Finance Health Math Other Blog
Login

Volume Unit Converter

Convert between volume units instantly
Enter a volume value and select the unit to convert to all other units.

Enter a volume value to see conversions.

Volume Conversion Guide

Understanding Volume Units

Volume measures the amount of three-dimensional space occupied by a substance. Different systems use different base units.

Metric System (SI):
  • Milliliter (ml): 1/1000 of a liter - Medications, small amounts
  • Liter (L): Base unit - Beverages, containers
  • Cubic Meter (m³): 1000 liters - Large volumes, rooms
US Customary:
  • Teaspoon/Tablespoon: Cooking measurements
  • Fluid Ounce (fl oz): 1/128 of a gallon
  • Cup: 8 fl oz - Cooking standard
  • Pint (pt): 2 cups - Beverages
  • Quart (qt): 2 pints - Milk, juice
  • Gallon (gal): 4 quarts - Large containers
Quick Reference:
  • 1 liter ≈ 0.264 US gallons ≈ 4.227 cups
  • 1 US gallon = 3.785 liters = 128 fl oz
  • 1 cup = 236.6 ml ≈ 8 fl oz
  • 1 tbsp = 15 ml, 1 tsp = 5 ml
  • 1 UK gallon = 4.546 L (20% larger than US)

Common Applications

  • Cooking: Cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, ml
  • Beverages: Liters, gallons, fl oz
  • Automotive: Liters, gallons (fuel, oil)
  • Construction: Cubic meters, cubic feet
  • Science: Milliliters, liters
Pro Tips
  • Cooking Tip
    1 cup = 240 ml (approximately). Use this for quick recipe conversions.
  • US vs UK
    UK gallon is 20% larger than US gallon. Always specify which!
  • Precision
    For baking, use weight (grams) instead of volume for accuracy.
Cooking Conversions
  • 1 cup = 16 tbsp = 48 tsp
  • 1 tbsp = 3 tsp = 15 ml
  • 1 tsp = 5 ml
  • 1 fl oz = 2 tbsp = 30 ml

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many cups are in a liter?

A: 1 liter = 4.22675 US cups (approximately 4.2 cups). Conversely, 1 US cup = 236.588 ml. This is one of the most common cooking conversions between metric and US measurements.

Q: What's the difference between US and UK gallons?

A: A US gallon is 3.785 liters (128 fl oz), while a UK (imperial) gallon is 4.546 liters (160 UK fl oz). The UK gallon is about 20% larger. This difference dates back to different historical definitions.

Q: How many tablespoons are in a cup?

A: 1 US cup = 16 tablespoons = 48 teaspoons. This is a standard cooking conversion. Remember: 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons = 15 ml.

Q: Why use weight instead of volume for baking?

A: Volume measurements (cups, tablespoons) can vary based on how ingredients are packed or sifted. Weight (grams, ounces) is more precise and consistent. For example, 1 cup of flour can weigh 120-150g depending on how it's measured.

Q: How do I convert recipe measurements?

A: For liquids, use our converter directly. For dry ingredients, note that volume-to-weight varies by ingredient (1 cup flour ≠ 1 cup sugar in weight). Use ingredient-specific conversion charts or weigh ingredients for best results.

Q: What's a cubic meter in practical terms?

A: A cubic meter (m³) is 1000 liters or about 264 US gallons. It's roughly the size of a washing machine or a small closet. It's commonly used for measuring room volumes, water tanks, or bulk materials.

Disclaimer

Important Notice:

  • This converter provides accurate conversions based on internationally-defined conversion factors (e.g., 1 US gallon = 3.785411784 liters exactly).
  • Conversions are rounded to 8 decimal places for display. For scientific or precision applications, use specialized tools.
  • For cooking and baking, note that volume-to-weight conversions vary by ingredient density. This tool converts volume units only.
  • US vs UK measurements: This converter distinguishes between US and UK gallons. Always verify which system your recipe or application uses.
  • Cooking measurements (cups, tablespoons, teaspoons) are based on US standards unless otherwise specified.
  • For precision baking, weighing ingredients (grams/ounces) is more accurate than volume measurements.
  • Temperature affects volume (liquids expand when heated). Measurements assume room temperature unless specified.
  • For commercial, medical, or legal applications, verify conversions with certified measuring equipment.
  • We are not responsible for any errors, cooking failures, measurement mistakes, or other consequences resulting from the use of this converter.

Always verify conversions for critical applications and use properly calibrated measuring equipment.

Volume Converter

Convert between 13 common volume units instantly. Perfect for cooking, automotive, construction, and science!

Supported Units
Metric:
  • ✓ Milliliter (ml)
  • ✓ Liter (L)
  • ✓ Cubic Meter (m³)
US Customary:
  • ✓ Gallon, Quart, Pint
  • ✓ Cup, Fluid Ounce
  • ✓ Tablespoon, Teaspoon
Other:
  • ✓ Cubic Inch, Cubic Foot
  • ✓ UK Gallon
Related Tools
Length Converter Weight Converter Pressure Converter Concrete Volume Calculator Excavation Calculator
Learn More

Volume Measurement:

Did You Know?

The liter was originally defined as the volume of 1 kilogram of water at 4°C. Today, it's defined as exactly 1 cubic decimeter (1 dm³ = 10cm × 10cm × 10cm)!