Volume/Capacity Converter
Convert between units of volume and capacity including millilitres, litres, fluid ounces, cups, pints, quarts, and gallons. Essential for cooking, science, engineering, and various professional applications.
Convert Volume Units
Convert between different volume measurement systems:
1 L = 1000 mL • 1 US cup = 236.6 mL • 1 UK cup = 284.1 mL • 1 US gal = 3.785 L
Understanding Volume and Capacity
Volume and capacity measurements are essential in many fields. Different regions and professions use different units: metric system (liters, milliliters), US customary (cups, pints, gallons), and UK imperial systems. Understanding these differences is crucial for accurate measurements in cooking, science, medicine, and industry.
Volume Measurement Systems
🌍 Metric System
Liters (L) and milliliters (mL)
Cubic meters (m³) for large volumes
Universal scientific standard
Easy decimal conversions (1L = 1000mL)
🇺🇸 US Customary
Fluid ounces, cups, pints, quarts, gallons
Teaspoons and tablespoons for cooking
Traditional US measurements
Used in American recipes and packaging
🇬🇧 UK Imperial
Similar to US but with different sizes
UK cups, pints, gallons are larger
Traditional British measurements
Still used in some Commonwealth countries
US vs UK Volume Differences
| Measurement | US Customary | UK Imperial | Difference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluid Ounce | 29.57 mL | 28.41 mL | 4% smaller | UK fl oz is slightly smaller |
| Cup | 236.6 mL | 284.1 mL | 20% larger | UK cup holds more liquid |
| Pint | 473.2 mL | 568.3 mL | 20% larger | UK pint is larger |
| Gallon | 3.785 L | 4.546 L | 20% larger | UK gallon holds more |
Cooking Measurement Equivalents
| Ingredient | Volume | Weight (approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup (US) | 125g / 4.4oz | Spooned, not packed |
| Granulated sugar | 1 cup (US) | 200g / 7oz | White sugar |
| Brown sugar | 1 cup (US) | 220g / 7.8oz | Packed measurement |
| Butter | 1 cup (US) | 227g / 8oz | Unsalted, softened |
| Water | 1 cup (US) | 240g / 8.3oz | Weight equals volume |
| Vegetable oil | 1 cup (US) | 218g / 7.7oz | Less dense than water |
Common Cooking Conversions
🧂 Dry Ingredients
1 cup flour = 125g
1 cup sugar = 200g
1 cup butter = 227g
1 cup rice = 185g
1 cup oats = 90g
💧 Liquids
1 cup water = 240mL
1 cup milk = 240mL
1 cup oil = 218g
1 cup honey = 340g
1 cup cream = 240mL
🥄 Spoon Measurements
1 tablespoon = 15mL
1 teaspoon = 5mL
1 cup = 16 tablespoons
1 cup = 48 teaspoons
1 pint = 2 cups
Scientific and Professional Applications
🧪 Laboratory Work
Milliliters and microliters for solutions
Liters for bulk chemicals
Cubic centimeters for solids
Precise measurements critical
Calibration of equipment
💊 Pharmacy
Oral liquid medications
Intravenous solutions
Compounding formulas
Pediatric dosing
Sterile preparations
🏗️ Construction
Concrete mix ratios
Paint coverage calculations
Waterproofing volumes
Insulation material quantities
Adhesive applications
Complete Volume Conversion Table
| Unit | Symbol | Liters | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milliliter | mL | 0.001 | 1/1000 of a liter, medical and lab use |
| Liter | L | 1 | Metric base unit for volume |
| Cubic centimeter | cm³ | 0.001 | Volume of 1cm × 1cm × 1cm cube |
| Cubic meter | m³ | 1000 | Large volume measurements |
| US Teaspoon | tsp | 0.00492892 | 1/3 tablespoon, cooking measurement |
| US Tablespoon | tbsp | 0.0147868 | 3 teaspoons, cooking measurement |
| US Fluid Ounce | fl oz | 0.0295735 | Standard US liquid ounce |
| US Cup | cup | 0.236588 | 8 fluid ounces, measuring cup |
| US Pint | pt | 0.473176 | 2 cups, milk and beer containers |
| US Quart | qt | 0.946353 | 4 cups, larger liquid containers |
| US Gallon | gal | 3.78541 | 4 quarts, fuel and milk |
Measurement Tips
🧈 Baking Accuracy
Use dry measuring cups for solids
Use liquid measuring cups for liquids
Spoon flour into cup, level with knife
Pack brown sugar when measuring
Measure oils in liquid measuring cups
🔬 Laboratory Precision
Use calibrated equipment
Read measurements at eye level
Account for meniscus in liquids
Use appropriate precision for task
Document measurement conditions
🏠 Home Projects
Use consistent measurement system
Convert all measurements to same units
Account for material density
Calculate waste and overlap
Verify calculations twice
🥛 Volume Tip: Remember that US and UK measurements differ significantly. A UK cup is about 20% larger than a US cup, which can make a big difference in recipes. Always check which measurement system a recipe uses before starting.