A cooler is a great piece of outdoor equipment for everything from soccer games to camping trips. Needs vary greatly depending on your intended use. Cooler capacity is often stated in quarts. Some general guidelines to help you understand cooler capacity are: 20-quart cooler: 18 cans. 40-quart cooler: 59 cans. 60-quart cooler: 94 cans. If you're carting more than 12oz cans, you'll need to consider how much space your food and ice need. A cooler between 17-35 quarts will hold a picnic for two, snacks for three or four, or a large individual lunch. A cooler between 36-59 quarts is good for a family picnic, a weekend of drinks for one or two people, or day trip snacks for a small group. If you have a 60- to 99-quart cooler, you can stash a weekend of family camping supplies or drinks for a large tailgating event.