Gallon (US) to Cup Conversion Calculator: Free Online Tool
Convert US gallons to cups with our free online volume converter.
Gallon (US) to Cup Calculator
How to Use the Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Gallon (US)).
- The converted value in Cup 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 Gallon (US) to Cup
Converting Gallon (US) to Cup involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Gallon (US) = 16 cupsExample Calculation:
Convert 10 US gallons: 10 × 16 = 160 cups
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 Gallon (US) and a Cup?
The US liquid gallon (symbol gal US) is a unit of volume in the United States customary units system. It is legally defined as 231 cubic inches, which is exactly equal to 3.785411784 liters. It is commonly used for measuring larger quantities of liquids, such as gasoline, milk, and paint.
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).
Note: The Gallon (US) is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Cup belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Gallon (US) and Cup
The gallon has ancient roots, evolving from various Roman and medieval units. The US liquid gallon is based on the wine gallon, which was standardized in England during the reign of Queen Anne in 1707 as 231 cubic inches. This definition was adopted by the United States. It differs from the Imperial gallon used in the UK and Canada.
The cup evolved as a traditional, informal unit of measurement in cooking, often related to the size of a typical teacup.
Common Uses for US gallons and cups
Explore the typical applications for both Gallon (US) (imperial/US) and Cup (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for US gallons
- US Fuel: Measuring fuel (gasoline, diesel) in the United States.
- US Beverages: Selling milk and other beverages in large containers in the US.
- Household Liquids: Measuring paint and other household liquids.
- Pools & Water: Pool capacity and water usage measurements in the US.
- Industry: Some industrial applications.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Gallon (US) (gal)
Is a US gallon the same as an Imperial gallon?
No. The US gallon (≈ 3.785 L) is smaller than the Imperial gallon (≈ 4.546 L). Always specify which gallon is being used if there's ambiguity.
How many quarts are in a US gallon?
There are exactly 4 US liquid quarts in 1 US liquid gallon.
How many liters are in a US gallon?
1 US liquid gallon is exactly 3.785411784 liters.
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.
Conversion Table: Gallon (US) to Cup
| Gallon (US) (gal) | Cup (cup) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 16 |
| 5 | 80 |
| 10 | 160 |
| 25 | 400 |
| 50 | 800 |
| 100 | 1,600 |
| 500 | 8,000 |
| 1,000 | 16,000 |