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What Size Cooler Do I Need?

The Ultimate Guide For Every Adventure
Choosing the right cooler isn’t just about picking the biggest one you can find — it’s about finding the perfect size for your adventures, lifestyle, and storage needs. Whether you’re planning a weekend camping trip, hosting a tailgate party, or heading out for a long fishing expedition, the right cooler makes all the difference in keeping your food fresh and your drinks cold.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to choose the perfect cooler size, from small, portable options for day trips to large, heavy-duty coolers built for multi-day excursions.

Quick Answer: What Size Cooler Do You Need?


Activity YETI® Cooler Option
Day Trip/Solo Use
  • YETI® Roadie® 15 Hard Cooler
  • YETI® Roadie® 24 Hard Cooler
  • YETI® Hopper Flip® 12 Soft Cooler
  • YETI® Daytrip® 14L Bag
  • YETI® Hopper M20 Soft Cooler
  • Picnic/Beach Day
  • YETI® Hopper Flip® 12 Soft Cooler
  • YETI® Hopper Flip® 18 Soft Cooler
  • YETI® Hopper M20 Soft Cooler
  • YETI® Daytrip® 14L Bag
  • Weekend Camping
  • YETI® Tundra® 45 Hard Cooler
  • YETI® Tundra® 65 Hard Cooler
  • YETI® Roadie® 32 Wheeled Cooler
  • YETI® Roadie® 48 Wheeled Cooler
  • YETI® Hopper M30 Soft Cooler
  • Extended Camping
  • YETI® Tundra® 75 Hard Cooler
  • YETI® Tundra® 105 Hard Cooler
  • YETI® Tundra® 160 Hard Cooler
  • YETI® Roadie® 60 Wheeled Cooler
  • Fishing/Offshore
  • YETI® Tundra® 65 Hard Cooler
  • YETI® Tundra® 160 Hard Cooler
  • YETI® Hopper® M30 Soft Cooler
  • YETI® Hopper Flip® 18 Soft Cooler
  • Tailgating/Parties
  • YETI® Tundra Haul® (Wheeled) Hard Cooler
  • YETI® Hopper Flip® 12 Soft Cooler
  • YETI® Daytrip® 14L Bag


  • How to Choose the Right Cooler Size


    When picking the right cooler, it’s important to consider three key factors:


    1. Duration of Your Trip


    • Day-Trips: A smaller capacity cooler like the YETI® Roadie® 24 or YETI® Daytrip® 14L Tote Bag is perfect for a single day’s worth of food and drinks.
    • Weekend Adventures: For trips lasting 2–3 days, you’ll need something in the 45–65 quart range, like the YETI® Tundra® 45 Hard Cooler. You could also consider the Hopper® M30 Soft Cooler, depending on your carrying preference. 
    • Extended Journeys: Going off-grid for a week? You’ll want a large cooler, like the YETI® Tundra® 105 Hard Cooler, to ensure you have enough space and ice retention.


    2. Number of People


    The more people you’re packing for, the bigger the cooler you’ll need.


    Group Size Cooler Size Needed
    1 person (day trip)
  • Roadie® 15 Hard Cooler
  • Roadie® 24 Hard Cooler
  • Hopper Flip® 12 Soft Cooler
  • Hopper® M12 Backpack Soft Cooler
  • YETI® Daytrip® 14L Tote Bag
  • 2-4 people (1-2 days)
  • Hopper Flip® 18 Soft Cooler
  • Hopper® M20 Soft Cooler
  • Tundra® 35 Hard Cooler
  • 4-6 people (2-3 days)
  • Tundra® 65 Hard Cooler
  • Tundra® 75 Hard Cooler
  • Tundra® 105 Hard Cooler
  • Hopper® M30 Soft Cooler
  • Hopper Flip® 18 Soft Cooler
  • 6+ people (3+ days)
  • Tundra® 110 Hard Cooler
  • Tundra® 125 Hard Cooler
  • Tundra® 160 Hard Cooler
  • Tundra® 210 Hard Cooler
  • Tundra® 250 Hard Cooler


  • Pro Tip: For larger groups, consider using two coolers: one for food and one for drinks. This prevents frequent opening and helps maintain colder temperatures.


    3. How many cans will fit in my YETI® Cooler?


    Using 12 oz. cans as the measurement, you can see how each of the YETI® Coolers stack up in terms of carrying capacity. We recommended using a 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio by volume.


