Calculator
Urn size calculator
Not sure what size urn to buy? Enter the person's weight and we'll tell you the urn capacity to look for, in cubic inches — the unit urns are sold in.
Enter the person's approximate weight in pounds. You don't need to be exact — round up if you're unsure, and a little extra capacity never hurts.
Recommended urn capacity
160 cu in
Look for a standard adult urn.
The industry-standard size; 200 cu in covers most adults.
Rule of thumb: about 1 cubic inch of urn capacity per pound of body weight. The standard adult urn is 200 cubic inches. If you'll divide ashes among several keepsakes, add their capacities to this total.
Common questions
- What size urn do I need?
- As a rule, you need about 1 cubic inch of urn capacity for every pound of the person's healthy body weight before cremation. The funeral-industry standard adult urn holds 200 cubic inches, which suits most adults. A 180-pound person needs roughly 180 cubic inches, so a 200 cu in urn fits comfortably.
- How many cubic inches are cremated remains?
- Cremated remains of an average adult are roughly 150 to 220 cubic inches by volume. The 1-cubic-inch-per-pound rule is a reliable way to estimate before you buy, because remains volume tracks closely with pre-cremation body weight.
- Can one urn hold two people?
- Yes — a companion urn is built to hold two adults' remains, typically 350 to 400+ cubic inches. Some couples instead choose two matching individual urns. If you plan to keep keepsakes, jewelry, or scatter part of the ashes, subtract that from what the main urn needs to hold.
- What if I want to divide the ashes?
- Add up the capacities you need. For example, a main 200 cu in urn plus three 5 cu in keepsakes is 215 cu in total. Keepsake and cremation jewelry hold only a token amount, so they barely change the size of the main urn you need.
This is a general guide, not a guarantee of fit. Cremated remains volume varies with body composition; when in doubt, choose a slightly larger urn or ask the provider. See the glossary for more terms.