Volume Converter
Convert between liters, milliliters, cubic meters, US gallons, quarts, cups, fluid ounces, tablespoons and teaspoons with exact US customary factors.
Results
Result
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Educational estimates · not financial advice · free, no signup
Formula / how it works
Converts through liters. 1 US gallon = 3.785411784 L; 1 US quart = 0.946352946 L; 1 US cup ≈ 236.588 mL; 1 US fl oz ≈ 29.5735 mL; 1 tbsp ≈ 14.7868 mL; 1 tsp ≈ 4.9289 mL; 1 m³ = 1,000 L.
Read the guide: Unit Conversion Pitfalls: Metric, Imperial and Common Mistakes
Detailed guide
What it is, how to use it, how to read the numbers, common mistakes, a worked example, formulas, and FAQs.
What this calculator is
Volume units are one of the most confusing parts of everyday measurement because the metric and customary systems are both in daily use, and customary units share names with larger imperial units. This converter changes a value between liters, milliliters, cubic meters and the US customary measures: gallon, quart, cup, fluid ounce, tablespoon and teaspoon. Cooks use it to scale recipes, travellers to understand fuel and drink sizes, and students and DIYers to switch between systems. The tool uses US customary definitions. The imperial gallon (4.546 L) and imperial pint are different sizes and are not included, so check the origin of a recipe or document before converting.
When to use / who it helps
- A recipe lists cups and tablespoons and you want milliliters.
- You are converting fuel, water or paint volumes between gallons and liters.
- You are reading a spec in cubic meters and need liters.
- You are scaling a recipe up or down and want equivalent measures.
- You are studying unit conversion and want to verify factors.
How to use
Steps
- Enter the quantity you want to convert.
- Choose the unit you start with in the From menu.
- Choose the unit you want in the To menu.
- Read the result, shown with enough digits for most uses.
- Reverse From and To to check the round trip.
- For imperial units, convert through liters using the imperial definitions instead.
How to interpret results
- The result is exact to the factors listed, rounded for display.
- A US gallon is 128 US fluid ounces, 16 cups or 4 quarts.
- A US cup is about 236.6 mL, slightly smaller than the 250 mL metric cup used in some countries.
- Fluid ounces measure volume, not weight; an ounce of water weighs about an ounce but other liquids differ.
- Cubic meters are large; one cubic meter holds 1,000 liters.
Common mistakes & gotchas
- Using US factors for an imperial (UK) recipe or fuel figure.
- Confusing fluid ounces with ounces of weight.
- Using a 250 mL metric cup where the source means the US cup.
- Converting between volume and weight without density.
- Rounding intermediate steps when scaling a recipe.
Worked example
Worked example — 2 US gallons in liters and cups
- 1 US gallon = 3.785411784 L, so 2 gallons = 7.570823568 L.
- Round for use: about 7.57 L.
- In cups: 1 gallon is 16 US cups, so 2 gallons is 32 cups.
- Check: 32 × 236.588 mL = 7,570.8 mL = 7.57 L.
Result: 2 US gallons is about 7.57 liters or 32 US cups.
To load the form's own demo values, tap Try example above the Calculate button.
How to calculate / formula
Converts through liters. 1 US gallon = 3.785411784 L; 1 US quart = 0.946352946 L; 1 US cup ≈ 236.588 mL; 1 US fl oz ≈ 29.5735 mL; 1 tbsp ≈ 14.7868 mL; 1 tsp ≈ 4.9289 mL; 1 m³ = 1,000 L.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters are in a US gallon?
3.785411784 liters, exactly by definition.
Is a US gallon the same as an imperial gallon?
No. The imperial gallon is about 4.546 L, roughly 20% bigger than a US gallon.
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
16 US tablespoons make a US cup, and 3 teaspoons make a tablespoon.
Why does my recipe's cup differ?
Cup sizes vary: US 236.6 mL, metric 250 mL, imperial about 284 mL.
How many milliliters are in a liter?
1,000.
Can I convert volume to weight here?
No. Weight needs the density of the substance, for example water is about 1 kg per liter but oil is not.