3 Things to Know About Cooler Capacity Ratings

Manufacturer ratings are usually optimistic Cooler capacity is measured like a box, using straight lines. But coolers have rounded corners and thick insulation, so a “50-quart” cooler may only hold 42 quarts of actual cans.

Test capacity with water for precise numbers Line the cooler with a trash bag and fill it with water using a measured container. Count how many gallons or quarts you pour in until it reaches the normal load line.

Test with cans for practical results Fill the cooler with 12-oz cans, count them, divide by 12 for gallons, then multiply by 4 for quarts. This tells you exactly how many beers fit, which is what matters.