How Many Cups of Strawberries Are in a Flat?

November 19, 2025 •

4 min read

A standard flat of strawberries typically contains between 18 and 30 cups of berries, though the exact amount depends on whether the berries are whole, sliced, or pureed. This variability is a key consideration for anyone planning a large-batch recipe, like jam or pie, and highlights the importance of understanding the different ways to measure this sweet fruit.

Quick Summary

The number of cups in a flat of strawberries varies based on berry preparation, common flat sizes (12-pint vs. 8-quart), and berry size. Whole, sliced, or pureed quantities differ significantly, requiring careful measurement for recipes.

Key Points

Variable Yield: A flat's cup yield varies significantly depending on whether the berries are whole, sliced, or pureed.
Two Flat Sizes: Be aware that a "flat" can either be 12 pints or 8 quarts, leading to different total amounts of berries.
Whole Berries Yield Most: When measured whole, a 12-pint flat yields approximately 30 cups, and an 8-quart flat yields about 40 cups.
Pureed Berries Yield Least: Pureeing compresses the volume, resulting in fewer cups; a 12-pint flat yields about 15-18 cups pureed.
Prepare Before Measuring: For accurate measurements, always wash and hull strawberries before converting them to cups.
Weight Influences Volume: Factors like berry size and packing can affect the final volume, so measuring by weight is sometimes more precise.

A flat of strawberries is a large-volume purchase, commonly made during peak season for preserving, canning, or large-scale baking. However, since recipes often call for measurements in cups rather than flats, converting this bulk quantity can be confusing. The final cup count is not a single number but depends heavily on how the strawberries are prepared and the regional standard for a “flat.” Understanding these variables is key to achieving success with your recipe.

The Standard Flat: 12 Pints or 8 Quarts?

One of the primary reasons for confusion surrounding a flat's volume is that its definition can vary. The term "flat" can refer to different quantities depending on the source. At many farmer's markets, a flat is standardized as either 12-pint or 8-quart baskets. Since a quart is twice the volume of a pint, these two flat sizes contain significantly different amounts of fruit. Furthermore, some growers sell flats by weight, with a typical flat containing around 8 to 12 pounds of strawberries.

Calculating Cups from a 12-Pint Flat

If your flat contains twelve pint-sized containers, the cup yield can be calculated based on the preparation method. A single pint of fresh strawberries offers different cup amounts depending on whether they are kept whole, sliced, or pureed.

Whole Berries: One pint of whole berries yields approximately 2.5 cups. A 12-pint flat, therefore, contains around 30 cups of whole strawberries (12 pints * 2.5 cups/pint).
Sliced Berries: One pint of sliced berries yields between 1.5 and 2 cups. A 12-pint flat would contain between 18 and 24 cups of sliced strawberries (12 pints * 1.5-2 cups/pint).
Pureed Berries: One pint of pureed strawberries yields approximately 1.25 to 1.5 cups. A 12-pint flat provides between 15 and 18 cups of pureed strawberries (12 pints * 1.25-1.5 cups/pint).

Calculating Cups from an 8-Quart Flat

For a flat containing eight quart-sized containers, the conversions are different. Remember that one quart is equivalent to two pints. The North Carolina Strawberry Association offers some reliable quart-based conversions.

Whole Berries: One quart yields about 5 cups of whole berries. An 8-quart flat contains roughly 40 cups of whole strawberries (8 quarts * 5 cups/quart).
Sliced Berries: One quart yields about 4 cups of sliced berries. An 8-quart flat contains roughly 32 cups of sliced strawberries (8 quarts * 4 cups/quart).

The Impact of Preparation: Whole vs. Sliced vs. Pureed

The way you prepare the strawberries has a significant effect on their final volume. When you slice or puree strawberries, you eliminate the air pockets that exist between whole berries in a container. This compression naturally reduces the overall volume, which is why pureed berries result in the fewest cups per flat. For instance, a 12-pint flat yields 30 cups of whole berries but only 15-18 cups when pureed. For jam-making, this pureed volume is the most relevant measurement.

A Quick Reference Guide: Flat of Strawberries to Cups


Flat Size	Whole Berries (approx. cups)	Sliced Berries (approx. cups)	Pureed Berries (approx. cups)
12-Pint Flat	30 cups	18-24 cups	15-18 cups
8-Quart Flat	40 cups	32 cups	Not specified, but lower than sliced
8-lb Flat	30 cups	22 cups	Not specified

Factors That Influence Your Yield

Beyond the preparation method, other factors can subtly change your final cup count:

Berry Size: Larger strawberries will create more air space between them when whole, potentially lowering the cup yield compared to a flat of smaller berries. A pint of small berries may pack more tightly.
Packing Density: How tightly the berries are packed into their containers can affect the volume. For best accuracy when measuring at home, gently fill the cup and avoid pressing down.
Hulling: Removing the green caps (hulling) reduces the total weight and volume. Always hull strawberries before measuring them for recipes unless otherwise specified.

Getting the Most Out of Your Flat of Strawberries

Once you have your flat of fresh strawberries, you have many options beyond just eating them plain. For recipes, determining the proper cup count is a crucial first step. If you find yourself with more strawberries than you can use immediately, consider preserving them.

Freezing: Wash, hull, and flash-freeze berries on a baking sheet before transferring them to freezer bags. Use frozen berries for smoothies, sauces, and baked goods.
Jam or Jelly: Use the pureed measurement to make delicious spreads. For a fantastic recipe, check out the How to Use a Flat of Strawberries: Strawberry Vanilla Syrup guide from West of the Loop.
Sauces: Make a quick sauce for pancakes, ice cream, or other desserts.
Dehydrating: Create healthy dried strawberry snacks for a long-lasting treat.

Conclusion

While there is no single answer to how many cups of strawberries are in a flat, the range is predictable based on a few key factors. By first determining if your flat is based on a 12-pint or 8-quart standard, and then considering whether you need whole, sliced, or pureed measurements, you can confidently convert your bulk purchase into the precise amounts required for any recipe. This simple conversion knowledge prevents food waste and ensures your culinary creations are a delicious success.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard flat of strawberries typically refers to a container holding 12 pints or 8 quarts of berries, although some growers may sell flats by weight, with amounts ranging from 8 to 12 pounds.

To measure strawberries, first rinse and hull them. For an accurate volume measurement, gently fill a measuring cup with the whole or cut berries without packing them down.

The weight of a flat of strawberries can vary. Some sources report weights between 8 and 12 pounds, depending on the size of the flat and the size of the berries.

A traditional market flat is often considered to hold 12 pints of strawberries, though some regions define a flat differently.

In some areas, a flat is considered to contain 8 quarts of strawberries, particularly for processing or commercial use.

Cutting or pureeing strawberries eliminates the air pockets between the whole berries, which reduces the overall volume. This is why you get fewer cups of sliced or pureed berries than whole berries.

For long-term preservation, you can freeze strawberries for use in smoothies or sauces, or process them into jam or jelly. Freezing them on a tray first helps prevent them from clumping together.