What Do Yeti Numbers Mean?

Yeti coolers have become synonymous with high-quality, durable coolers built to last a lifetime. Their distinctive look and hardcore construction have made them popular among outdoor enthusiasts. However, unlike other cooler brands, the numbers on Yeti coolers do not directly correlate to the cooler’s quart capacity. This often leads to confusion about what the numbers on Yeti coolers actually mean.

Why Are Yeti Cooler Numbers Different?

Most major cooler brands, like RTIC or Igloo, use numbers on their coolers that match the quart capacity. For example, an RTIC 45 cooler holds 45 quarts. However, this is not the case with Yeti coolers.

The numbers on Yeti coolers are simply model numbers that identify the different sizes and product lines. They do not indicate the exact quart capacity of the cooler. A Yeti 45 is a different size than a Yeti 65, but the numbers 45 and 65 do not directly relate to capacity in quarts.

So why doesn’t Yeti use quart capacity for their model numbers? There are a few potential reasons:

Brand Recognition

Yeti likely wants to maintain brand consistency by using model numbers rather than capacities. The numbers like 20, 45, and 65 are tied to specific cooler sizes that Yeti customers recognize. Changing to capacity numbers could cause confusion for loyal Yeti fans.

Varied Capacities

The same Yeti model number can have different quart capacities depending on the specific cooler configuration. For example, a hard-sided Yeti 45 holds 37 quarts while a soft-sided Yeti 45 holds 28 quarts. Using model numbers avoids confusion over varied capacities.

Intentional Vagueness

By not revealing exact quart capacities, Yeti allows themselves to tweak cooler dimensions without having to change model numbers. Slight capacity variations between model years would go unnoticed.

Focus on Quality Over Capacity

Using model numbers reinforces that Yeti emphasizes superior construction and materials rather than simply competing on cooler capacity. It shifts the focus away from volume and onto overall quality.

How to Determine Your Yeti’s Capacity

Since Yeti model numbers aren’t exact quart capacities, how do you figure out how much your Yeti cooler actually holds? There are a few ways to determine the real capacity:

Check Yeti’s Website

Yeti provides complete cooler specs and capacities for each model on their website. Locate your specific cooler and the product details will include the quart capacity. Their site also has helpful comparison charts if you’re deciding between different models.

Look for a Capacity Tag

Some Yeti coolers will have a plastic or metal tag on the inside that states the capacity. This is especially common on soft-sided Hopper models. Check inside near the top rim for a tag listing the quart capacity if your model has one.

Consult Other Resources

Several independent websites compile detailed dimensions and capacities for all Yeti models. These can provide a useful reference if you need exact quart volumes. Just search “[Yeti model] quart capacity” to find reliable third-party sources.

Measure It Yourself

If your cooler doesn’t have an internal tag and you can’t find the capacity online, you can always measure it out yourself:

Fill the empty cooler with water using a measuring cup that shows fluid ounces. A 2-cup (16 oz) measuring cup is ideal.
Mark the water level inside with a piece of tape once full.
Drain the water and measure how much you added in total ounces.
Convert ounces to quarts (1 quart = 32 ounces).

This will give you an accurate measurement of your cooler’s internal storage.

Why Exact Capacity Matters

Knowing your Yeti’s precise quart capacity helps ensure you purchase the right sized cooler for your needs. A few key reasons capacity matters:

Space planning – Measure how much your essentials take up before buying. A 65 quart cooler may be overkill for solo weekend trips.
Maximize cold retention – You want your cooler full but not jam packed. The right capacity means good cold retention without wasted space.
Determine ice needs – Ice takes up volume too. Knowing total capacity lets you calculate how much ice to add.
Compare models – Capacities help compare across Hard Cooler, Hopper, Wheeled, and Drinkware lines.
Plan meals and drinks – Quart capacity helps meal plan/stock drinks for trips based on cooler space.

While it takes a bit more effort to find, knowing your Yeti’s true quart capacity ensures you get the most out of your high-performance cooler. It’s worth the extra research.

How Much Do Popular Yeti Models Actually Hold?

To give you a better sense of real-world capacities, here is what some bestselling Yeti models truly hold:

Hard Coolers

Yeti Roadie 20 – 14 quarts
Yeti Tundra 35 – 26 quarts
Yeti Tundra 45 – 37 quarts
Yeti Tundra 65 – 57 quarts
Yeti Tundra Haul – 45 quarts
Yeti Tundra 105 – 96 quarts
Yeti Tundra 110 – 83 quarts
Yeti Tundra 125 – 76 quarts
Yeti Tundra 160 – 139 quarts
Yeti Tundra 210 – 183 quarts
Yeti Tundra 250 – 224 quarts
Yeti Tundra 350 – 307 quarts

Soft Coolers

Yeti Hopper Flip 12 – 7 quarts
Yeti Hopper Flip 18 – 13 quarts
Yeti Hopper M30 – 21 quarts
Yeti Hopper Two 20 – 17 quarts
Yeti Hopper Two 30 – 25 quarts
Yeti Hopper Two 40 – 32 quarts
Yeti Hopper BackFlip 24 – 19 quarts
Yeti SideKick Dry – 7 quarts

Wheeled Coolers

Yeti Roadie 24 – 19 quarts
Yeti Roadie 48 – 39 quarts
Yeti Tundra Haul 45 – 45 quarts
Yeti Tundra Haul 65 – 57 quarts
Yeti Tundra Haul Wheeled Cooler 35 – 26 quarts
Yeti Tundra Haul Wheeled Cooler 55 – 47 quarts
Yeti Tundra Haul Wheeled Cooler 105 – 96 quarts

This should give you a better sense of the real quart capacity based on the Yeti model number. As you can see, the numbers are not an exact match to the actual volume.

How Does Yeti Capacity Compare to Other Brands?

So if Yeti model numbers aren’t true capacities, how does their storage volume stack up against other top cooler companies? Here’s an overview:

RTIC

RTIC uses the number to match quarts, so an RTIC 45 holds 45 quarts. Comparable Yeti models like the Tundra 45 (37 quarts) or Tundra Haul (45 quarts) are slightly smaller.

Orca

Orca 40 matches a Yeti Tundra 45 at 37 quarts, while the Orca 58 (56 quarts) compares to the Yeti 65 (57 quarts). Orca capacities align more directly with Yeti’s real volumes.

Pelican

A Pelican 45 quart is notably larger at 53 quarts versus a Yeti 45‘s 37 quarts. But the Pelican 35 (39 quarts) is closer to the Yeti 35 (26 quarts). Pelican runs larger overall.

Igloo

Igloo quart numbers are accurate like RTIC, so an Igloo 60 quart holds 60 quarts. The equivalent Yeti 65 is several quarts smaller despite its higher number.

While you’ll find slight variations across brands, Yeti capacities are generally very competitive – the numbers just don’t reflect it. Focus on real volumes when comparing.

Key Takeaways on Yeti Cooler Capacities

To recap, the main points to remember about Yeti cooler numbers:

They are model numbers, not quart capacities
You need to consult Yeti specs to find the actual volumes
Different configurations affect capacity for the same model
Numbers allow flexibility for Yeti to alter dimensions
Focus stays on overall quality over max capacity
Checking true quarts helps properly size and optimize your cooler

Once you know your Yeti’s real capacity in quarts, you can make sure you purchase the right size model for your needs and maximize its performance. While the numbering system may be unconventional, Yeti still delivers outstanding and innovative coolers.

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