Cup (US) to Liter Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert US cups to liters with our free online volume converter.
Cup (US) to Liter Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Cup (US)).
- 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 (US) to Liter
Converting Cup (US) to Liter involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Cup (US) = 0.236588 litersExample Calculation:
Convert 10 US 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 (US) and a Liter?
The US customary cup is a unit of volume used in the United States for cooking and serving sizes. It is defined as exactly 8 US customary fluid ounces. This equates to approximately 236.59 milliliters (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 (US) 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 (US) and Liter
The concept of a 'cup' as a measurement unit evolved informally over centuries. The US customary cup was standardized based on the US gallon, which itself derived from the older English wine gallon. Unlike the metric cup (250 mL) or the imperial cup (approx. 284 mL), the US cup was legally defined in terms of the gallon (1 US gallon = 16 US cups).
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 US cups and liters
Explore the typical applications for both Cup (US) (imperial/US) and Liter (metric) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for US cups
- Cooking & Baking: The primary use is measuring liquid and dry ingredients in recipes within the United States.
- Serving Sizes: Often used to indicate serving sizes on nutritional labels in the US.
- Informal Measurement: Used informally for estimating liquid quantities.
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 (US) (cup)
How many fluid ounces are in a US cup?
There are exactly 8 US customary fluid ounces (fl oz) in 1 US cup.
How many milliliters are in a US cup?
One US cup is equivalent to approximately 236.59 milliliters (mL).
Is a US cup the same as a metric cup or an imperial cup?
No. A US cup (~236.59 mL) is smaller than both a metric cup (250 mL) used in many Commonwealth countries and an imperial cup (~284.13 mL) which is less commonly used today but part of the UK imperial system.
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 (US) to Liter
| Cup (US) (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 |