---
title: "Paper Soup Bowls & Cups with Lids: Sizes, Leaks | Ekoroll"
description: "How to choose paper soup bowls and soup cups with lids for takeaway: sizes from 8 to 32 oz, lid types, single or double wall, coatings and leak tests."
url: https://ekoroll.com/en/blog/paper-soup-bowls-guide
lang: en
---

[Insight](https://ekoroll.com/en/blog)5 min read

# Paper Soup Bowls and Cups with Lids: Sizes, Leaks and Soup to Go

How to choose paper soup bowls and soup cups with lids for takeaway: sizes from 8 to 32 oz, lid types, single or double wall, coatings and leak tests.

Part of the guide: [Eco-Friendly Food Packaging for Restaurants: The Complete Guide](https://ekoroll.com/en/blog/eco-friendly-packaging-for-restaurants)

 [Mahdi Sadough](https://ekoroll.com/en/about)Founder & CEO, Ekoroll Reviewed 24 October 2026

![Kraft and white paper soup bowls on a wooden café table, one filled with steaming red lentil soup and a lemon wedge, the others closed with flat paper lids, with bread and a spoon](https://ekoroll.com/media/blog/paper-soup-bowls-guide.webp)

Key takeaways

-   A paper soup bowl, or soup cup, is a round paperboard container with a liquid barrier inside and a tight lid, made to carry hot soup, stews and broths to go.
-   The most used sizes are about 8, 12 and 16 oz (240, 360 and 480 ml) for portions, with 24 and 32 oz (720 and 960 ml) for large and sharing portions.
-   Leaks come from the lid, not the bowl: choose a lid made for the bowl's rim, leave headspace, let steam escape and keep the bowl upright in delivery.
-   Paper soup bowls with a plastic lining count as single-use plastic food containers under the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, so ask for the barrier type in writing.
-   For soups that wait longer or travel far, a molded fiber (bagasse) bowl with a leak-resistant lid is the alternative to paper.

A paper soup bowl, or soup cup, is a round paperboard container with a liquid barrier inside and a tight lid, made to carry hot soup, stews and broths to go. To choose one, start from the portion — 12 oz (about 360 ml) is the usual single serving — then pick a lid made for the bowl’s rim, single or double wall for heat, and the barrier your market requires. Most leaks come from the lid and the fill level, so test the bowl and lid together with your own hot soup before ordering.

This guide covers soup cup sizes, lid types, single and double wall, coatings and EU rules, how to keep soup from leaking in delivery, and when a bagasse bowl is the better choice.

## Paper Soup Cup Sizes

| Size | Approx. ml | Typical use |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 8 oz | about 240 ml | Small cup, side soup, kids’ portion |
| 12 oz | about 360 ml | Standard single portion |
| 16 oz | about 480 ml | Large portion, soup as a main |
| 24 oz | about 720 ml | Stews, noodle soups, large portions |
| 32 oz | about 960 ml | Sharing, family portions, takeaway by the liter |

![Four plain kraft paper soup cups in increasing sizes with matching flat paper lids on a cream background](https://ekoroll.com/media/blog/paper-soup-cups-sizes-with-lids.webp)

Exact capacities vary by range. Within one range, several sizes often share a rim diameter, so one lid closes more than one size — ask which sizes each lid fits.

## Which Lid for Soup?

| Lid type | Strengths | Watch for |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Flat paper lid | Keeps the pack paper-based; stacks well | Must seal all the way round the rim |
| Vented plastic lid (PP or PET) | Lets steam escape; clear options show the soup | Plastic; counts toward single-use plastic rules |
| Molded fiber lid | Reduces plastic; rigid | Fit and moisture resistance; test with hot soup |
| Lid with a sip or spoon opening | Eat or sip on the go | Spill risk if the cup tips |

A lid only seals a cup with the same rim diameter and rim profile. Two 12 oz cups from different ranges can have different rims, so never mix cups and lids from different suppliers without testing. For fiber lids, see our [molded fiber lids](https://ekoroll.com/en/products/eco-packaging/molded-fiber-lids).

