How to Adjust a 9x13 Recipe for an 8x8 Pan

We've all faced the dilemma: your recipe calls for a 9x13 pan, but you only have an 8x8 one—or vice versa. Luckily, switching between these common pan sizes is straightforward and you probably won’t even need to use a calculator.

Modifying a Recipe for a Different Pan Size

A 9x13 pan has an area of 117 square inches, while an 8x8 pan measures 64 square inches—about half the size. This means you can easily scale down a recipe by halving the ingredients for an 8x8 pan. Conversely, to make a recipe for a 9x13 pan from an 8x8, you simply double the ingredients. Since the depth of the pans is similar, you won’t need to adjust your oven temperature or cook time. However, keep an eye on visual cues like browning or cracking, as slight timing adjustments may still be necessary depending on your oven.

What to Do If Halving Ingredients Isn't Feasible?

Halving most ingredients is straightforward—like flour, where you can easily reduce 1 cup to ½ cup, or 2 ½ cups to 1 ¼ cups. But some ingredients, like a whole egg, can’t be halved as easily. Should you really try to split those? It depends on what you’re making.

For Casseroles

Luckily, a small difference in liquid—like an extra tablespoon—won’t significantly affect the final dish, so go ahead and use the whole egg.

For Baking Recipes

Eggs are essential in baked goods, providing moisture, leavening, and helping to bind the dough. When working with recipes like brownies or a sheet cake, it's crucial to be more precise when halving ingredients. To do this accurately, use a digital kitchen scale. A large grade AA egg weighs approximately 1.75 ounces without the shell. Here’s how to halve an egg for your baking recipes:

1. Crack the egg into a bowl and beat it with a fork or whisk until the yolk and white are fully combined.
2. Place an empty bowl on a kitchen scale and use the tare function to reset the scale to zero.
3. Add the beaten egg to the bowl little by little, until the weight reaches about 0.875 ounces.

For more baking pan sizes and conversions, check out our baking pan conversion chart.