The 440ml aluminum can is the standard large single-serve size for UK and European craft beer. It measures 149.9 mm ± 0.20 mm in height and 66.04 mm in body diameter, uses a 202 neck, and is drawn from 3104-H19 alloy. Typical ratings are ≥ 6.2 bar (90 psi) internal pressure and ≥ 850 N axial top load.
1. Why 440ml Is the UK and European Brewery Standard
The 440ml aluminum beverage can is the default can size for craft beer, IPA and stout in the UK, Ireland and much of Europe. It sits between the 330ml and 500ml formats: large enough to stand out as a single serve, small enough to keep material cost and pallet weight under control.
UK supermarkets and independent bottle shops have normalized the 440ml can for premium and limited-release beers. The format signals a craft positioning while still fitting standard six-pack rings and 12-pack trays. For European craft brewers exporting to the UK, matching this size is often a retail-listing requirement rather than a choice.
We draw these cans from 3104-H19 alloy. The 66.04 mm diameter and 202 neck are shared with 330ml and 500ml Standard cans, so breweries can run multiple formats on the same line with only height and seamer adjustments.
2. 440ml Standard Can Specifications
These are the dimensions and ratings we verify for export 440ml Standard cans. Use them to compare suppliers or plan filling line changeover.
| Parameter | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal Fluid Volume | 440 ml | Overflow Capacity: 448 ml ± 4 ml |
| Total Finished Height | 149.90 mm | ± 0.20 mm (Strict Vertical Tolerance) |
| Outside Body Diameter | 66.04 mm | ± 0.05 mm (High-Formability 3104-H19 Alloy) |
| Top Neck Profile Diameter | 52.30 mm | Standard 202 Neck Configuration |
| Finished Flange Width | 2.38 mm | ± 0.25 mm (Optimized for Double Seaming) |
| Mid-Wall Gauge Thickness | 0.097 mm - 0.102 mm | Ultra-thinned D&I precision metrics |
| Axial Load Strength Peak | ≥ 850 N | Prevents vertical deformation during pallet stacking |
| Hydrostatic Internal Pressure Limit | ≥ 6.2 bar (90 psi) | Suitable for carbonated beer, cider and RTD |
3. 440ml vs 500ml Standard: Which Format Fits Your Brewery?
Breweries often ask whether to import 440ml or 500ml Standard cans. Both use the same 66.04 mm body diameter and 202 neck, but the 440ml format is 18.1 mm shorter. That difference shapes logistics, retail positioning, and unit economics.
| Factor | 440ml Standard | 500ml Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Finished height | 149.90 mm | 168.00 mm |
| Retail positioning | Craft/premium single serve | Mainstream large single serve |
| Common markets | UK, Ireland, Northern Europe | Continental Europe, Russia, Africa |
| Pallet cube efficiency | Higher (shorter can) | Lower (more air per layer) |
| Line changeover from 330ml | Minor height adjustment | Larger height adjustment |
| Typical end type | 202 CDL or B64 | 202 CDL or B64 |
If your target market is the UK or you want a premium craft format, 440ml is the safer choice. If you are selling into continental Europe or value-focused channels, 500ml may give you better cost per milliliter.
4. End Options for 440ml Cans: B64, CDL, SOT, RPT
The 202 neck on a 440ml can accepts several end profiles. The right choice depends on your beverage, market, and seamer setup:
- 202 B64: a shallow countersink profile common in North America and parts of Asia. Works well for carbonated soft drinks and beer. Check that your seamer chuck matches the B64 profile.
- 202 CDL: a deeper countersink designed for higher pressure ratings. Preferred by many European craft brewers for IPA, stout, and highly carbonated beers.
- 202 SOT (Stay-On-Tab): required in many EU and UK markets because the tab stays attached. Meets anti-littering and deposit-return scheme rules.
- 202 RPT (Ring Pull Tab): removable tab still accepted in some Asian, African, and Middle Eastern markets. Not recommended where SOT regulations apply.
We supply all four profiles and can mix end types within the same container if you need multiple SKUs for different markets.
