Cup to Liter Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert cups to liters with our free online volume converter.
Cup to Liter Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Cup).
- The converted value in Liter will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Volume category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Cup to Liter
Converting Cup to Liter involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Cup = 0.236588 litersExample Calculation:
Convert 10 cups: 10 × 0.236588 = 2.365882 liters
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
What is a Cup and a Liter?
The cup is a unit of volume used in cooking and measurements. The most common definition is the US customary cup (approx. 236.59 ml), but other definitions exist (e.g., metric cup = 250 ml).
The liter (symbol L or l) is a metric unit of volume. It is defined as exactly one cubic decimeter (1 dm³), which is equivalent to 1,000 cubic centimeters (cm³) or 0.001 cubic meters (m³). The liter is commonly used for measuring liquids and sometimes granulated solids.
Note: The Cup is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Liter belongs to the metric (SI) system.
History of the Cup and Liter
The cup evolved as a traditional, informal unit of measurement in cooking, often related to the size of a typical teacup.
The liter was introduced in France in 1795 as one of the new 'republican measures' and was defined as one cubic decimeter. The original symbol was 'l', but the symbol 'L' was adopted by the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) in 1979 to avoid confusion with the number '1'. While not an official SI unit (the SI unit for volume is the cubic meter), it is accepted for use with the SI.
Common Uses for cups and liters
Explore the typical applications for both Cup (imperial/US) and Liter (metric) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for cups
- Cooking: Widely used in recipes, especially in North America, for measuring both liquid and dry ingredients.
- Beverages: Measuring coffee and tea portions in home brewing.
- Breakfast: Portioning breakfast cereals and grains.
- Staple Foods: Measuring rice, pasta, and other staple foods before cooking.
- Baking: Used in baking for flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients.
- Storage: Common unit for household food storage containers.
- Nutrition: Measuring serving sizes in dietary guidelines and nutrition information.
Common Uses for liters
- Beverages: Measuring beverages (water bottles, soda, milk cartons).
- Automotive: Engine displacement in vehicles.
- Containers: Volume of backpacks and containers.
- Laboratory: Laboratory measurements for liquids.
- Fuel: Fuel volume at gas stations in most countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Cup (cup)
Is a cup the same everywhere?
No, the volume of a "cup" can vary significantly by region (e.g., US customary ≈ 237 mL, US legal = 240 mL, metric = 250 mL, imperial ≈ 284 mL). This converter primarily uses the US customary cup unless otherwise specified in the context of a specific conversion pair.
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
In the US customary system, there are 16 tablespoons in 1 cup. This is a useful conversion to remember for scaling recipes up or down, especially when working with smaller quantities.
Is a dry cup different from a liquid cup?
Yes, in the US customary system, there is a distinction between dry and liquid cup measurements. While they have the same volume (8 fluid ounces), they are measured differently. Liquid cups are typically measured to the brim in a liquid measuring cup, while dry cups are measured by filling and leveling off in a dry measuring cup. For precise cooking results, it's best to use the appropriate measuring tool for each type of ingredient.
About Liter (L)
Is a liter exactly 1 kilogram of water?
Approximately, yes, but not exactly. The original definition of the kilogram was based on the mass of one liter of water at its maximum density (around 4°C). However, the definition of the kilogram has since been refined based on fundamental physical constants. So, 1 liter of water has a mass very close to 1 kg under specific conditions, but it's not the definition.
What is the difference between L and l as symbols for liter?
Both are accepted symbols for the liter. 'L' was officially sanctioned to reduce ambiguity with the numeral '1', especially in print, but 'l' is still commonly used, particularly in scientific contexts where the font makes it distinct.
How does a liter relate to a cubic meter?
1 cubic meter (m³) is equal to 1,000 liters (L). Conversely, 1 liter is equal to 0.001 cubic meters.
Conversion Table: Cup to Liter
| Cup (cup) | Liter (L) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.237 |
| 5 | 1.183 |
| 10 | 2.366 |
| 25 | 5.915 |
| 50 | 11.829 |
| 100 | 23.659 |
| 500 | 118.294 |
| 1,000 | 236.588 |