A sheet cake is the sensible cake for a crowd: one layer, baked in a big rectangle, frosted in the pan and cut into squares. The pan is what makes it possible, and it is not the same thing as an ordinary baking sheet. A cookie sheet has a low rim. A sheet cake pan has walls about two inches high to hold the batter as it rises.
Size is the real decision. “Half sheet” and “9×13” are both called sheet cake pans, but one holds a good deal more batter than the other. This guide covers eight pans from small to extra large and shows how to scale a recipe so it actually fits.
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Quick verdict: which sheet cake pan to buy
For a true party-size cake, buy the Nordic Ware Naturals High-Sided Sheet Pan: uncoated aluminum, a reinforced steel rim, two-inch walls and a half-sheet footprint, made in the USA. The Wilton 11 x 15-Inch Aluminum Pan is the easier size for a home oven and small crowds. For easy release without parchment and without a PTFE coating, choose the Chicago Metallic Everyday Nonstick 9×13 Pan.
Five sheet cake pans at a glance
Five picks side by side, with the sizes each listing states. All eight pans are reviewed in full below.
| Pan | Best for | Inside size | Surface | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nordic Ware Naturals High-Sided Sheet PanBest overall
|
Party-size cakes | 16.5 x 11.38 x 2 in | Uncoated aluminum | View on Amazon |
Wilton 11 x 15-Inch Aluminum Sheet Cake PanBest mid-size
|
Most home parties | 11 x 15 x 2 in | Anodized aluminum | View on Amazon |
Chicago Metallic Everyday Nonstick 9×13 PanBest PTFE-free nonstick
|
Easy release, less fuss | 9 x 13 x 2 in | Silicone-based nonstick | View on Amazon |
Fat Daddio’s 10 x 15 x 2-Inch Sheet Cake PanBest for serious bakers
|
Frequent bakers | 10 x 15 x 2 in | Anodized aluminum | View on Amazon |
Nordic Ware Extra Large High-Sided PanBest big batch
|
Very large groups | 20.4 x 14.4 in surface | Uncoated aluminum | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Sizes are as stated in each listing; measure your oven before you buy a large pan.
Our picks for the best sheet cake pan
These eight run from an 8 x 12-inch pan to one that takes most of a standard oven rack, from five makers. The larger pans are uncoated or anodized aluminum, the traditional bakery choice, and the nonstick options are all 9x13s, each with a different coating or care. For a closer look at the 9×13 size alone, see our guide to the best 9×13 cake pans; the pans here focus on larger cakes, with three nonstick 9×13 options for smaller gatherings.
1. Nordic Ware Naturals High-Sided Sheet Pan – Half-Sheet Cake Capacity
This is the pan that looks like a half sheet and bakes like a cake pan. It has about the same footprint as a standard half sheet, 17.88 by 12.88 inches outside, but with two-inch walls and an interior of 16.5 by 11.38 inches. Nordic Ware says the tall sides handle double and triple recipes of brownies and bars as well as sheet cakes.
It is pure aluminum, which Nordic Ware says will not rust, and a reinforced encapsulated steel rim helps to prevent warping. That rim also makes a full pan of batter safer to carry. The pan is made in the USA, hand washing is recommended, and the listing states a limited lifetime warranty.
Uncoated aluminum needs a grease-and-flour or a sheet of parchment for a clean release, particularly if you plan to turn the cake out rather than serve from the pan.
Why we like it
- Half-sheet footprint with two-inch walls
- Pure aluminum, per Nordic Ware
- Encapsulated steel rim to prevent warping
- Made in the USA
Key specifications
| Model | 44700 |
|---|---|
| Material | Natural aluminum |
| Interior size | 16.5 x 11.38 x 2 in |
| Exterior size | 17.88 x 12.88 x 2 in |
| Depth | 2 in |
| Surface | Uncoated |
| Made in | USA |
| Care | Hand wash recommended |
Why we recommend it
It is the most useful single size for a large gathering, from an identifiable maker that states its dimensions clearly. The interior area is about 1.6 times a 9×13, so it takes a recipe and a half with a little room left.
