Volume Unit Converter
Convert between different volume and capacity units including liters, gallons, cups, and more
Conversion Result
Converted to All Units
Common Volume Conversions
Metric to US Customary
- • 1 liter = 0.264172 US gallons
- • 1 liter = 4.22675 US cups
- • 1 liter = 33.814 US fluid ounces
- • 1 milliliter = 0.033814 US fluid ounces
US Customary to Metric
- • 1 US gallon = 3.78541 liters
- • 1 US cup = 236.588 milliliters
- • 1 US fluid ounce = 29.5735 milliliters
- • 1 US tablespoon = 14.7868 milliliters
US vs Imperial
- • 1 US gallon = 0.832674 imperial gallons
- • 1 imperial gallon = 1.20095 US gallons
- • 1 US fluid ounce = 1.04084 imperial fluid ounces
- • 1 imperial pint = 1.20095 US pints
Cubic Units
- • 1 cubic meter = 1,000 liters
- • 1 cubic foot = 28.3168 liters
- • 1 cubic inch = 16.3871 milliliters
- • 1 cubic yard = 764.555 liters
Understanding Volume Units
Volume measures the amount of three-dimensional space occupied by a substance or enclosed within a container. It is a derived quantity in the International System of Units (SI), with the cubic meter (m³) as the SI unit. The liter (L), equal to one cubic decimeter (dm³), is the most commonly used non-SI metric unit of volume. Volume measurement systems differ significantly between countries, with the US customary system and the British imperial system using different gallon, pint, and fluid ounce sizes.
Metric System
- Cubic Meter (m³): The SI derived unit of volume. Equal to 1,000 liters. Used in engineering, construction, and scientific applications.
- Liter (L): Equal to 1 cubic decimeter (1 dm³) or 1,000 cubic centimeters. The most widely used metric unit for everyday liquid measurements.
- Milliliter (mL): 1/1,000 of a liter, equal to 1 cubic centimeter (cm³). Used for small liquid measurements in cooking, medicine, and science.
- Microliter (µL): 1/1,000,000 of a liter. Used in laboratory science, medical testing, and microfluidics.
US Customary System
- US Gallon (gal): 231 cubic inches, approximately 3.785 liters. Used for fuel, beverages, and large liquid quantities in the United States.
- US Quart (qt): 1/4 of a US gallon (approximately 0.946 liters). Common in cooking and food packaging.
- US Pint (pt): 1/2 of a US quart (approximately 473 mL). Used for beverages and ice cream in the US.
- US Cup (cup): 1/2 of a US pint (approximately 237 mL). Standard unit in American cooking and recipes.
- US Fluid Ounce (fl oz): 1/8 of a US cup (approximately 29.6 mL). Used for liquid ingredients and beverages.
- US Tablespoon (tbsp): 1/2 of a US fluid ounce (approximately 14.8 mL). Standard cooking measurement.
- US Teaspoon (tsp): 1/3 of a US tablespoon (approximately 4.93 mL). Standard cooking measurement.
Imperial System
- Imperial Gallon (imp gal): Approximately 4.546 liters, about 20% larger than a US gallon. Used in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries.
- Imperial Quart (imp qt): 1/4 of an imperial gallon (approximately 1.137 liters).
- Imperial Pint (imp pt): 1/2 of an imperial quart (approximately 568 mL). The standard pint used in UK pubs.
- Imperial Fluid Ounce (imp fl oz): 1/20 of an imperial pint (approximately 28.4 mL). Slightly smaller than the US fluid ounce.
US Customary vs Imperial: Key Differences
Although the US customary and British imperial systems share the same unit names (gallon, pint, fluid ounce), they represent different volumes. This is a common source of confusion, especially in recipes and trade.
Gallon
- • US: 3.785 liters (231 in³)
- • Imperial: 4.546 liters
- • Difference: ~20%
- • Imperial gallon is larger
Pint
- • US: 473 mL (16 fl oz)
- • Imperial: 568 mL (20 fl oz)
- • Difference: ~20%
- • Imperial pint is larger
Fluid Ounce
- • US: 29.574 mL
- • Imperial: 28.413 mL
- • Difference: ~4%
- • US fl oz is slightly larger
Cooking Volume Measurements
In the US customary cooking system, volume units follow a structured hierarchy that makes it easier to scale recipes:
References
The conversion factors used in this calculator are based on internationally recognized standards and definitions:
Note: All conversions use exact or internationally accepted conversion factors. The liter is defined as exactly 1 cubic decimeter (dm³) or 0.001 cubic meters. US customary fluid volumes are defined by the US gallon (231 cubic inches). Imperial volumes are defined by the imperial gallon (approximately 4.54609 liters). Be aware that US and imperial units with the same name (gallon, pint, fluid ounce) represent different volumes.
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