Cooler Size Calculator
Enter how many people, how many days and how many cans or bottles each person drinks a day. The calculator works out the space for food and drinks, adds the right amount of ice and suggests a cooler size.
- Cooler size
- Ice to pack
- Litres
Count each can or small bottle as about 0.4 quarts of space.
A cooler needs room for ice as well as food. For trips over a day, pack about two parts ice to one part food and drink. Four people for two days, drinking four cans a day each, need about 25 quarts of contents and 50 of ice, so a 75 quart cooler.
Cooler size chart
Four drinks each a day. Search for a trip.
| People | Days | Cooler (qt) | Ice (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
| 2 | 1 | 12 | 7 |
| 2 | 2 | 37 | 27 |
| 4 | 1 | 25 | 14 |
| 4 | 2 | 74 | 55 |
| 4 | 3 | 112 | 82 |
| 6 | 2 | 112 | 82 |
| 6 | 4 | 223 | 164 |
Quarts, including ice.
Days and cooler
Four people, four drinks a day. Slide the trip length.
The cooler shows how much is ice.
How to size a cooler
Trip to quarts. Step through it.
People
How many.
Block ice lasts longer than cubes. Use both, block at the bottom and cubes round the food.
Day, weekend or week
Trip lengths. Compare them.
Short.
Two days.
Long.
Rotomolded coolers keep ice for days, so they need less ice for long trips.
Before you go
Cooler checks. Tick each item.
Tick each item as you go.
Chill drinks before packing, as warm drinks melt ice fast.
What you get
Cooler sizing. Each tile explains one result.
Quarts.
Pounds.
Ice to food.
Space.
Converted.
Opening the lid less often keeps ice far longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
No question matches that search.
What size cooler do I need?
Add the space for food and drinks, then add about twice that again in ice for trips over a day.
How much ice should I put in a cooler?
About two parts ice to one part food and drink for longer trips.
What size cooler for a weekend camping trip?
For four people, about sixty-five to seventy-five quarts.
How many cans fit in a quart?
About two and a half cans per quart of space.
How do I convert quarts to litres?
Multiply by zero point nine four six.
Should I use two coolers?
Yes. One for drinks and one for food keeps the food cold longer.
Does block ice last longer?
Yes. It melts much slower than cubes.
Cold to the last day
Size the cooler with room for plenty of ice, and food and drinks stay cold right to the end of the trip.
More size calculators
Each one has its own calculator, worked examples and answers to common questions.