Skip it if your oven or your crowd is small; check that your oven rack can take a pan nearly 18 inches long.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Big capacity in a standard footprint
- Steel rim adds strength
- Limited lifetime warranty stated
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Needs grease and flour or parchment
- Hand wash recommended
- Large to store
2. Wilton 11 x 15-Inch Aluminum Sheet Cake Pan – A Home-Oven Party Size
If a half-sheet size feels like too much pan, 11 by 15 inches is a comfortable step up from a 9×13. Wilton makes this one from natural anodized aluminum with two-inch straight walls, and says the straight sides give sharp cake edges that are easier to decorate and need less trimming.
Wilton states it is made without PFAS and calls the pan non-reactive, so it also suits a lasagna or a casserole. The listing says “designed in the USA” rather than made there, and the country of manufacture is not stated. Care is not spelled out on this listing, though Wilton lists its similar 9 x 13 aluminum pan as hand wash only, so treat this one the same way.
Why we like it
- Roomy size that fits most home ovens
- Two-inch straight walls for clean edges
- Anodized aluminum, made without PFAS
- Also usable for savory bakes
Key specifications
| Model | 2105-158 |
|---|---|
| Material | Anodized aluminum |
| Interior size | 11 x 15 x 2 in |
| Exterior size | Not stated |
| Depth | 2 in |
| Surface | Uncoated, no chemical coating per Wilton |
| Made in | Not stated (designed in the USA) |
| Care | Not stated; hand washing is the cautious choice |
Why we recommend it
It is a good choice for a birthday cake that needs to serve a good number without taking over the oven. The area is about 1.4 times a 9×13, which makes recipe scaling easy.
Skip it if you want to bake without any greasing or parchment; choose a nonstick pan.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very practical size
- Crisp edges for decorating
- Made without PFAS
Cons
- Care not stated on this listing
- Country of manufacture not stated
- Not nonstick
3. Chicago Metallic Everyday Nonstick 9×13 Pan – Nonstick Without PTFE
This is Chicago Metallic’s everyday rectangular cake pan: 9 by 13 by 2 inches, in heavy-gauge carbon steel. The listing says the nonstick coating is silicone-based and free of PTFE and PFOA, which sets it apart from the PTFE-coated OXO further down.
A reinforced rolled rim is meant to resist warping, and the maker gives an oven-safe limit of 450°F. Textured handles give you a better hold with oven mitts on, which matters with a full pan of batter. Chicago Metallic recommends hand washing to make the coating last.
It is a 9×13, so it suits the everyday sheet cake rather than a party for forty. Use soft tools, and lift the cake out to cut it if you can, since a knife will mark any nonstick surface.
Why we like it
- PTFE and PFOA free coating, per the listing
- Two-inch walls stated
- Reinforced rolled rim
- Textured handles
Key specifications
| Model | 5296115 |
|---|---|
| Material | Heavy-gauge carbon steel |
| Interior size | 9 x 13 x 2 in (as listed) |
| Exterior size | Not stated |
| Depth | 2 in |
| Surface | Silicone-based nonstick, PTFE and PFOA free |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Hand wash recommended |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want an easy-release sheet cake pan and would rather not use a PTFE coating. It was sold by Amazon when we checked.
Skip it if you need a party-size pan, or want to put your pan in the dishwasher.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No PTFE coating
- Rim resists warping, per the maker
- Easy grip
Cons
- Only 9 x 13 inches
- Hand wash recommended
- Oven safe to 450°F, lower than the aluminum pans
4. Fat Daddio’s 10 x 15 x 2-Inch Sheet Cake Pan – Thick Anodized Aluminum
Fat Daddio’s specializes in plain anodized bakeware. This one measures 10 by 15 by 2 inches inside and 11 by 16 inches overall, in 16-gauge anodized aluminum. The listing states a rating up to 550°F, and says the pan is safe with citrus-based foods and is built for home and commercial kitchens.
