How to Choose the Right Hotel Pan and Sheet Pan Size
- Oct 14, 2026
Pans are some of the most-used items in any commercial kitchen, but the sizes can be confusing. A "half pan" means something different on a sheet pan rack than it does in a steam table. Order the wrong size and it won't fit your oven, rack, or prep table.
This guide walks you through how to choose the right pan, step by step, with size charts for both sheet pans and hotel pans. All dimensions are approximate and can vary slightly by brand, so always check the product specs before you order.
Step 1: Know the Difference Between Sheet Pans and Hotel Pans
Commercial kitchens use two main pan systems, and their sizes don't match:
- Sheet pans (also called bun pans or baking sheets) are flat and shallow, usually about 1 inch deep. They're used for baking, roasting, and holding food on racks.
- Hotel pans (also called steam table pans or food pans) are deeper and are made to drop into steam tables, prep tables, and food wells.
If you're baking or roasting, start with sheet pans. If you're holding, serving, or storing food, you need hotel pans.
Sheet Pan Size Chart
| Size | Approx. Dimensions | Common Uses |
| Full sheet pan | 18 x 26 in | High-volume baking, roasting, full-size rack ovens |
| Two-thirds sheet pan | 15 x 21 in | Smaller ovens that won't fit a full sheet |
| Half sheet pan | 13 x 18 in | Cookies, sheet pan dinners, roasting vegetables |
| Quarter sheet pan | 9 x 13 in | Small batches, prep, toasting nuts or spices |
| Eighth sheet pan | 6.5 x 9.5 in | Mise en place, small portions, toaster ovens |
A full sheet pan is too big for most home ovens, so the half sheet is the most popular size overall. In a commercial kitchen, two half sheets fit side by side in the same space as one full sheet, which makes them easy to use on standard sheet pan racks.
Step 2: Pick the Right Hotel Pan Size
Hotel pans are sized as fractions of a full-size pan, which is about 12 x 20 inches. Every fractional size is designed to fit together in the same full-size opening. For example, two half pans or three third pans fill one full-size well.
Mixing sizes is common. A sandwich prep table might hold a row of sixth pans for meats and ninth pans for toppings. A buffet line might use a two-thirds pan for an entree next to a third pan for a side. If you need to fit different sizes together, adapter bars help hold them in place.
Hotel Pan Size Chart
| Size | Approx. Dimensions | Pans per Full-Size Opening | Common Uses |
| Full size | 12 x 20 in | 1 | Entrees, catering, large-batch holding |
| Two-thirds size | 12 x 13.5 in | 1 (plus a 1/3 pan) | Mains paired with a side |
| Half size | 12 x 10 in | 2 | Sides, smaller entrees, buffet lines |
| Half long | 6 x 20 in | 2 | Narrow wells, long items like sausages |
| Third size | 12 x 7 in | 3 | Sides, sauces, salad bar items |
| Fourth size | 6 x 10 in | 4 | Toppings, condiments, smaller sides |
| Sixth size | 6 x 7 in | 6 | Sandwich and pizza prep toppings |
| Ninth size | 4 x 7 in | 9 | Garnishes, sauces, small-portion toppings |
Step 3: Choose the Right Depth
Hotel pans come in several depths. Deeper pans hold more but take longer to heat through, so match the depth to the food:
| Depth | Best For |
| 2.5 in | Baked items, lasagna, sheet cakes, foods that need even heat |
| 4 in | The most common depth: sides, pasta, vegetables, general holding |
| 6 in | Soups, chili, mashed potatoes, sauces, larger batches |
| 8 in | Bulk storage, high-volume catering, stocks |
Keep in mind that deeper pans also sit lower in a steam table, so check how much room your equipment has before ordering 6 or 8 inch pans.
Step 4: Pick the Right Material
- Stainless steel: The standard choice for hot holding, baking, and steam tables. Heavier gauge (a lower number) is thicker and holds up better to daily use and dents.
- Aluminum: The most common material for sheet pans. It heats quickly and evenly, which is ideal for baking.
- Polycarbonate: Clear plastic pans for cold storage and food prep. They let you see what's inside, but they aren't made for high heat.
- High-heat plastic: Can go from the freezer to a steam table or oven up to a set temperature limit. Check the rating before using them in an oven.
- Perforated pans: Have holes for draining, steaming, or thawing. Usually used with a solid pan underneath.
Step 5: Match Pans to Your Equipment
Before you order, check what your equipment is built to hold:
- Steam tables and food wells usually fit full-size hotel pans or any fractional combination.
- Sandwich and pizza prep tables often take sixth and ninth pans, though some models fit thirds.
- Sheet pan racks are sized for full or half sheet pans.
- Convection and rack ovens list the pan size they hold in the specs. Many full-size ovens fit full sheet pans, while half-size ovens fit half sheets.
- Refrigerators with pan slides may hold hotel pans, sheet pans, or both, depending on the model.
Don't forget lids. Solid lids help hold heat and protect food, while notched or slotted lids leave room for a spoon or ladle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a half sheet pan? A half sheet pan is about 13 x 18 inches and about 1 inch deep. It's the most popular sheet pan size and fits most standard ovens.
What size is a quarter sheet pan? A quarter sheet pan is about 9 x 13 inches, a quarter of a full sheet pan.
What are the dimensions of a full-size hotel pan? A full-size hotel pan is about 12 x 20 inches. Depths usually range from 2.5 to 8 inches.
Is a half sheet pan the same as a half hotel pan? No. A half sheet pan is about 13 x 18 inches and shallow, while a half hotel pan is about 12 x 10 inches and deeper. They're not interchangeable.
Will a hotel pan fit in a home oven? Most half and third size hotel pans will. A full-size hotel pan may fit some larger home ovens, but measure first.
Find the Right Pans for Your Kitchen
We carry sheet pans, hotel pans, lids, and pan accessories in every common size and material. Not sure what fits your equipment? Contact our team and we'll help you find the right pans.
