What size wok do I need?
A 13- or 14-inch flat-bottomed wok suits most home cooks, Made In says. Yosukata puts a family of four at 34 cm, about 13.5 inches; take about 12 inches for one, 14 or more for a crowd.
Sizes by household
| Cooking for | Size | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 12 in (30 cm) | A stir-fry for one (Yosukata) |
| Up to 4 people | 13 to 14 in | A family stir-fry: Yosukata's 34 cm for four; Made In's 13 to 14 inches for most home cooks |
| 5 or more people | 14 in (36 cm) or larger | Bigger batches for more than four (Yosukata) |
Woks are sold by the width across the top. The flat base is far smaller: Made In's 13-inch wok has a 5.5-inch base, and that is what sits on an electric or induction burner.
Every size we list
On this page
Measure the base, not just the rim
A wok is sold by its width across the top, but only the flat base touches an electric or induction burner. Made In's 13-inch wok has a 5.5-inch flat base. On a glass cooktop, Made In says to check that the bottom is smooth rather than textured, so it can't scratch the glass.
Pans we list, measured
Only the makers' own measurements are shown. Tap a heading to sort.
| Anolon X Hybrid Nonstick Wok with Lid, 10 in | 10 in | 10 in | Not stated | Not stated | 6.5 in | Not stated | 18.25 in | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Diamond Diamond Bond Wok with lid, 12 in | 12 in | 12 in | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 5 US qt | 5.7 lb | 15 | 10 | Included |
| Misen 12-inch Pre-Seasoned Carbon Steel Wok, with lid | 12 in | 12 in | Not stated | Not stated | 3.5 in | Not stated | 22.4 in | Not stated | 3.62 lb | Not stated | Not stated | Included |
| de Buyer Mineral B carbon steel wok, 11 in | 11 in | 11 in | Not stated | 5.4 in | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 3.1 lb | Not stated | Not stated | Not included |
| HexClad 12-inch Hybrid Wok, TerraBond | 12 in | 11.8 in | 5.5 in | Not stated | Not stated | 3.5 in | Not stated | Not stated | 3.4 lb | Not stated | Not stated | Not included |
| Lodge 14-inch Seasoned Cast Iron Wok (L14W) | 14 in | 14.31 in | Not stated | Not stated | 4.75 in | Not stated | 16.81 in | Not stated | 12.8 lb | Not stated | Not stated | Not included |
| Made In Seasoned Carbon Steel Wok, wok only | 13 in | 13.5 in | 5.5 in | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not included |
Flat cooking diameters to scale
Volume scale: 0–5 US qt. The blue fill shows three-quarters full, the level the portion columns use.
Estimate liquid portions from capacity using your own fill level, or measure a pan you already own.
Questions before you choose
Flat or round bottom?
Flat, unless you have a wok burner or a ring that holds a round wok steady. Made In says a flat-bottomed wok gives most of the benefits of a round one and works on almost every stove, including electric and induction.
How is a wok's size measured?
Across the top. Yosukata notes that shops list the upper diameter; the flat base is far smaller, so check it against your burner or induction zone.