How Many Cans Fit in a 45 Quart Cooler
A 45 quart cooler holds about 40 cans with ice at 2:1, 60 at 1:1 and 79 with no ice.
45-quart cooler
40 cans with ice
at 2:1 ice to drinks · 60 cans at 1:1 · about 79 cans with no ice at all
| Packing | Cans | Ice |
|---|---|---|
| 2 parts ice : 1 part drinks | 40 | 34.5 lb |
| 1 : 1 | 60 | 26 lb |
| Cans only, no ice | 79 | — |
Coolers near 45 quarts
| Cooler | Rated qt | Real interior qt | Cans at 2:1 | Maker claim (usually no ice) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled | — | 45.2 | 40 | 76 |
| Pelican Elite 50 | 52 | 45.7 | 40 | 38 |
| YETI Tundra 65 | — | 48.8 | 43 | 77 |
| Igloo Latitude 52 | 52 | 52 | 46 | 76 |
| Coleman Xtreme 50 Wheeled | 50 | 52.1 | 46 | 84 |
How we calculate
- Cans with ice = quarts ÷ (ratio + 1) ÷ 0.375 qt of drink per 12-oz can. The cans sit in the ice, so drink volume is what counts. This matches YETI's own 2:1 counts.
- Cans only: a 12-oz can takes about 32.7 cubic inches (0.565 qt) in a square grid.
- Real interior volume often differs from the number on the label; check the model pages linked above.
Data as of Oct 2026. Full list of sources: How we calculate.
Related
Ice calculatorPounds of ice for your party
Cooler capacity chartReal quarts and cans for every model
25 quart coolerCans with ice
35 quart coolerCans with ice
FAQ
How many cans fit in a 45 quart cooler?
About 40 cans with ice at 2:1, 60 at 1:1, or 79 cans with no ice. Labels usually quote the no-ice number.
How much ice for a 45 quart cooler?
About 34.5 lb with 40 cans at 2:1, or 26 lb with 60 cans at 1:1.
How many people is a 45 quart cooler good for?
About 16 guests for a 3-hour party with ice at 2:1, or 24 if drinks go in cold at 1:1.
Why does my cooler hold fewer cans than the box says?
Box claims usually count cans with no ice, and some list exterior or rounded volume. With ice for a full day, expect about half the box number.