How to Choose the Right Size Water Bottle
With so many water bottle sizes and styles available, how do you select the best one for your needs? Here are some tips:
- Consider your daily water intake needs – Choose a bottle big enough to hold the amount you want to drink throughout the day. Standard reusable sizes around 24 oz are good for most people.
- Pick a size that fits your bags and cupholders – Avoid bulky bottles if you need to tote it around. Test that it fits in your purse, car, or bike before buying.
- Get a wide mouth design for adding ice – If you want to add ice cubes or squeeze in fruit, wide mouth bottles are much easier to use.
- Look for a narrow diameter if using a backpack – Thinner bottles around 2.5-3 inches wide won’t bump against your back as much.
- Get a big capacity for outdoor activities – Hiking, camping, and sports call for large bottles of 40 oz or more to hold plenty of hydration.
- Choose smaller sizes for kids’ hands and bags – Kid-friendly bottles of 10-14 oz are the perfect size for little ones.
Considering your personal habits and needs when choosing a water bottle size will ensure you get one suited for the way you drink. With standard dimensions in mind for each type and capacity, you can easily shop for a bottle that meets your hydration requirements.
FAQs
- What is the standard disposable water bottle size?
The most common disposable plastic water bottle size is 16.9 oz. This is the typical small single serve bottle you’ll find in convenience stores or vending machines.
- What is the largest reusable water bottle size?
The largest typical reusable water bottle size is 64 oz, which holds half a gallon. Large capacity bottles over 40 oz are useful for outdoor activities where you need to carry a lot of water at once.
- What are the smallest water bottle sizes?
The smallest reusable water bottles are around 6-12 oz. These mini sizes are great for kids or very light usage. Disposable bottles can be found in 12 oz capacity as well.
- Do insulated water bottles come in different sizes?
Yes, insulated bottles are available in sizes ranging from 12 oz up to 64 oz. The dimensions will be slightly different from uninsulated bottles of the same capacity.
- What size water bottle is allowed on airplanes?
The TSA liquid rule limits you to bringing empty bottles up to 3.4 oz capacity through security. You can then fill them up once inside the airport/plane. Standard-sized reusable bottles (16-32oz) must be empty when going through screening.
Learn More