How Many Smarties in a Tube

There is something truly satisfying about tipping a tube of Smarties into your hand and watching the rainbow scatter. The familiar rustle of the cardboard, the bright pop of the lid, and the kaleidoscope of coloured sweets that follow make Smarties one of the most nostalgic and joyful treats in British confectionery. But whether you are sharing them, baking with them or enjoying them one by one, you might find yourself wondering exactly how many Smarties are in a tube.

The Classic Tube and What It Contains

The standard Smarties tube, which has undergone a few transformations over the years, is the most iconic packaging for the product. Once cylindrical with a plastic cap and now hexagonal with a cardboard lid, it holds a dependable number of sweets. On average, a standard 38g tube of Smarties contains around 35 to 40 pieces. The number is not exact for every tube because the Smarties are sold by weight, not by count. Since each Smartie weighs just under one gram, you can expect a rough total in that range, though a particularly chubby or flat one might change the final tally.

Why the Numbers May Vary

It is worth noting that Smarties are machine-packed by weight, so the number in each tube can vary slightly. If one tube contains slightly heavier pieces due to natural variations in shape or coating, you might find fewer of them inside. Conversely, a batch of slightly smaller Smarties might give you a few extra. This variation is completely normal and does not mean that one tube is better than another. For those who enjoy counting, opening several tubes can turn into a fun little experiment to see which one gives the best deal.

Mini Tubes, Giant Tubes and Special Editions

Smarties come in more than just the standard size. Mini Smarties tubes, often found in multi-packs or party bags, hold around 10 to 15 pieces. They are perfect for little hands or portion-controlled snacking. On the other end of the scale, giant tubes or seasonal tubes such as those released at Christmas or Easter can contain well over 100 Smarties, making them ideal for sharing or baking. These larger formats are often sold by weight too, so the number inside may not be identical across every purchase, but the joy of quantity is undeniable.

Smarties by the Numbers in Baking and Decorating

For those who love to bake, knowing how many Smarties are in a tube can be particularly useful. A single standard tube is enough to decorate a batch of fairy cakes or outline a name on a birthday cake. If you are covering a larger surface or creating a Smarties mosaic, you might need to buy several tubes and have a rough idea of how far each one will stretch. With 35 to 40 pieces per tube, it is easy to plan your colourful masterpiece.

The History of the Tube

The original Smarties tube was round and featured a distinctive plastic cap with a letter of the alphabet inside. These caps were collectable in playgrounds across the country and became a key part of Smarties lore. The shift to the current hexagonal cardboard design in the mid 2000s was part of Nestlé’s move to more environmentally friendly packaging, and although it marked the end of the plastic lids, the new shape has remained just as recognisable.

Final Thoughts

So, how many Smarties are in a tube? On average, you will find about 35 to 40 in the standard 38g tube, with mini tubes offering around a dozen and giant tubes delivering well over 100. Though the exact count may vary slightly from pack to pack, each tube brings the same colourful crunch and milky chocolate charm. Whether you are eating them one by one or pouring them straight into a cake mix, knowing what you are getting only adds to the Smarties fun.