Stainless steel hip flask capacities can vary widely—from as little as 1 ounce to as much as 64 ounces—but the most common size is 8 ounces, which holds about 5 to 6 shots of liquor. A smaller 6-ounce hip flask fits roughly 4 shots, making it a great pocket-friendly option. Larger liquor containers, like 16-ounce or even 32-ounce models, are great for extended use or group sharing, holding about a pint or nearly a liter of liquor, respectively.
If you’re trying to figure out how much that really is, keep in mind that a standard shot in the U.S. is typically 1.5 ounces. Most liquor containers are intended for short-term storage—usually 1 to 3 days—especially for spirits like whiskey or vodka with higher alcohol content (80 proof or above), which helps preserve taste and quality.
Hip flask size often comes down to how portable you want it to be and how much you plan to sip on the go.