The maker says the pan will not rust, peel or flake, and that it heats and cools quickly, which it says helps to prevent over-baking. Its capacity line reads 10.5 cups, which looks low for a pan this size, so go by the dimensions. The listing states a lifetime warranty. At last check it was sold by a third party, BakeDeco, rather than Amazon.
Why we like it
- 16-gauge anodized aluminum
- Rated to 550°F
- Safe for citrus-based foods, per the maker
- Lifetime warranty stated
Key specifications
| Model | POB-10152 |
|---|---|
| Material | Anodized aluminum, 16 gauge |
| Interior size | 10 x 15 x 2 in |
| Exterior size | 11 x 16 x 2 in |
| Depth | 2 in |
| Surface | Anodized, uncoated |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated in the features |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone who bakes often and wants thick, plain metal and clear sizing. A slightly narrower pan like this also suits a smaller oven.
Skip it if you want a nonstick surface, or prefer to buy directly from Amazon.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Solid thick aluminum
- Clear inside and outside sizes
- Lifetime warranty stated
Cons
- Not nonstick
- Third-party seller at last check
- Capacity figure looks unreliable
5. Nordic Ware Extra Large High-Sided Pan – For the Biggest Crowds
The biggest pan here, 21.1 by 15 by 2 inches outside with a 20.4 by 14.4-inch cooking surface. Nordic Ware says it is sized to fit standard, full-size home ovens, oven safe to 500°F and broiler safe, in natural aluminum with the same encapsulated steel rim.
Before buying, measure. A pan this size will suit a full-size range and not a small or apartment oven, and it also has to fit on a counter and in a sink. Filled, it is also heavy, so plan a clear path to the oven. The maker says it is American-made from domestic and imported materials.
Why we like it
- 20.4 x 14.4-inch surface
- Fits full-size ovens, per the maker
- Oven safe to 500°F and broiler safe
- Encapsulated steel rim
Key specifications
| Model | 35700AMZM |
|---|---|
| Material | Natural aluminum |
| Interior size | 20.4 x 14.4 in surface |
| Exterior size | 21.1 x 15 x 2 in |
| Depth | 2 in |
| Surface | Uncoated |
| Made in | USA, from domestic and imported materials |
| Care | Not stated in the features |
Why we recommend it
It makes sense for a church supper, a graduation or a big family party, when you would otherwise be baking two pans. It holds the most of any pan we looked at.
Skip it if your oven is less than full size, or you bake for fewer than a couple of dozen people.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest capacity here
- Also roasts and broils
- US-made
Cons
- Will not fit small ovens
- Heavy when full
- Hard to store and wash
6. Fat Daddio’s 8 x 12 x 2-Inch Sheet Cake Pan – A Small Sheet for Small Ovens
The small end of the range, 8 by 12 by 2 inches inside and 9 by 13 overall, in the same 16-gauge anodized aluminum as its larger sibling. It is a good size for a small household that still wants a corner piece.
Note that the outside size of 9 by 13 inches is not the same as a 9×13 pan’s inside size. A recipe written for a 9×13 will overflow this pan, so scale down by about a fifth. The listing states a lifetime warranty and 550°F rating. BakeDeco was the lead seller at last check.
Why we like it
- Compact interior of 8 x 12 inches
- 16-gauge anodized aluminum
- Rated to 550°F
- Lifetime warranty stated
Key specifications
| Model | POB-8122 |
|---|---|
| Material | Anodized aluminum, 16 gauge |
| Interior size | 8 x 12 x 2 in |
| Exterior size | 9 x 13 x 2 in |
| Depth | 2 in |
| Surface | Anodized, uncoated |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated in the features |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for small households who want the sheet cake format, or as a small companion pan for a bakery-style kitchen.
