Urn Size Calculator: What Size Urn Do You Need?
Choosing an urn is one less thing to worry about with this free calculator. It uses the funeral industry’s standard rule — 1 pound of body weight equals about 1 cubic inch of cremated remains — to tell you the urn capacity you need for a person or a pet.
How the urn size rule works
Cremated remains are bone fragments, not soft tissue, so the amount is driven by body frame. The long-standing industry guideline is 1 cubic inch of urn capacity per pound of healthy body weight. A standard adult urn holds 200 cubic inches — enough for most adults up to about 200 lbs. When in doubt, size up: an urn that’s a little large is never a problem, but one that’s too small is.
Common urn sizes
- Keepsake urn — under 15 cubic inches. Holds a small, symbolic portion; often shared among family.
- Small / infant / pet urn — 15–100 cubic inches, sized to the pet’s or child’s weight.
- Standard adult urn — about 200 cubic inches (up to ~200 lb).
- Oversized / companion urn — 250–400+ cubic inches, for larger individuals or two people together.
Frequently asked questions
The standard rule is 1 pound of body weight (before cremation) equals about 1 cubic inch of cremated remains. So a person who weighed 180 lbs needs roughly 180 cubic inches. A standard adult urn holds 200 cubic inches, which suits most adults up to about 200 lbs.
A standard adult urn holds about 200 cubic inches, enough for an adult of roughly 200 pounds. For larger individuals, choose an oversized/companion urn (250–400+ cubic inches). Keepsake urns hold a small portion and are typically under 15 cubic inches.
An adult typically produces 3–7 pounds of cremated remains — about 150–200 cubic inches — resembling coarse pale gray-white sand. The exact amount depends on bone density and body size, not soft tissue.
Use the same 1 lb ≈ 1 cubic inch rule with your pet’s weight. A 10 lb cat needs about 10 cubic inches; a 70 lb dog about 70 cubic inches. Pet urns are sized by weight range, so round up to the next size for a comfortable fit.
After you choose an urn
Read our guides on choosing a cremation urn and pet urns. A small QR memorial plaque can attach to any urn and open a free digital memorial page of photos, video and stories with a single scan.