Liquid Measurement Conversion - Cups, Ounces, Liters & More
Convert between all liquid measurements instantly. From teaspoons to gallons, cups to milliliters—complete conversion calculator with charts for cooking, baking, and beverage recipes.
Comprehensive Liquid Converter
Quick Select:
Essential Liquid Conversions
US Measurements:
- • 1 cup = 8 fl oz = 16 tbsp
- • 1 pint = 2 cups = 16 fl oz
- • 1 quart = 4 cups = 32 fl oz
- • 1 gallon = 4 quarts = 16 cups
Metric Conversions:
- • 1 cup = 237 ml
- • 1 liter = 4.23 cups
- • 1 fl oz = 29.57 ml
- • 1 tbsp = 15 ml
Chef Steven Harty
Professional Chef
30+ years experience
30+ years professional experience, trained under Rick Bayless. Specializes in precision cooking.
Education
Culinary Training under Chef Rick Bayless
Complete Liquid Conversion Chart
| Unit | Teaspoons | Tablespoons | Fluid Ounces | Cups | Milliliters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Teaspoon | 1 | 0.33 | 0.17 | 0.02 | 4.93 |
| 1 Tablespoon | 3 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.06 | 14.79 |
| 1 Fluid Ounce | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0.13 | 29.57 |
| 1/4 Cup | 12 | 4 | 2 | 0.25 | 59 |
| 1/3 Cup | 16 | 5.33 | 2.67 | 0.33 | 79 |
| 1/2 Cup | 24 | 8 | 4 | 0.5 | 118 |
| 1 Cup | 48 | 16 | 8 | 1 | 237 |
| 1 Pint | 96 | 32 | 16 | 2 | 473 |
| 1 Quart | 192 | 64 | 32 | 4 | 946 |
| 1 Gallon | 768 | 256 | 128 | 16 | 3785 |
| 1 Liter | 203 | 67.6 | 33.8 | 4.23 | 1000 |
US Liquid Measurement System
Small Volumes
- 1 teaspoon (tsp)5 ml
- 1 tablespoon (tbsp)15 ml
- 1 fluid ounce (fl oz)30 ml
- 1/4 cup2 fl oz = 4 tbsp
Large Volumes
- 1 cup8 fl oz = 237 ml
- 1 pint (pt)2 cups = 473 ml
- 1 quart (qt)4 cups = 946 ml
- 1 gallon (gal)16 cups = 3.79 L
Memory Aid: The Gallon Man
G (Gallon) contains 4 Q (Quarts)
Each Q (Quart) contains 2 P (Pints)
Each P (Pint) contains 2 C (Cups)
Formula: 1 Gallon = 4 Quarts = 8 Pints = 16 Cups = 128 Fluid Ounces
Metric to US Conversions
| Metric | US Equivalent | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 5 ml | 1 tsp | Vanilla extract, spices |
| 15 ml | 1 tbsp | Oil, butter, sauces |
| 30 ml | 1 fl oz (2 tbsp) | Liquor shots, syrups |
| 60 ml | 1/4 cup (4 tbsp) | Small liquid amounts |
| 80 ml | 1/3 cup | Cooking liquids |
| 120 ml | 1/2 cup | Liquids in recipes |
| 240 ml | 1 cup (8 fl oz) | Milk, water, broth |
| 500 ml | 2.1 cups (17 fl oz) | Bottled beverages |
| 1 liter | 4.23 cups (33.8 fl oz) | Bottled water, soda |
| 2 liters | 8.45 cups (67.6 fl oz) | Soda bottles, juice |
Accurate Liquid Measuring Tips
Proper Technique
- 1.Use liquid measuring cups: Clear cups with spouts and measurement lines. Don't use dry measuring cups for liquids.
- 2.Place on level surface: Set cup on counter (not holding it) for accurate reading.
- 3.Check at eye level: Bend down so measurement line is at eye level. Viewing from above/below causes errors.
- 4.Read the meniscus: Liquid forms slight curve. Read at the bottom of the curve for accuracy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Don't use dry cups for liquids: They're not calibrated for liquid surface tension and lack spouts.
- ✗Don't measure while holding: Hand movement causes inaccuracy. Always measure on counter.
- ✗Don't eyeball from above: Parallax error makes liquid appear higher than it is.
