The Candies in a Jar calculator computes the number of candies in a jar, bowl or other container (estimated).   This is useful in the "Count the Candies" contest seen around the world.  It uses the volume density of the candies and the calculated estimate volume of different shape of containers to provide a good estimate of the number of candies in the container.  See YouTube video instructions HERE. 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Container Shape: Identify the shape of the container and click on the calculator button that corresponds to that shape. Note: Cylindrical containers are the most common.
2. Container Size: Enter your best estimate for the dimensions of the candies in container.  Note: people are much better a estimating one dimension (height, length, width) than volume, so give it a shot.
3. Type of Candy: Based on the computed volume, the calculators will tell you how many jelly beans (mini, regular and jumbo), M&Ms (regular and peanut), gum balls, candy corn and candy pumpkins will approximately fill that volume.

How many Candies: The calculator returns an estimate on the number of candies in the container.

For more information on Jelly Beans, click HERE for a fun article from The Celebrity Cafe. 

What is the shape of the candy container?  This calculator uses five container shapes and gives you a formula based on each of the shapes. Good luck!  If you win, give vCalc a shout out on social media and give a bit of your winnings to charity.

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Candies in a Container Calculators

The following calculators let you enter the dimensions of the container and return the number of candies for a list of different types of candies including: mini Jelly Bean, Jelly Beans, Jumbo sized Jelly Beans, M&Ms, Peanut M&Ms, Gum Balls, candy corn, pumpkin candies, Skittles, Tootsie Roll Midgees.

Candy Bowl Shape Calculators

• Candies in a Jar
• Candies in a Rectangular Container
• Candies in Spherical Container
• Candies in Tapered Rectangular Container
• Candies in Tapered Round Bowl
• Candies in Mason Jar
• Candies in Curved Bowl
• Candies in Irregular Container

Specific Candies

• Mini Jelly Beans in a Jar - Jelly Bellies are mini jelly beans.
• Jumbo Jelly Beans in a Jar
• M&M's in a Jar
• Peanut M&M's in a Jar
• Gum Balls in a Jar
• Jumbo Jelly Beans per Gallon
• M&M's per Gallon
• Peanut M&M's per Gallon
• Gum Balls per Gallon
• Candies in a Mason Jar
• Jelly Beans in a Mason Jar
• Mini Jelly Beans in a Mason Jar - Jelly Bellies are mini jelly beans.
• Jumbo Jelly Beans in a Mason Jar
• M&M's in a Mason Jar
• Peanut M&M's in a Mason Jar
• Gum Balls in a Mason Jar

The Math / Science

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Density of Candy

The math behind Candies in Container calculators is pretty straight forward.  We use basic Euclidean (3D) geometry to compute the volume of the containers based on their shapes. Once we know the volume, we are able to make reasonable estimates based on an average number of candies in a known volume.  We (Issac and Poppy) bought large bags of the different types of candies and our candy expert (see picture) measured them in kitchen measuring bowls.  Then we counted the number of candies and did the math to get the estimated number of candies in a gallon container.  Here the results.

The Candies in a Container calculator uses the following densities of candies:   

• Mini Jelly Beans: 3,500 mini Jelly Bean candies in a gallon.
• Jelly Beans:  930 Jelly Beans in a gallon
• Jumbo Jelly Beans: 736 Jumbo sized Jelly Beans in a gallon
• M&Ms:  3991 plain M&Ms in a gallon.
• Peanut M&Ms: 1248 Peanut M&Ms in a gallon
• Gum Balls: 1264 Gum Balls in a gallon.
• Candy Corn: 1524 kernels of candy corn in a gallon
• Candy Pumpkins: 378 pumpkin candies in a gallon
• Skittles: 3600 Skittles in a gallon
• Tootsie Roll Midgees: 296 Tootsie Roll Midgees in a gallon

These are only an estimates, because the candy manufactures may vary the sizes of the candies, but this is a decent estimate of the average size of the different candies and your guess, using these calculators, will be much less of a guess.