Urn Size Calculation
Calculating the Right Urn Size & Amount of Ashes
How Big Should an Urn Be?
The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) recommends a standard adult cremation urn size of 200 cubic inches. However, the exact amount of ashes can vary based on factors such as height, bone density, and medical implants.
Urn capacity is measured in cubic inches, where one cubic inch equals 1" long, 1" wide, and 1" deep. Typical urn sizes include:
Adult urns: ~200 cubic inches
Companion urns (for two individuals): ~400 cubic inches
In most cases, a 200 cubic inch urn is sufficient for an adult. However, exceptions may occur due to individual body composition, cremation machine efficiency, or medical implants.
General Rule of Thumb
To estimate the urn size required, use this formula:
1 pound of body weight = 1 cubic inch of cremated remains
For example:
A 175-pound individual will need an urn of approximately 175 cubic inches.
While this formula is generally reliable, actual volume may vary slightly as cremated remains typically weigh slightly less than the original body weight.
Urn Size Chart for Women
This chart provides an estimate of cubic inches needed based on height and body frame.
| Height | Small Frame | Medium Frame | Large Frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4'10" | 102-111 | 109-121 | 118-131 |
| 4'11" | 103-113 | 111-123 | 120-134 |
| 5'0" | 104-115 | 113-126 | 122-137 |
| 5'1" | 106-118 | 115-129 | 125-140 |
| 5'2" | 108-121 | 118-132 | 128-143 |
| 5'3" | 111-124 | 121-135 | 131-147 |
| 5'4" | 114-127 | 124-138 | 134-151 |
| 5'5" | 117-130 | 127-141 | 137-155 |
| 5'6" | 120-133 | 130-144 | 140-159 |
| 5'7" | 123-136 | 133-147 | 143-163 |
Urn Size Chart for Men
Use the table below to determine the approximate urn size based on height and body frame.
| Height | Small Frame | Medium Frame | Large Frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5'1" | 128-134 | 131-141 | 138-150 |
| 5'3" | 130-136 | 133-143 | 140-153 |
| 5'4" | 132-138 | 135-145 | 142-156 |
| 5'5" | 134-140 | 137-148 | 144-160 |
| 5'6" | 136-142 | 139-151 | 146-164 |
| 5'7" | 138-145 | 142-154 | 149-168 |
| 5'8" | 140-148 | 145-157 | 152-172 |
| 5'9" | 142-151 | 148-160 | 155-176 |
| 5'10" | 144-154 | 151-163 | 158-180 |
| 5'11" | 146-157 | 154-166 | 161-184 |
Standard Urn Sizing Guide
Standard adult urns typically have a capacity of 200 cubic inches, according to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA). This standard size accommodates individuals weighing up to 200 pounds.
For individuals between 6 feet and 6 feet 5 inches tall, sizing considerations become more nuanced. Those with smaller or medium frames can usually be accommodated by standard urns. However, individuals with larger frames, particularly those 6 feet 4 inches or taller, often require larger capacity options.
In these cases, we recommend either:
- Extra-large urns (225-300 cubic inches)
-
Companion urns (350-400 cubic inches)
|
Height
|
Frame Size
|
Estimated Weight (lbs)
|
Minimum Urn Size (cubic inches)
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
6 ft
|
Small
|
155–165
|
155–165
|
|
6 ft
|
Medium
|
165–180
|
165–180
|
|
6 ft
|
Large
|
180–195
|
180–195
|
|
6 ft 1 in
|
Small
|
160–170
|
160–170
|
|
6 ft 1 in
|
Medium
|
170–185
|
170–185
|
|
6 ft 1 in
|
Large
|
185–200
|
185–200
|
|
6 ft 2 in
|
Small
|
165–175
|
165–175
|
|
6 ft 2 in
|
Medium
|
175–190
|
175–190
|
|
6 ft 2 in
|
Large
|
190–205
|
190–205
|
|
6 ft 3 in
|
Small
|
170–180
|
170–180
|
|
6 ft 3 in
|
Medium
|
180–195
|
180–195
|
|
6 ft 3 in
|
Large
|
195–210
|
195–210
|
|
6 ft 4 in
|
Small
|
175–185
|
175–185
|
|
6 ft 4 in
|
Medium
|
185–200
|
185–200
|
|
6 ft 4 in
|
Large
|
200–215
|
200–215
|
|
6 ft 5 in
|
Small
|
180–190
|
180–190
|
|
6 ft 5 in
|
Medium
|
190–205
|
190–205
|
|
6 ft 5 in
|
Large
|
205–220
|
205–220
|
Measuring Cremated Remains
To accurately measure cremated remains:
Place the plastic bag containing the ashes inside a box with flat sides (a temporary urn box works well).
Measure the height, width, and depth (in inches) of the remains.
Multiply these dimensions together to find the total volume in cubic inches.
Example Calculation:
If the box measures 8" x 6" x 3.75", the total volume would be 180 cubic inches.
Quick Conversions:
1 pound ≈ 1 cubic inch (Estimate)
1 cup ≈ 14.44 cubic inches
Finding the Right Urn Size
Standard adult urns hold 200 cubic inches. Browse our collection [here].
Companion urns (for two people) hold 400 cubic inches. Shop our selection [here].
For personalized assistance, call us at 541-543-3438 during business hours or email us at Support@sunstonememorials.com anytime. If we're unavailable, please leave a message, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.