## Single Wall or Double Wall?

-   **Single wall** is the standard for soup served in a bag, a box or on a tray.
-   **Double wall** adds an insulating layer, so the outside stays comfortable to hold and the soup keeps its heat longer — useful for soup carried by hand or eaten on the street.

## Coatings and EU Rules

Paperboard alone absorbs liquid, so soup cups have a barrier inside: a **PE** or **PLA** lining, or a **water-based** coating.

1.  **Single-Use Plastics Directive (EU) 2019/904.** Food containers for food eaten from the container without further preparation are covered when they are made wholly or partly of plastic; the European Commission’s guidelines treat bio-based plastics such as PLA as plastic too. Plastic-lined soup cups fall under consumption-reduction measures and extended producer responsibility.
2.  **Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40.** Since 12 August 2026, food-contact packaging containing PFAS above set limits may not be placed on the EU market. Ask for the PFAS status of the cup and the lid in writing.
3.  **Food contact.** Ask for a declaration of compliance under Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 for the cup and the lid.

For a deeper look at barriers, see [water-based coating vs PE coating](https://ekoroll.com/en/blog/water-based-coating-paper-cups-vs-pe).

## How to Keep Soup from Leaking in Delivery

1.  **Use a matched cup and lid** from the same range.
2.  **Fill to about 80–90%** so the lid does not touch the soup.
3.  **Press the lid all the way round** the rim and check it by running a finger along the edge.
4.  **Let steam escape** for a moment before closing, or use a vented lid, so pressure does not lift the lid.
5.  **Seal it:** a tamper or seal sticker across the lid also shows the customer the soup was not opened.
6.  **Keep it upright:** use a cup holder, a carrier or a box in the delivery bag.

**Test before you order:** fill with your hottest soup, close, hold the cup upright, tilted and upside down for a few seconds, then carry it in a delivery bag for a typical trip and check the rim and the outside of the cup.

## Paper Soup Cups or Bagasse Bowls?

|  | Paper soup cup | Bagasse bowl (Ekoroll) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Material | Paperboard with a liquid barrier | 100% molded sugarcane fiber, no coating |
| Branding | Full-color logo print is easy | Plain, embossed or custom-shaped |
| Heat on the hand | Double wall available | Rigid fiber wall |
| Microwave | Depends on the coating and lid | Microwave- and freezer-safe |
| Leak resistance | Depends on the lid and rim | Anti-Leak Series with precision rim and matched lid |
| End of life | Depends on the coating and local collection | Home compostable & 100% bagasse (TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost HOME) |
| Best for | Counter service, branded takeaway, quick delivery | Soups that wait or travel longer, reheating |

For bagasse soup bowls, see our [bagasse bowls guide](https://ekoroll.com/en/blog/bagasse-bowls-guide) and the [Anti-Leak Series](https://ekoroll.com/en/products/eco-packaging/leak-proof-bagasse-containers).

## What to Ask a Supplier

-   **Capacity and rim diameter** of each cup, and which lids fit which sizes.
-   **Barrier type** (PE, PLA or water-based) and **PFAS status**, in writing.
-   **Food-contact declaration** for the cup and the lid.
-   **Single or double wall**, board type and color (kraft or white).
-   **Printing:** colors and print area on the cup and the lid.
-   **Packing:** units per sleeve and carton, carton size.
-   **Lead time and minimum order:** confirmed in the quote.
-   **Samples** of every cup and lid combination you plan to order.

## Soup Cups and Bowls from Ekoroll

Ekoroll supplies round and square [paper food pails for soups](https://ekoroll.com/en/products/eco-packaging/paper-food-pails-dessert-cups) and [kraft paper bowls with lids](https://ekoroll.com/en/products/eco-packaging/kraft-paper-bowls-with-lids) in kraft and white board, with custom print, and, for soups that travel longer, [bagasse bowls](https://ekoroll.com/en/products/eco-packaging/bagasse-bowls) and the leak-resistant [Anti-Leak Series](https://ekoroll.com/en/products/eco-packaging/leak-proof-bagasse-containers). Water-based coating is our main barrier option for paper; food-contact documentation is provided according to the final product specification. We supply food businesses and distributors in Türkiye, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with samples before the first order.

