How Many Ounces are in a Standard 12 oz Soda Can? Nutrition Facts & Hydration

How Many Ounces are in a Standard Can of Soda?

Soda, also known as carbonated soft drinks, pop, or fizzy drinks, is enjoyed around the world. These sweetened, bubbly beverages come in cans, bottles, and fountain drinks. But how much soda is actually in a standard 12-ounce can? Let's take a closer look at soda can sizes and how many ounces they typically contain.

The Standard Soda Can Size

The most common soda can size in the United States is 12 fluid ounces. This standard soda can size has been around for decades. Traditional 12-ounce cans are approximately 4.83 inches tall and 2.13 inches in diameter. While not all cans are exactly the same dimensions, most mainstream soda brands stick to the typical 12-ounce size.

Some key facts about standard 12-ounce soda cans:

• Contains 12 fluid ounces of soda
• Holds about 1.5 servings of soda according to US dietary guidelines
• Provides around 150 calories and 40 grams of added sugar per serving
• Often sold in packs of 6, 12, or 24 cans
• Commonly made from aluminum but sometimes steel or plastic

So if you grab a regular 12-ounce can of soda from the fridge, you can expect it to contain 12 fluid ounces of your favorite carbonated beverage. That's about 1 can of Coke, Sprite, Root Beer, Orange Soda, and any other typical soda flavors.

Other Common Soda Can Sizes

While 12 ounces is the standard soda can size, some brands also offer cans in other volumes:

• 8 ounces - Typically called "slim cans," these are a bit smaller than the regular 12-ounce cans.
• 16 ounces - Also known as "pounder" cans, these contain a bit more than the typical 12-ounce version.
• 20 ounces - Similar to 16-ounce cans but contain about 1.5 times the amount of a 12-ounce can.
• 24 ounces - Also called "tall boys," these bigger cans pack even more soda into a single serving.

The calorie and sugar content of soda scales up or down depending on the can size. So a 16-ounce can has about 200 calories and over 50 grams of added sugar, while a smaller 8-ounce can has around 100 calories and 25 grams of sugar.

Do Soda Cans Always Contain Exactly 12 Ounces?

Interestingly enough, some 12-ounce soda cans may contain slightly less or more than 12 ounces of liquid. There are a few reasons for this:

• During the canning process, small variations in the amount of soda dispensed into each can may occur.
• Some locations have regulations allowing cans to contain up to 0.5 ounces over the stated amount to account for spillage or overflow.
• After canning, changes in temperature and pressure can cause the soda volume to change slightly.
• Rounding is allowed for stated can sizes, so a "12-ounce" can may hold 12.1 or 11.9 ounces.

However, these small variations aside, most standard 12-ounce cans do in fact hold close to 12 ounces of soda once filled, sealed, and transported for sale. When you crack open a cold can of cola on a hot day, you can depend on getting approximately 12 fluid ounces of refreshment.

Nutrition Facts for 12 Ounces of Soda

Now that we know 12-ounce cans represent a typical single-serving of soda, let's examine the nutrition facts for 12 fluid ounces:

Calories in 12 Ounces of Soda

There are around 150 calories in 12 ounces of non-diet soda. This estimate can vary slightly based on the exact type and brand of soda. For example:

• Coca Cola: 140 calories
• Pepsi: 150 calories
• Mountain Dew: 170 calories
• Dr Pepper: 150 calories
• Sprite: 140 calories

Diet sodas contain very few calories - usually none or less than 5 calories per 12-ounce can.

Sugar in 12 Ounces of Soda

A 12-ounce can of regular soda contains around 40 grams or 10 teaspoons of added sugar. Again, the exact amount varies by brand:

• Coca Cola: 39 grams
• Pepsi: 41 grams
• Mountain Dew: 46 grams
• Dr Pepper: 40 grams
• Sprite: 38 grams

Diet sodas do not contain any sugar in a 12-ounce serving.

Caffeine in 12 Ounces of Soda

Many regular sodas contain 30-35 milligrams of caffeine per 12 fluid ounces. By comparison, the same amount of cola-flavored soda like Coca Cola, Pepsi, or Mountain Dew contains 34-38 milligrams of caffeine.

So a 12-ounce cola soda gives you about the same amount of caffeine as a small cup of coffee.

Water Content in 12 Ounces of Soda

Given that water makes up the majority of soda's ingredients, how much water is actually in a 12-ounce can?

Most soda is around 90% water. Carbonated water is first added as the base liquid, then sweeteners, acids, preservatives, colors, and other ingredients are included.

This means that in a typical 12-ounce can of soda, about 10-11 ounces comes from water, while 1-2 ounces comes from added sugars and other additives.

So soda does contain water that can contribute to daily hydration needs. However, experts generally recommend limiting intake of sugary sodas due to their other nutrients and getting hydration from healthier sources.

Does Soda Hydrate You as Effectively as Water?

While soda does contain water, research shows it is not as effective as plain water for proper hydration:

• The high sugar content of soda leads to faster fluid excretion from the kidneys, causing dehydration.
• The caffeine in many sodas acts as a mild diuretic, increasing urine output.
• Carbonation causes some fluid loss from the stomach lining.
• Soda's acidic pH impacts mineral absorption compared to neutral water.

So while the water content in soda can contribute to fluid intake, nutrition experts recommend plain, still water as the healthiest way to meet daily hydration needs.

Alternatives to Standard 12-Ounce Soda Cans

If you want to control your serving sizes of soda or cut back on sugar intake, alternatives to 12-ounce cans include:

• Cans of seltzer water, sparkling water, or unsweetened iced tea
• Sugar-free soda cans
• Individual soda bottles like 7.5-ounce "mini" cans
• Fountain drinks that allow cups smaller than 12 ounces
• Diluting soda with seltzer water
• Infused fruit waters made without added sugars

Portion control is important when trying to consume less sugar. While 12-ounce cans are the soda industry standard, you can still enjoy carbonated drinks in moderation with smaller servings.

The Bottom Line

Most full-size soda cans contain 12 fluid ounces. This standard 12-ounce serving provides about 150 calories and 40 grams of added sugar. While soda cans do contain water, nutrition experts advise drinking primarily plain water daily for proper hydration compared to sugary sodas.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.