Container measurements: Fluid Ounces vs. Net Weight Ounces
Say you’re shopping for a new car, but not just any car; you’re after a Ford. Fords have a sleek and cool style, something that you believe you embody yourself. The salesperson knows just what you’re talking about. Moments later, the car-shopping vibe fizzles as a 1984 Fiesta sputters to a stop in front of you. Hey, it’s a Ford, isn’t it? The details got lost in translation. Don’t make the same mistake with your product’s volume and/or weight declarations.
Meet Frank and Natasha. Frank and Natasha are both health nuts, but in different ways. Frank is all about hydration, sure to drink the daily recommended amount of water each and every day. Natasha focuses on weighing her foods. So many ounces of fruits and grains a day keep the doctor away. Frank and Natasha’s dedication to health exemplifies the different ways a container of goods can be measured. Frank drinks water everyday based on volume and capacity levels measured through fluid ounces (FL. OZ.). Natasha uses net weight ounces (NET WT. OZ.) to figure the weight of her goods.
Fluid Ounces: Measuring volume of a container. Water is a life saving fluid. We’re advised to travel with water and have it stocked up in our houses for emergency situations. A 32 oz. container of water is measured in fluid ounces. That measurement refers to the volume capacity of the container, as in the container can store up to 32 oz of fluid.
Weigh down a net weight ounce container . Sugar, flour, honey, salt and… babies are all measured in net weight ounces, based on the weight of an item. When I hear that a newborn was delivered at 6 lbs. 8 oz, I’m aware that this measurement is based on net weight calculations. Otherwise I might throw thirteen cups of baking ingredients together, bake at 350F for 9 minutes and hope to welcome my own pastry child into the world… maybe a gingerbread boy. Not only is this slightly disturbing, but more importantly, the formula is faulty. Also, don’t get gross weight and net weight confused. The gross weight of your bag of flour would mean you throw the entire thing on a scale and take that number. The net weight of your bag of flour means you subtract the weight of the bag. You don’t eat the bag.
The Chocolate Chip Equation: Why fluid and net weight ounces aren’t interchangeable. Imagine that a new 6 lb. 8 oz. (measured in net weight ounces) baby is born into your family. You’re so excited over the birth that you decide to celebrate by baking a 6 lb. 8 oz. (using 13 cups of ingredients) chocolate chip cookie baby. Take a look at the equation below.
The numbers may match (104 FL. OZ., 104 NET WT. OZ.), but the formula is wrong. Net weight measures weight, correct? If fluid ounce measurements are concerned with volume how can they contribute to the overall weight of your sweet snack? You see the predicament? Fluid ounces and net weight ounces are not interchangeable. 104 FL. OZ. of flour isn’t guaranteed to weigh or have the same volume as 104 NET WT. OZ.
I know, it’s a lot of ounces lingo to absorb in one sitting. Keep all the info straight by remembering “F” (Floyd, Fred and Frank) stands for fluid ounces and only measures volume. “N” (Natalie, Naomi and Natasha) stands for net weight ounces, which only measure weight. There’s no overlap, fluid ounces are to volume as net weight ounces are to weight. Save your customers the hassle by declaring your product’s volume and/or weight on the container.
Do you have a volume/weight declaration on your container? Tell us in the comments!
It’s important to include a volume/weight declaration on a product’s container. Check out Kayla Holman’s article on container measurements.