- ✗Don't overfill spoons: Surface tension holds liquid in slight dome on spoons—don't overflow.
Common Recipe Liquid Measurements
| Recipe Type | Typical Liquid Amount | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee (1 serving) | 6 fl oz (3/4 cup) | 180 ml |
| Tea (1 serving) | 8 fl oz (1 cup) | 240 ml |
| Soup (1 bowl) | 12 fl oz (1.5 cups) | 355 ml |
| Smoothie | 16 fl oz (2 cups) | 473 ml |
| Cake batter (liquid) | 1-2 cups | 240-480 ml |
| Bread dough (water) | 1.5 cups | 355 ml |
| Salad dressing | 1/2-3/4 cup | 120-180 ml |
| Marinade | 1/2-1 cup | 120-240 ml |
| Pasta cooking water | 4-6 quarts | 3.8-5.7 L |
| Rice cooking water | 2 cups water : 1 cup rice | 2:1 ratio |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cups are in a gallon?
1 gallon = 16 cups. This is based on the US gallon measurement. To remember: 1 gallon = 4 quarts, 1 quart = 4 cups, so 4 × 4 = 16 cups. In metric, 1 US gallon = 3.785 liters.
How many ounces are in a cup?
1 cup = 8 fluid ounces (fl oz). This applies to liquid measurements only. Note that fluid ounces measure volume, while weight ounces measure mass—they're different units. 1 cup of water weighs approximately 8 oz, but 1 cup of flour weighs only 4-5 oz.
How many milliliters in a cup?
1 cup = 236.59 ml (officially), but most recipes round to 240 ml for simplicity. International recipes often use 250 ml as "1 cup" (metric cup). The difference is minor (4%) and won't significantly affect most recipes.
Is a liquid cup the same as a dry cup?
Volume is the same (both 8 fl oz), but measuring tools differ. Liquid measuring cups are clear with a spout and measurement lines below the rim. Dry measuring cups are opaque and filled to the brim, then leveled. Always use the correct type for accuracy—using the wrong one can cause 10-20% measurement errors.
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
1 cup = 16 tablespoons. Since 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons, 1 cup also equals 48 teaspoons. This conversion is useful when scaling recipes or when you don't have a measuring cup available.
How do I measure less than 1/4 cup of liquid?
Use tablespoons or a small liquid measuring cup. 1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons, so amounts less than 1/4 cup are easier measured in tablespoons. For example: 3 tbsp, 2 tbsp, 1 tbsp. Many liquid measuring cup sets include a 1/4 cup (2 oz) size for small amounts.
What's the difference between US and UK measurements?
US and UK fluid ounces differ significantly. 1 US fluid ounce = 29.57 ml, while 1 UK (Imperial) fluid ounce = 28.41 ml. More importantly, 1 US cup = 8 US fl oz, but UK recipes typically use metric (ml) or Imperial pints (20 UK fl oz). Always check recipe origin and use appropriate conversions.
Can I use a kitchen scale to measure liquids?
Yes, for water-based liquids. 1 ml of water weighs 1 gram, so measuring cups of water by weight is accurate (240 ml = 240g). However, oils, honey, and syrups have different densities. Oil: 1 cup ≈ 220g. Honey: 1 cup ≈ 340g. For precision baking, weighing liquids in grams is more accurate than volume measurements.
How many cups in a liter of water?
1 liter = 4.23 cups (approximately 4 1/4 cups). To convert liters to cups, multiply by 4.23. To convert cups to liters, divide by 4.23. For quick mental math, remember that 4 cups is slightly less than 1 liter (4 cups = 946 ml ≈ 0.95 L).
Why do European recipes use weight for liquids?
Weight (grams) is more accurate and consistent than volume. Temperature and measurement technique affect volume readings. Weighing eliminates these variables. Most European recipes give both volume (ml/L) and weight (g) for liquids. A kitchen scale provides precision within ±1g, while measuring cups can vary by ±5-10% depending on technique.
Chef Steven Harty
Professional Chef | 30+ Years Experience
Chef Harty brings over 30 years of professional culinary experience, having trained under renowned chef Rick Bayless. He specializes in precision cooking and measurement accuracy, ensuring all our cooking conversions and ingredient calculations are tested and verified in real kitchen conditions.
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