Is 4oz a Quarter Pounder? Unpacking the Famous Burger's Weight

December 4, 2025 •

2 min read

Before cooking, the beef patty for a McDonald's Quarter Pounder was originally portioned at exactly four ounces. This fact, however, has changed over the years, leading to confusion about the burger's actual size and weight today.

Quick Summary

The McDonald's Quarter Pounder was named for its 4oz pre-cooked patty weight, but this has since been adjusted to 4.25oz. The final cooked weight is significantly less due to moisture and fat loss during grilling.

Key Points

Pre-cooked vs. Cooked Weight: A Quarter Pounder was originally a 4oz pre-cooked patty, but now uses a 4.25oz patty, which shrinks to about 3oz after cooking.
Historical Origin: The burger was created in 1971 with a 4oz patty by a McDonald's franchisee, Al Bernardin, in Fremont, California.
Enduring Name: The name Quarter Pounder is a branding staple, despite the weight change, due to strong customer recognition and a past competitor's marketing blunder.
Weight Loss During Cooking: Ground beef loses approximately 20-25% of its weight when cooked, primarily due to the evaporation of water and rendering of fat.
Global Naming: The burger is known by different names in countries that don't use the imperial system, reinforcing its status as a brand name rather than a strict measurement.
Fresh Beef Switch: Since 2018, McDonald's has used 100% fresh beef for the Quarter Pounder in the contiguous U.S., further distinguishing it from standard burgers.

The Origin of the Quarter Pounder Name

In 1971, McDonald's franchisee Al Bernardin introduced the Quarter Pounder in Fremont, California. The name directly referred to the patty's uncooked weight of four ounces. It was added to the national menu in 1973. The naming strategy was effective, even highlighting a competitor's marketing issue in the 1980s.

The Change from 4oz to 4.25oz

While originally based on a 4oz patty, McDonald's increased the precooked weight to 4.25 ounces in 2015. This change aimed to provide a more substantial meal. The name remains, but the precise quarter-pound measurement is now more historical than current. This reflects how fast-food items evolve.

The Difference Between Raw and Cooked Weight

Meat loses weight during cooking, primarily due to moisture and fat loss. A burger patty can shrink by up to 25%. The Quarter Pounder name refers to the raw weight. {Link: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter_Pounder}

Quarter Pounder vs. Competitor Burgers: A Weight Comparison

Comparing the Quarter Pounder to other burgers provides context. {Link: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter_Pounder}

Why the Name Quarter Pounder Endures

The name Quarter Pounder persists due to brand recognition, historical significance, and simplicity. A competitor's past marketing misstep also reinforced the power of the original name.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Number

Although the Quarter Pounder's pre-cooked patty is now 4.25oz, the name reflects its original 4oz weight and historical significance. The cooked patty weighs about 3oz due to shrinkage. {Link: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter_Pounder}

For additional insights into fast-food history, particularly how fractions can confuse consumers, explore this article: How failing at fractions saved the Quarter Pounder | CBC Radio

A Quick Look at the Quarter Pounder's Journey

The Quarter Pounder was introduced in 1971 with a 4oz patty and added to the national menu in 1973. Its name proved effective in the 1980s. The pre-cooked weight increased to 4.25oz in 2015, and in 2018, it switched to fresh beef in the U.S..

The Anatomy of the Modern Quarter Pounder

The modern Quarter Pounder features a toasted sesame seed bun, a 4.25oz fresh beef patty, two slices of American cheese, pickles, slivered onions, ketchup, and mustard.

How Cooking Affects Weight and Nutrition

The weight loss during cooking (water and fat) means a 3oz cooked patty has the same nutritional value as the 4.25oz raw patty.

The Quarter Pounder Today

Since 2018 in the contiguous U.S., the Quarter Pounder uses 100% fresh beef. This, along with its classic recipe, maintains its popularity. The name reflects its legacy and size.

Global Variations

In countries using the metric system, the Quarter Pounder has different names, such as "Royal Cheese" in France. This highlights the name as a brand element. {Link: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter_Pounder}

Frequently Asked Questions

A 4oz burger patty is what the Quarter Pounder was originally named for, but today, the pre-cooked patty weighs 4.25oz.

After cooking, a Quarter Pounder patty weighs approximately 3 ounces due to moisture and fat loss during grilling.

McDonald's increased the pre-cooked weight of the Quarter Pounder patty to 4.25oz in 2015 to offer customers a more substantial burger experience.

The Quarter Pounder name is considered a trade descriptor or brand name, not a precise measurement of the final cooked product, and refers to the historical pre-cooked weight.

A burger patty typically loses around 20-25% of its weight during cooking, a process that accounts for water evaporation and fat rendering.

In some countries, the Quarter Pounder is known by a different name, such as the "Royal Cheese" in France, as they don't commonly use the imperial system.

A Quarter Pounder has a single, thicker patty (4.25oz raw) made with fresh beef, while a Big Mac features two thinner patties made from frozen beef (1.6oz each) in the U.S..