Industry average
12.99 g per empty canNorth American industry-average metallic weight.
Weight calculator
Aluminum Can Weight Calculator
Estimate the total weight of empty aluminum cans from the number of cans you have. Choose a sourced empty-can weight or enter your own measured average, then convert the result to grams, ounces, pounds and kilograms.
How Much Does an Empty Aluminum Can Weigh?
12 oz standard product specification
13.61 g per empty canSpecific product specification for a 12 fl oz can.
16 oz standard product specification
18.14 g per empty canSpecific product specification for a 16 fl oz can.
These are reference values, not universal weights. Actual empty cans can differ by manufacturer, design and production specification.
Capacity and empty weight are different: a “12 oz can” refers to beverage capacity. It does not mean the empty aluminum can itself weighs 12 ounces. A 16 oz label describes fluid capacity, not empty-can mass.
Your estimate
Enter a can count to estimate total weight.
How Much Do 100, 500 or 1,000 Aluminum Cans Weigh?
Estimates below use the currently selected empty-can weight.
| Number of cans | Estimated lb | Estimated kg |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2.86 | 1.30 |
| 500 | 14.32 | 6.50 |
| 1,000 | 28.64 | 12.99 |
| 2,000 | 57.28 | 25.98 |
Empty Aluminum Can Weight by Preset
| Can assumption | Capacity context | Grams | Ounces | Data type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry average | 13.6 fl oz | 12.99 g | 0.46 oz | Industry average |
| 12 oz standard | 12 fl oz | 13.61 g | 0.48 oz | Product specification |
| 16 oz standard | 16 fl oz | 18.14 g | 0.64 oz | Product specification |
Can capacity and empty-can weight are different measurements. A can labeled 12 fl oz or 16 fl oz describes how much beverage it holds. The aluminum container itself weighs only a fraction of that amount. Actual weights can vary by manufacturer, design, production year and can end.
How Aluminum Can Weight Is Calculated
Total weight is the number of cans multiplied by the average empty weight of one can.
can count × empty-can weight = estimated total weight
For example, 100 cans × 12.99 g = 1,299 g. The calculator then converts that gram result into pounds, kilograms and ounces.
How to Weigh Your Own Aluminum Cans
- Collect several cans of the type you want to estimate.
- Make sure they are empty and reasonably dry.
- Weigh the cans together.
- Divide the total weight by the number of cans.
- Enter that result as grams per can.
Using several cans usually gives a better average than weighing one lightweight can on a scale with limited precision.
Crushed vs. Uncrushed Aluminum Cans
Crushing changes the space a can occupies, not the amount of aluminum in the can. The same group of clean, empty cans should therefore have essentially the same total metal weight before and after crushing.
A recycling facility may still have its own preparation or acceptance rules.
Does a Larger Can Always Weigh More?
Larger-capacity cans often use more material, but capacity alone does not determine empty weight. Wall thickness, end design, can dimensions and manufacturer specifications also matter.
The same calculation works for soda cans, pop cans and other aluminum beverage cans: count the empty cans and multiply by the average empty weight.
Choose the Right Aluminum Can Calculator
This page covers count to total aluminum-can weight. For weight to estimated can count, use the aluminum cans per pound calculator. For count plus local price, use the aluminum can value calculator, and for local price per pound see the aluminum can price per pound calculator.
FAQ
How much does an empty aluminum can weigh?
It varies. The industry-average reference used here is 12.99 g, while the specific 12 oz and 16 oz product examples are 13.61 g and 18.14 g. Actual cans may differ.
How much does an empty 12 oz aluminum can weigh?
The sourced 12 oz product specification used on this page lists an empty weight of 13.61 g. It is a specific product example, not a universal weight for every 12 oz can.
How much does an empty 16 oz aluminum can weigh?
The sourced 16 oz product specification used here lists an empty weight of 18.14 g. Other 16 oz cans may differ.
How much do 100 aluminum cans weigh?
Using the industry-average 12.99 g assumption, 100 cans weigh about 1,299 g, or roughly 2.86 lb. Select another preset or enter a custom weight for a different estimate.
Does crushing aluminum cans make them weigh less?
Crushing changes volume, not the amount of aluminum. A clean can should have essentially the same metal mass before and after crushing.
How can I get a more accurate can-weight estimate?
Weigh several clean, dry empty cans together, divide by the number of cans and enter that average as a custom empty-can weight.
Sources & assumptions
Preset weights are reference values for estimation. The industry-average figure is aggregate data, while the 12 oz and 16 oz entries are specific product specifications.
Data reviewed September 17, 2026.
Life Cycle Assessment of North American Aluminum Cans · The Aluminum Association. Industry-average metallic weight and weighted average can size for North American aluminum beverage cans.
12 oz Standard BPANI Gen 2 Brite · Saxco. Specific product specification: 354.88 mL capacity and 13.61 g empty can weight.
16 oz Standard BPANI Gen 2 Brite · Saxco. Specific product specification: 473.18 mL capacity and 18.14 g empty can weight.