    If you’re wondering how many cans will fit in your YETI® Cooler:

    Cooler Model Cans with Ice (12 oz.) – 2:1 Ice to cans ratio Cans Only (12 oz.) Ice Only (lbs)
    Tundra® 35 Hard Cooler 20 39 28
    Tundra® 45 Hard Cooler 26 54 35
    Tundra® 65 Hard Cooler 39 77 56
    Tundra Haul® Hard Cooler 46 82 64
    Tundra® 75 Hard Cooler 50 131 66
    Tundra® 105 Hard Cooler 59 139 92
    Tundra® 110 Hard Cooler 65 150 101
    Tundra® 125 Hard Cooler 81 193 129
    Tundra® 160 Hard Cooler 100 229 159
    Tundra® 210 Hard Cooler 140 322 208
    Tundra® 250 Hard Cooler 155 362 232
    Tundra® 350 Hard Cooler 222 549 329
    Roadie® 15 Hard Cooler 12 22 16
    Roadie® 24 Hard Cooler 20 34 27
    Roadie® 32 Wheeled Hard Cooler 28 50 40
    Roadie® 48 Wheeled Hard Cooler 41 76 54
    Roadie® 60 Wheeled Hard Cooler 51 98 68
    Hopper Flip® 8 Soft Cooler 8 11 10
    Hopper Flip® 12 Soft Cooler 13 24 16
    Hopper Flip® 18 Soft Cooler 20 30 28
    Hopper® M12 Backpack Soft Cooler N/A 20 12
    Hopper® M20 Backpack Soft Cooler 18 36 22
    Hopper® M30 Tote Soft Cooler 26 42 32
    YETI Tank® 45 Ice Bucket 36 55 51
    YETI Tank® 85 Ice Bucket 70 111 100


    Pro Tip: If you’re planning to keep items frozen (like game meat or fish), you’ll need more ice and, therefore, a larger cooler.

    YETI® Cooler Size Guide for Every Adventure


    1. Day Trips & Solo Adventures


    Best Coolers:

    • Roadie® 15 Hard Cooler
    • Hopper Flip® 12 Soft Cooler
    • Hopper® M12 Backpack Soft Cooler (photo)
    • YETI® Daytrip® 14L Tote Bag

    Compact and lightweight, fits in car trunks and small spaces.


    Perfect for:
    Hiking, solo road trips, or a day on the lake

    Shop Hopper® M12 Backpack Cooler



    2. Picnics, Beach Days, & Short Outings


    Best Coolers:

    • Hopper Flip® 12 Soft Cooler
    • Hopper Flip® 18 Soft Cooler (photo)
    • Hopper® M20 Soft Cooler
    • YETI® Daytrip® 14L Bag
    • Tundra® 35 Hard Cooler

    Ideal for:
    Beach trips, picnics, or quick getaways

    Shop Hopper Flip® 18 Soft Cooler



    3. Weekend Camping & Tailgating


    Best Coolers:

    • Roadie® 48 Wheeled Hard Cooler
    • YETI® Tundra® 45 (photo)
    • Hopper® M30 Soft Cooler
    • Hopper Flip® 18 Soft Cooler

    Perfect for:
    2–4 people on a weekend trip or game-day parties

    Shop Tundra® 45 Hard Cooler

    4. Extended Camping, Hunting, & Fishing Trips


    Best Coolers:

    • YETI® Tundra® 75 (photo)
    • Tundra® 105 Hard Cooler
    • Tundra® 160 Hard Cooler

    The Tundra® 105 Hard Cooler has a smaller footprint but is deeper, to help increase volume but save precious real estate in the truck for other cargo.


    Built for:
    Long trips where maximum ice retention is crucial, like bringing home hard-earned game

    Ideal for:
    Hunting trips, offshore fishing, or multi-day camping adventures.

    Shop Tundra® 75 Hard Cooler

    FAQs about Cooler Sizes

    What’s the Best Cooler Size for a Weekend Camping Trip?

    For a 2–3 day camping trip, the YETI® Tundra® 45 or 65 is perfect. It provides enough space for food, drinks, and ice without being too bulky.

    Can I Use a Smaller Cooler with More Ice?

    Yes, but remember that over-packing with ice leaves less room for food and drinks. Stick to the 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio for best results.

    What’s the Best Cooler Size for Road Trips?

    For road trips, the YETI® Roadie® 24 is compact enough to fit in most car trunks but large enough to hold snacks and drinks for the road. The YETI® Hopper Flip® 12 Soft Cooler

    And YETI® Daytrip® 14L Bag are also great options for soft coolers.


    Final Thoughts: Find the Perfect Cooler for Your Adventure


    • Choose the right size based on trip duration, group size, and storage needs.
    • Use a 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio
    • YETI® Coolers offer superior size options, ice retention, and durability for every adventure.


    Ready to find the perfect cooler? Explore YETI®’s full range of coolers and get adventure-ready today.

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