Skip it if you want it for standard 9×13 recipes; it is smaller than that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compact and easy to store
- Thick plain metal
- Clear sizing
Cons
- Too small for standard 9×13 recipes
- Third-party seller at last check
- Not nonstick
7. OXO Non-Stick Pro 9 x 13-Inch Cake Pan – Coated and Dishwasher Safe
A 9×13 is the sheet cake most home bakers make most often. OXO makes this one from heavy-gauge aluminized steel with a two-layer, ceramic-reinforced PTFE coating, and says a micro-textured surface promotes airflow under the cake. Its title says dishwasher safe, unusual among the pans here.
Square rolled edges give you something to hold, and the dimensions are marked on the rim. The listing states it is PFOA free and made in the USA from globally sourced materials, and the coating is PTFE, so choose one of the aluminum pans if you are avoiding that. Depth is not stated.
Why we like it
- Ceramic-reinforced PTFE coating, per the listing
- Dishwasher safe
- Square rolled edges for grip
- Size marked on the rim
Key specifications
| Model | 11160200 |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminized steel |
| Interior size | 9 x 13 in |
| Exterior size | Not stated |
| Depth | Not stated |
| Surface | PTFE nonstick |
| Made in | USA, from globally sourced materials |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for everyday small sheet cakes and brownies, particularly if easy cleanup decides what you reach for.
Skip it if you are avoiding PTFE coatings, or want to serve big groups.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easy release and cleanup
- Secure rolled edges
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- PTFE coating
- Depth not stated
- Knives can mark coating
8. Wilton Silver Non-Stick 13 x 9 x 2-Inch Pan – Dishwasher Safe and Made Without PFAS
Wilton’s nonstick oblong pan is the plain, practical 9×13. The listing gives it as 13 by 9 by 2 inches, in cold rolled steel with a nonstick surface, and says it is dishwasher safe and made without PFAS. That pairing is why it is here: the OXO pan is dishwasher safe but PTFE-coated, and the Chicago Metallic pan is PTFE-free but hand wash.
The title states a 5-year limited warranty. Wilton suggests it for lasagna and roasting as well as cakes and brownies, and its two-inch depth is enough for a sheet cake. The listing does not say what the nonstick coating is or where the pan is made.
Why we like it
- Dishwasher safe, per Wilton
- Made without PFAS, per Wilton
- Two-inch depth stated
- 5-year limited warranty in the title
Key specifications
| Model | 191011503 |
|---|---|
| Material | Cold rolled steel |
| Interior size | 13 x 9 x 2 in (as listed) |
| Exterior size | Not stated |
| Depth | 2 in |
| Surface | Nonstick; coating type not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
Choose it for weeknight sheet cakes and brownies when you want a pan that can go straight into the dishwasher, from a maker that states it is made without PFAS.
Skip it if you want to know exactly what the coating is, or need a pan bigger than 9×13.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
- Made without PFAS
- Sold by Amazon at last check
Cons
- Coating type not stated
- Country of manufacture not stated
- Only 9 x 13 inches
How to choose a sheet cake pan by size
Start with the number of people you are feeding and the size of your oven. Then think about the surface.
1. Inside size, not outside
Listings often quote an outside measurement. A pan sold as 9 x 13 outside may be noticeably smaller inside, and that is what decides how much batter it holds. Throughout this guide we use the inside figure where the listing gives one, and call out the pans where it matters.
| Pan (inside) | Baking area | Compared with a 9×13 |
|---|---|---|
| 8 x 12 in | 96 sq in | About 0.8 times |
| 9 x 13 in | 117 sq in | Standard |
| 10 x 15 in | 150 sq in | About 1.3 times |
| 11 x 15 in | 165 sq in | About 1.4 times |
| 16.5 x 11.38 in | 188 sq in | About 1.6 times |
| 20.4 x 14.4 in | 294 sq in | About 2.5 times |
Those multiples come from simple arithmetic on the sizes above, and they assume similar depth. Use them to scale a recipe, and fill any pan no more than about two-thirds full so the batter has room to rise.