5. Seamer Chuck and 202 Neck Compatibility
The 440ml Standard can uses a 202 neck with a 2.38 mm flange. Because the 66.04 mm body diameter is shared with 330ml and 500ml Standard cans, the same conveyor rails and starwheels usually work across all three sizes. Only filler height and seamer head clearance need adjustment.
Body 66.04 mm + 202 neck 52.30 mm → use conical seamer chuck matched to 202 flange
Wrong chuck profile → flange wrinkling, seam leaks
Correct chuck → consistent double seam
The seamer chuck must match the 202 neck geometry. A chuck built for a 211 or 209 end will not seat the 2.38 mm flange evenly, leading to wrinkles or leaks in the double seam.
4. Internal Coating Options
Beer, cider and acidic RTDs need a reliable internal barrier. A thin spot or pinhole in the liner lets product reach the metal, which can cause corrosion, off-flavors or leaks.
We select the liner based on your destination market and beverage chemistry. The two standard tracks are:
5. Beverages That Use the 440ml Can
Besides UK craft beer, the 440ml Standard format works for:
- Craft cider and perry: the 6.2 bar rating covers natural carbonation, and the alloy resists acidic products.
- Ready-to-drink cocktails: 440ml is a generous single-serve volume, and the 202 neck takes SOT or CDL ends.
- Flavored alcoholic beverages: a proper internal liner stops citrus and berry extracts from scalping flavor.
- Functional and energy drinks: the 850 N axial load supports stable pallet stacking for export.
6. Palletization and 40HQ Container Loading
A standard 440ml can export shipment is packed in tray-and-shrink bundles, then stacked on 1,120 mm × 1,420 mm wooden pallets. A typical pallet holds 6,048 cans in 7-layer stacks, with layer pads between tiers to prevent scuffing. One 40HQ container loads roughly 20 pallets, or about 120,000 cans, depending on final carton dimensions.
Because the 440ml can is shorter than the 500ml, you can often add one extra layer per pallet or reduce the total container height without losing piece count. For breweries that pay freight by container rather than by can, that can lower landed cost per unit compared to taller formats.
We run container-loading simulations before dispatch and provide a loading diagram with pallet IDs, gross weight, and carton dimensions. This helps your warehouse plan forklift access and reduces unloading time at the port.
7. Container Loading and Ocean Freight
Because 440ml Standard cans share the 66.04 mm body diameter with 330ml and 500ml Standard formats, they use the same pallet footprints and carton sizes common in European canning supply chains. That simplifies container loading and warehouse handling.
We provide container-loading simulations for 40HQ shipments, including pallet counts, layer-pad layouts and loading diagrams, so you can plan receiving and depalletizing before the container arrives.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of a 440ml aluminum can?
A 440ml Standard can is 149.9 mm tall and 66.04 mm in body diameter, with a 202 neck and 2.38 mm flange rim.
Can a 440ml can use the same line parts as a 500ml can?
Yes. Both share the 66.04 mm body diameter and 202 neck, so conveyor rails and starwheels are usually the same. Filler valve height and seamer head clearance must be adjusted for the taller 500ml can.
What end size fits a 440ml Standard can?
Any 202 end: SOT, RPT, CDL or B64. Match the end profile to your market and seamer chuck.
Should I choose 440ml or 500ml for the European market?
Choose 440ml if your primary market is the UK, Ireland, or craft-focused European retailers. Choose 500ml if you are selling into continental Europe, Russia, or value-focused channels where consumers expect a larger single serve.
How many 440ml cans fit in a 40HQ container?
A typical 40HQ shipment loads about 120,000 cans on 20 pallets, depending on carton size and pallet configuration. We provide a loading diagram with your quote so you can confirm receiving and warehouse plans.
9. How to Source 440ml Cans
If you are switching to 440ml cans or setting up a new UK/European line, start with a sample kit. Your line engineer can check flange fit, seamer chuck geometry and filler valve clearance before you place a bulk order.
Send us your target volume, end type and coating requirement. We will put together a testing layout of 202 ends and 440ml bodies for your line trial.
Need 440ml Can Samples?
Request a 440ml Standard can sample kit with dimensional report and coating certifications for your brewery or co-packer.
Request Samples →