Send us your soups, portion sizes and market, and we will propose cups, lids and sizes, send samples and quote in writing. [Request a quote](https://ekoroll.com/en/contact) or browse the [catalog](https://ekoroll.com/en/catalogue).

## Products in this article

-    [**Food Pails, Ice Cream & Yogurt Cups**View product](https://ekoroll.com/en/products/eco-packaging/paper-food-pails-dessert-cups)
-    [**Paper Bowls & Lids**View product](https://ekoroll.com/en/products/eco-packaging/kraft-paper-bowls-with-lids)
-    [**Leak-Proof Bagasse Containers (Anti-Leak Series)**View product](https://ekoroll.com/en/products/eco-packaging/leak-proof-bagasse-containers)

## Sources

1.  [Directive (EU) 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment (SUP Directive)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/904/oj/eng) — EUR-Lex
2.  [Commission guidelines on single-use plastic products in accordance with Directive (EU) 2019/904, C(2021) 3762 final](https://www.miteco.gob.es/content/dam/miteco/es/calidad-y-evaluacion-ambiental/publicaciones/c20213762finalguidelines_single-use_plastics_products_tcm30-527113.pdf) — European Commission (copy published by Spain's Ministry for the Ecological Transition), 2021-05-31
3.  [Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/40/oj/eng) — EUR-Lex
4.  [Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2004/1935/oj/eng) — EUR-Lex

## Frequently asked questions

### ### What size paper soup cup do I need?

For a single portion of soup, 12 oz (about 360 ml) is the most common size; 8 oz (about 240 ml) suits a small cup or a side, and 16 oz (about 480 ml) a large portion or a soup as a main. 24 and 32 oz (about 720 and 960 ml) are used for large and sharing portions. Fill below the rim so the lid closes without touching the soup.

### ### Can paper bowls hold hot soup?

Yes, if the bowl has a liquid barrier inside, a lid made for its rim and enough headspace. Paper soup cups are lined with a PE, PLA or water-based barrier. For very hot soup carried by hand, a double-wall cup protects the hand, and for long delivery times, test the bowl and lid upright and tilted with your own soup.

### ### Which lid is best for soup to go?

A lid that is made for the bowl's rim and seals all the way round. Flat paper lids keep the pack paper-based and stack well; vented plastic lids let steam escape; molded fiber lids reduce plastic. Whatever the material, test the lid on the bowl with hot soup before you order in bulk.

### ### How do I stop soup from leaking in delivery?

Use a bowl and lid designed as a pair, fill to about 80–90% of capacity, press the lid all the way round the rim, let steam vent for a moment, add a tamper or seal sticker, and keep the bowl upright in the bag with a cup holder or a box. Test the pack with your own soup on a typical delivery trip.

### ### Are paper soup cups microwave safe?

It depends on the barrier coating and the lid. Many coated paper cups tolerate short reheating, but plastic lids should be removed and nothing with a metal part should go in a microwave. Ask the supplier for the microwave suitability of the exact cup and state it on your pack only if the supplier confirms it.

### ### Paper or bagasse for soup?

Both work. Paper soup cups are light, stack well and take full-color logo print easily, which suits counters and branded takeaway. Bagasse (molded sugarcane fiber) bowls have no coating, are rigid and, at Ekoroll, are water- and oil-resistant, microwave-safe, and home compostable & 100% bagasse (TÜV AUSTRIA OK compost HOME); with a leak-resistant lid they suit soups that wait or travel longer.

![Mahdi Sadough](https://ekoroll.com/images/mahdi-sadough.webp)

Mahdi Sadough Founder & CEO, Ekoroll

Mahdi Sadough is the founder and CEO of Ekoroll. He brings a background in branding, packaging development and product innovation to practical fiber-based packaging systems for foodservice.

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sadough/) [About Ekoroll](https://ekoroll.com/en/about)

ekoroll.com/en/blog/paper-soup-bowls-guide · sales@ekoroll.com · © 2026 Ekoroll

## Apply this to your own packaging

Share your menu, volumes and market. We will propose the right formats and send samples.

---
Source: https://ekoroll.com/en/blog/paper-soup-bowls-guide. Ekoroll — sales@ekoroll.com. Quotes and samples on request: https://ekoroll.com/en/contact