A Quick Guide to Standard Ice Cream Cup Sizes in oz and ml

Choosing the right ice cream cup size is more than just a detail—it’s a crucial decision that can impact your serving efficiency, customer satisfaction, and even your bottom line. Whether you’re scooping sundaes, blending milkshakes, or layering parfaits, each cup size has a specific role. This guide will help you understand the most common ice cream cup sizes in ounces and milliliters and how to use them effectively in your business.

Standard Ice Cream Cup Size Chart

Size	Size (oz)	Size (ml)	Scoops	Typical Uses
Mini	3	89	1/2 scoop	Samples, Kids’ scoops, Affogato
Small	4	118	1 scoop	Single scoops, Classic Scoop, Soft Serve
Medium	6	177	1-1.5 scoops	Sundaes, Topped Scoops, Ice Cream Floats
Large	8	237	2 scoops	Double Scoop Cones, Large Sundaes, Parfaits
Extra Large	12	355	3+ scoops	Triple Scoop Sundaes, Milkshakes, Shareable Bowls

Popular Ice Cream Cup Sizes & Uses

1. Single Scoop and Double Scoop Cups

Recommended Cup Size: 4 oz (118 ml) to 6 oz (177 ml)

Best For: Serving single or double scoops of ice cream without the mess.

Practical Use: These cups are perfect for quick servings at ice cream parlors, food trucks, or cafés. They are easy to handle, reduce waste, and ensure consistent portion sizes. The 4 oz cup is ideal for a classic single scoop, while the 6 oz option offers extra room for double scoops or a touch of toppings, making it versatile for varied menu offerings.

2. Sundae Cups

Recommended Cup Size: 8 oz (237 ml) to 12 oz (355 ml)

Best For: Creating sundaes with room for scoops, syrups, whipped cream, and toppings.

Practical Use: These medium to large cups provide ample space for layering multiple scoops and generous toppings, making them ideal for sundaes. They allow you to create visually appealing and spill-free servings that enhance the overall customer experience in ice cream shops, dessert bars, and catered events.

3. Milkshake and Malt Cups

Recommended Cup Size: 12 oz (355 ml) to 16 oz (473 ml)

Best For: Serving milkshakes and malts blended with ice cream and flavorings.

Practical Use: These larger cups are perfect for thick milkshakes and malts. They offer enough volume for blending ice cream with milk and syrups, ensuring a creamy, well-mixed drink that’s easy to enjoy through a straw. The generous size prevents overflow and allows for add-ons like whipped cream, making them popular in ice cream parlors and cafés.

4. Ice Cream Float Cups

Recommended Cup Size: 12 oz (355 ml) to 16 oz (473 ml)

Best For: Serving ice cream with soda for classic floats.

Practical Use: Float cups need to be spacious to accommodate both ice cream and soda, allowing the fizzy mix to develop without spilling. These sizes are perfect for creating visually appealing and balanced floats that can be enjoyed easily. They are particularly useful in themed restaurants, diners, and outdoor events where presentation is key.

5. Parfait Cups

Recommended Cup Size: 8 oz (237 ml) to 12 oz (355 ml)

Best For: Layering ice cream, fruit, yogurt, and other mix-ins for parfaits.

Practical Use: Clear, medium-sized cups are excellent for showcasing the beautiful layers of parfaits. These cups strike the perfect balance between portion size and presentation, making them ideal for serving attractive, multi-layered desserts in cafés, hotel buffets, and catering setups.

6. Affogato Cups

Recommended Cup Size: 4 oz (118 ml)

Best For: Serving affogatos with a scoop of ice cream and a shot of espresso.

Practical Use: The smaller 4 oz cup size is perfect for affogatos, providing just enough space for the hot espresso to blend with the ice cream without overflowing. This size keeps the dessert refined and easy to serve, making it a great addition to coffee shops and upscale dining menus.

Ice Cream Cup: Paper, Plastic, or Compostable?

Simply put, if you serve ice cream with layers where presentation is key, plastic cups—especially those made of PET, which is renowned for clarity—are your go-to choice. They offer a mouth-watering look and are durable, perfect for floats, milkshakes, and parfaits. However, if you serve regular ice cream, opt for paper cups. They’re lightweight, easy to brand, and often come with a wax or PE coating to prevent leaks. Paper cups are a great choice for businesses aiming to maintain a sustainable image while offering a sturdy option for both dine-in and takeout.

For an even greener option, consider compostable ice cream cups. These are paper cups coated with plant-based materials like PLA (polylactic acid) instead of PE plastic. They break down in commercial composting facilities within 6 months, making them truly eco-friendly. These cups are ideal for any setting, especially businesses aiming to highlight their green initiatives.

Ice Cream Lids: Flat, Dome, or No Lid?

If you mainly serve in-store or dine-in, no lid is necessary. For to-go orders, you need lids to keep your ice cream intact during transport. Serving ice cream with toppings? Go with dome lids. They provide extra room to prevent your toppings from being squished. For the rest, flat lids will do. Ice cream drinks such as milkshakes and floats require a straw to enjoy. In these cases, choose straw slot lids. They fit securely with a hole in the middle for the straw.

Lid Type	Best For	Benefits	Suggested Use
Flat Lids	Basic servings, to-go orders	Simple, cost-effective, prevents spills	Single scoop or sundae cups for takeaway
Dome Lids	Sundaes, parfaits, tall servings	Extra space for toppings, keeps presentation intact during transport	Sundaes, parfaits, and anything with added toppings.
Straw Slot Lids	Milkshakes, floats, drinks	Slot for straws, minimizes spills, perfect for drink-oriented servings	Milkshakes, floats.
No Lid	Immediate servings, dine-in orders	Reduces waste, simplifies service	in-store tastings and fast-service environments

Custom Printed Ice Cream Cups:

Imagine this: a customer orders their favorite sundae at your shop, and as soon as they see it in a beautifully designed cup, they can’t resist snapping a photo. That picture ends up on Instagram, tagged with your shop’s location, and suddenly, their friends and followers are craving a taste too. This is the power of custom printed cups.

Such uniquely designed and printed cups make your ice cream memorable, and so does your brand on it. It’s also easy to order custom-printed ice cream cups. Professional cup manufacturers, like GMZ, can customize the cups with your own pattern, logo, and message. Simply submit your design file, communicate your preferred types, sizes, quantities, and other details—and you’re all set.

Final Thoughts: Match Your Cups to Your Creations

Choosing the right ice cream cup size goes beyond aesthetics—it’s about making each serving feel special and perfectly portioned. By aligning your cup sizes with the most popular ice cream offerings, you can enhance the customer experience, streamline your operations, and keep your servings looking top-notch.

Choose GMZ for high-quality custom ice cream cups

We’re a professional disposable cup manufacturer with nearly two decades of experience in the field. Our specialized, large-scale factory in China produces a wide range of paper cups, plastic cups, and lids that can be customized with your logo and artwork. We offer all sizes, styles, and materials to provide you with the perfect disposable ice cream cups for your needs. If you’re not design-savvy, don’t worry—our in-house design team is here to help. Simply share your ideas with us, and we’ll take care of the rest.