You’re standing at the counter of a crowded In-N-Out. The tiles are white. The aprons are crisp. Your stomach is growling louder than the idling engines in the drive-thru lane. You want something big. Not just a Double-Double, but something that actually feels like a meal for a grown adult who hasn't eaten since yesterday's breakfast. You want the Quad Quad. Or, as the cashier calls it on the internal headset, the 4x4. But then you look at the menu board. It’s not there. You start sweating. What is the actual In-N-Out 4x4 price right now?
Prices aren't what they used to be. Honestly, the days of getting out of a fast-food joint for under five bucks are long gone, buried under the weight of inflation and California’s specific labor laws.
As of early 2026, the cost of an In-N-Out 4x4 typically lands somewhere between $8.45 and $9.90 for just the burger, depending heavily on which state you’re in. If you're in a high-rent district in San Francisco or a tourist trap in Las Vegas, expect to hit that upper limit. In suburban Texas or Utah, you might catch a break. But let’s be real: by the time you add a fry and a large drink to make it a meal, you’re looking at a total ticket north of $14.00.
The Secret Menu Math
In-N-Out is famous for its "Secret Menu," which isn't actually a secret. It’s just a list of things they don’t have room to print on those retro plastic signs. The 4x4 (pronounced "four-by-four") consists of four 100% USDA ground chuck beef patties and four slices of real American cheese.
Why does the price fluctuate?
It’s simple. In-N-Out doesn't franchise. Every location is company-owned, but they still have to deal with localized overhead. In April 2024, California implemented a $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers. Naturally, the price of a Double-Double jumped, and the 4x4 followed suit. If you’re ordering one in Los Angeles today, you’re paying for the beef, the cheese, the hand-leafed lettuce, and the fact that the person flipping your burger can hopefully afford their rent.
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Breaking Down the Components
Think about what you’re actually getting for that ten-dollar bill.
- Four Beef Patties: These are never frozen. That matters. Most "value" burgers at competitors use frozen pucks that have been sitting in a walk-in for weeks.
- Four Slices of Cheese: It’s high-melt American cheese. It’s salty. It’s gooey. It’s essential.
- The Bun: They use slow-rising sponge dough. It’s toasted on the griddle.
- The Spread: A recipe that hasn't changed since 1948.
If you tried to build this burger at a "gourmet" spot like Five Guys, you’d easily clear $20. Seriously. Go check their app. A standard cheeseburger there is two patties; adding two more is an upsell that feels like a punch to the wallet. In that context, the In-N-Out 4x4 price is actually a steal. It’s the king of price-to-calorie ratios in the fast-food world.
The "Animal Style" Tax
Here is where people get tripped up. You want it Animal Style? Of course you do. You want those mustard-grilled patties, extra spread, and those glorious grilled onions.
Technically, In-N-Out doesn't usually charge extra for "Animal Style" on the burger itself. They do charge for extra cheese or extra meat if you go beyond the 4x4 (though most locations will hard-cap you at 4x4 nowadays to ensure the beef actually cooks through properly). However, if you're ordering "Animal Style Fries" on the side, that’s where the bill starts to climb. Those fries will add about $4.50 to $5.25 to your total.
Why You Can't Get a 10x10 Anymore
Back in the day, you could walk in and order a 20x20. There are legendary photos from the early 2000s of people eating a literal tower of meat. One guy in 2004 famously ordered a 100x100. It cost him $97.66.
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The company shut that down.
Management realized that a 100x100 (or even a 10x10) compromises food safety and quality. The middle patties don't stay hot, the bottom bun turns into a structural failure, and it makes the kitchen look like a disaster zone. So, the 4x4 is the official limit. If you want more meat, you have to buy multiple burgers and stack them yourself. But honestly? Four patties is the limit of human dignity.
Regional Price Variations: A Quick Reality Check
- California (The Motherland): Expect to pay the premium. The 4x4 here is often $9.50+.
- Texas: Slightly cheaper. Usually around $8.75.
- Arizona/Nevada: The middle ground. Roughly $9.15.
- Oregon/Washington: High labor costs mean prices closer to California levels.
It’s worth noting that In-N-Out is incredibly transparent. Unlike some chains that hide prices behind digital kiosks or "dynamic pricing" apps, the price you see on the register is what you get. No weird service fees. No mandatory tipping prompts. Just a burger.
Is the 4x4 Actually Worth the Money?
Depends on who you ask. If you're a bodybuilder on a bulk or a teenager with a high metabolism, yes. It's a massive hit of protein.
However, from a culinary standpoint, many In-N-Out purists argue that the 4x4 is actually too much meat. The beauty of the Double-Double is the "Golden Ratio"—the perfect balance of salt, fat, acid (from the spread/tomatoes), and crunch. When you go to a 4x4, the beef and cheese overwhelm everything else. You lose the texture of the lettuce. The bun starts to struggle.
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But hey, sometimes you just want to feel like a carnivore.
How to Order Like a Pro
If you're worried about the In-N-Out 4x4 price, there are ways to tweak your order to get the most bang for your buck.
- Ask for "Extra Toast": It’s free. It gives the bun more structural integrity to hold up those four patties.
- Get "Whole Grilled Onions": Most people just get the chopped ones. Whole grilled onions are a game changer and, again, usually no extra charge.
- Chopped Chilies: If you like heat, ask for yellow cascabella peppers. They’ll chop them up and put them right in the spread.
What You Should Do Next
Before you head to the drive-thru, check your local store's recent reviews on Google Maps. Users often post photos of the physical menu boards, which is the only 100% accurate way to see the current price for that specific zip code.
Once you’re there, keep it simple. Order the 4x4, skip the combo if you’re trying to save five bucks, and just ask for a water cup. You’ll get the highest quality fast-food beef in the country for less than the price of a mediocre salad at a "fast-casual" chain. Just make sure you have plenty of napkins in the car. You're going to need them.