2. Wall height
Look for two inches. A half sheet pan with a one-inch rim is a good choice for cookies and sheet-pan dinners, but a cake batter will rise right over it. If what you really need is a small rimmed pan, see our guide to the best quarter sheet pan.
3. Your oven
Measure the inside of your oven and allow at least an inch of air on every side. Air has to move around the pan for the middle to bake. The Nordic Ware extra large pan is the one most likely to be a problem, so check it twice.
4. Uncoated aluminum or nonstick
Plain aluminum is what bakeries have long used: it does not need a coating, and it can last for years. You grease and flour it or line it with parchment. Nonstick is quicker and easier but needs gentler tools, and coatings wear over time. Anodized aluminum sits between the two: harder and less reactive than bare aluminum, but still not truly nonstick.
5. How you will serve it
If you frost and cut the cake in the pan, plain metal is the better choice, since a knife will not hurt it much. If you turn the cake out onto a board, nonstick or a parchment sling makes it far easier. A lid or a cake carrier helps if the cake has to travel.
How we picked these eight sheet cake pans
We looked for pans with two-inch walls, from identifiable makers, sold on Amazon in the United States, new and in stock when we checked. We read each listing for material, inside and outside size, surface, warranty and care, and chose a spread of sizes and surfaces rather than several near-identical pans, with no more than two pans from any one maker. We searched for an independent comparison of high-sided sheet cake pans and found none we could read and cite: the results were general sheet pan tests or aggregator pages. So these picks rest on the makers’ listings, and the sizing advice rests on the arithmetic above. We avoided every pan already on our 9×13 page and other guides. We have not baked in these pans ourselves.
Getting a sheet cake out clean and level
- Prepare the pan. Grease and flour it, or line it with parchment that overhangs the two long sides as handles. For nonstick, a thin film of butter or spray is enough.
- Spread the batter evenly with an offset spatula, pushing it toward the corners, where it tends to bake first.
- Expect to adjust time. A larger, thinner layer can bake faster than the original recipe says, and a large pan can take longer in the middle. Start checking early, and test the center.
- Rotate halfway if your oven runs hot at the back. Big pans show uneven ovens more clearly.
- Cool completely before frosting, in the pan on a rack. A warm cake melts the frosting and is much more likely to break if you lift it out.
Sheet cake pan questions, answered
What size is a standard sheet cake pan?
There is no single standard. At home, a 9×13-inch pan is the usual small sheet cake and an 11 x 15-inch or half-sheet pan is the usual party size. Bakery sizes are different again, so check the inside measurements before you trust a recipe.
Is a half sheet cake pan the same as a half sheet pan?
The footprint can be about the same, but a standard half sheet pan has a roughly one-inch rim, and a half sheet cake pan needs walls of about two inches. The Nordic Ware high-sided pans here are built this way.
How many people does a half sheet cake feed?
It depends on the cut. As a rough guide, cut into 2-inch squares, a 16.5 x 11.38-inch pan gives about 40 pieces, by simple division. Larger slices give fewer, and bakeries often cut smaller.
Can I bake a 9×13 recipe in a bigger pan?
Yes, but scale it. Use the table above to find the multiple, then increase the ingredients by that amount. If you leave the recipe as written, you get a thinner cake that bakes faster.
Do I need a nonstick sheet cake pan?
Not if you line the pan with parchment or serve from it. Nonstick helps most if you want to turn the whole cake out with little fuss. Choose plain aluminum if you would rather avoid a coating.
Our final pick for party cakes
Buy the Nordic Ware Naturals High-Sided Sheet Pan for big cakes, the Wilton 11 x 15 if you want something easier to handle, and the Chicago Metallic Everyday Nonstick 9×13 if you want easy release without a PTFE coating. For the most common size, compare the options in our guide to the best 9×13 cake pans. If tres leches is what you have in mind, our flan versus tres leches guide explains that cake, and any of these deep pans will hold its milk soak.
And if you would rather leave dessert to someone else tonight, see the menu or call to order.