This guide is for anyone roasting a whole turkey this season who wants to know whether the pan they own is big enough, or what size to buy.
A roasting pan has to fit three things: your turkey, the rack that holds it, and your oven. Pan dimensions alone don’t guarantee a good fit, especially when the handles add width or the bird sits high on the rack.
The quick answer
For a turkey of 16 to 20 pounds, the Williams Sonoma roaster chart lists a 16 × 13 × 3-inch pan. For a bird over 20 pounds, it lists 18 × 13 × 3 inches.1 Treat these as starting points, not a promise of fit. Check the usable inside of the pan, the rack height, the handles and your oven clearance.
Turkey roasting pan size chart
These sizes come from the roaster chart in the Williams Sonoma Thanksgiving Workbook.1 They are one retailer’s reference sizes, not an industry standard. Bird shapes and pan designs vary.
| Turkey weight | Reference pan size | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 10–12 lb | 14 × 10 × 2¾ in (small) | The bird and rack fit inside the usable interior |
| 12–16 lb | 15¾ × 12 × 3 in (medium) | Interior width, sturdy handles, oven clearance |
| 16–20 lb | 16 × 13 × 3 in (large) | Bird shape and height above the rack |
| Over 20 lb | 18 × 13 × 3 in (extra-large) | Your oven’s width and depth, including handles |
Sizes in inches (length × width × height), as listed by Williams Sonoma.
Three measurements to check before buying
Many product listings give only the outside dimensions. Before you order, check which measurements the seller actually lists and whether they include the handles.
- Inside the pan. Check the usable floor and the distance between the walls. The turkey shouldn’t press against the sides.
- Across the handles. Compare the full width, handles included, with the inside of your oven.
- With the rack in place. Add the bird’s height above the rack and make sure it clears the top of the oven.
Which type of pan should you choose?
Start with what you already own. A new pan makes sense only if yours is too small for the bird or doesn’t suit the way you cook.
| Option | Why consider it | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy metal roaster | Useful all year, and some can go on the stovetop for gravy. | The oven limit, cleaning instructions and stovetop compatibility of that exact model. |
| Roaster with rack | The rack lifts the bird and makes the setup easier to handle. | Whether the rack is included, its size and how much weight it holds. |
| Disposable foil pan | Fine for occasional use. | Foil pans flex. Our advice: set it on a sturdy baking sheet before it goes in the oven, and lift with both hands. |
| Electric roaster oven | A separate appliance to consider when oven space is tight. | The maker’s rated capacity and instructions. Don’t expect the same results as an oven. |
Easy to miss: “stainless steel” doesn’t automatically mean a pan works on an induction cooktop. If you plan to make gravy on induction, check that the exact model is rated for it.
Williams Sonoma lists a roasting rack on its Thanksgiving kitchen equipment checklist.1 If you already have a rack that fits your pan, you don’t need a new one.
Food safety: check the temperature, not the clock
FoodSafety.gov says a whole turkey is safe at a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Check it with a food thermometer in the innermost part of the thigh, the innermost part of the wing and the thickest part of the breast.2
Its turkey chart assumes a 325°F oven. For an unstuffed bird, it lists 3¾ to 4¼ hours for 14 to 18 pounds and 4¼ to 4½ hours for 18 to 20 pounds.2 Use those times to plan, and the thermometer to decide when it’s done.
Before you order
- Know your turkey’s weight.
- Compare the inside dimensions of the pan, not just the outside.
- Measure your oven’s width and depth, handles included.
- Account for the rack and the bird’s height.
- Read the maker’s specifications for that exact model.
- Check whether a pan you already own will do the job.
Sources & method
How we researched this
- This is a research-based guide, not a hands-on product test.
- Every measurement and safety figure is attributed to the source it comes from. Where we give our own advice, we say so.
- We don’t rank or recommend specific products in this guide.
Sources
- Thanksgiving Workbook (2020), “Choose the right roaster”, Williams Sonoma. Accessed Nov 9, 2026.
- Meat and Poultry Roasting Charts: Turkey roasting time by size, FoodSafety.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). Accessed Nov 9, 2026.
Review history
- Published Nov 9, 2026.