Pint (US) to Gallon (US) Converter
Convert US pints to US gallons with our free online volume converter.
Quick Answer
1 Pint (US) = 0.125 US gallons
Formula: Pint (US) × conversion factor = Gallon (US)
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
Our Accuracy Guarantee
All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.
Pint (US) to Gallon (US) Calculator
How to Use the Pint (US) to Gallon (US) Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Pint (US)).
- The converted value in Gallon (US) 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 Pint (US) to Gallon (US): Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Pint (US) to Gallon (US) involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Pint (US) = 0.125 US gallonsExample Calculation:
Convert 10 US pints: 10 × 0.125 = 1.25 US gallons
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.
Need to convert to other volume units?
View all Volume conversions →What is a Pint (US) and a Gallon (US)?
What Is a US Liquid Pint?
The US liquid pint is a unit of volume in the United States customary measurement system, defined as:
- Exactly 16 US fluid ounces
- Exactly 2 US cups
- Exactly one-half (1/2) of a US quart
- Exactly one-eighth (1/8) of a US gallon
- Exactly 28.875 cubic inches
- Exactly 473.176473 milliliters (by definition from 1959 international agreement)
The US liquid pint is the standard unit for serving beer in American bars, packaging milk and ice cream in grocery stores, and measuring moderate liquid quantities in recipes.
US Pint vs. Metric: Key Comparison
US Pint:
- 473.176 milliliters (about 473 mL)
- 0.473 liters (just under half a liter)
- Used primarily in United States
- Based on 1707 wine gallon (231 cubic inches)
Half Liter (500 mL):
- 500 milliliters (exactly)
- 1.057 US pints (about 6% larger)
- Global metric standard
- Used worldwide outside US/UK
Visual comparison:
- A US pint is about 27 mL smaller than half a liter (500 mL)
- 500 mL ≈ 17 fl oz (slightly more than a US pint)
- Many European "pint" beer glasses are actually 500 mL, not true pints
US Liquid Pint vs. US Dry Pint
The United States has two different pints:
US Liquid Pint:
- 473.176 mL
- Used for liquids (water, milk, beer, oil)
- 1/8 of US liquid gallon
- Standard for beverages and cooking
US Dry Pint:
- 550.610 mL (about 16% larger)
- Used historically for dry goods (berries, produce)
- 1/8 of US dry gallon
- Rarely used today
When it matters: If you buy a pint of strawberries or blueberries at a farmers market, the container might technically be a dry pint (550 mL), which is larger than a liquid pint. In practice, most commercial packaging uses liquid pint measurements or simply lists volume in fluid ounces.
The US gallon is a unit of volume in the United States customary measurement system. Since the Mendenhall Order of 1893 and confirmed by the 1959 international yard and pound agreement, one US gallon has been defined as exactly 231 cubic inches, which equals precisely 3.785411784 liters.
The US gallon is denoted by the symbol gal or sometimes gal US to distinguish it from the Imperial gallon. In everyday contexts, Americans simply say "gallon" with the US definition understood implicitly.
The gallon divides into smaller units following consistent relationships:
- 1 gallon = 4 quarts (qt)
- 1 gallon = 8 pints (pt)
- 1 gallon = 16 cups (c)
- 1 gallon = 128 fluid ounces (fl oz)
- 1 gallon = 231 cubic inches (cu in)
Unlike the metric system's clean decimal relationships (1 liter = 1,000 milliliters), the US gallon uses fractional divisions rooted in historical measurement traditions. This creates the complex but familiar relationships Americans learn: 4 quarts to a gallon, 2 pints to a quart, 2 cups to a pint.
Note: The Pint (US) is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Gallon (US) belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Pint (US) and Gallon (US)
Etymology: From "Painted Mark" to Standard Measure
The word "pint" derives from the Old French word "pinte," which likely comes from the Latin "picta" meaning "painted" or "marked." This etymology refers to the historical practice of painting marks on the inside or outside of drinking vessels and storage containers to indicate specific volumes—the painted line showed exactly where liquid should reach to constitute one pint.
This practical origin reflects the medieval need for standardized trade measurements. Tavern keepers, merchants, and households needed a reliable way to measure and sell liquids like ale, wine, milk, and oil without expensive or complex measuring equipment.
English Origins: The Wine Gallon System (1707)
The US liquid pint traces its origins to the English wine gallon system established in 1707 during the reign of Queen Anne. The Wine Gallon Act defined the gallon as 231 cubic inches, creating a standard for wine trade throughout the British Empire.
Within this system:
- 1 gallon = 231 cubic inches
- 1 quart = 1/4 gallon = 57.75 cubic inches
- 1 pint = 1/8 gallon = 28.875 cubic inches = 473.176 mL
This wine gallon system was used alongside the ale gallon (282 cubic inches, used for beer) and the corn gallon (268.8 cubic inches, used for grain), creating significant measurement confusion in colonial-era commerce.
American Independence and Measurement Continuity
When the United States gained independence in 1776, the young nation inherited British measurement systems. Unlike Britain, which would later reform its measurements, the United States retained the 1707 wine gallon standard and made it the foundation of American liquid measurement.
In 1832, the US Treasury Department officially standardized the US gallon at 231 cubic inches, making the US liquid pint exactly one-eighth of this gallon (28.875 cubic inches or 473.176 mL). This formalized what had been common practice in American trade and taverns since colonial times.
British Imperial Divergence (1824)
In 1824, Britain adopted the Imperial system under the Weights and Measures Act, creating a new, larger gallon based on 10 pounds of water at 62°F. This Imperial gallon measured 277.42 cubic inches, about 20% larger than the US gallon.
This change meant:
- Imperial pint = 1/8 Imperial gallon = 568.261 mL
- US liquid pint = 1/8 US gallon = 473.176 mL
- Difference: The Imperial pint is 20% larger than the US pint
This divergence created permanent confusion for trade, travel, and recipes between the United States and Britain. When British cookbooks call for "a pint of milk," they mean 568 mL—significantly more than the 473 mL in an American pint.
Metric Definition (1959)
The 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement between the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa refined measurement definitions in metric terms. The agreement established:
- 1 inch = 25.4 millimeters (exactly)
- 1 US gallon = 231 cubic inches = 3.785411784 liters (exactly)
- 1 US pint = 1/8 gallon = 473.176473 milliliters (exactly)
This metric definition ended ambiguity about the pint's exact size in international scientific and trade contexts, though the US continued to use customary pint measurements in everyday commerce.
Modern Usage: Beer, Milk, and Ice Cream Standard
Today, the US liquid pint remains deeply embedded in American consumer culture, particularly in three major industries:
Beer Industry: American bars and breweries serve beer in pint glasses (16 fl oz), which has become the default "standard" serving size. Craft breweries often emphasize "pint" servings as a mark of value.
Dairy Industry: Milk has been sold in pint containers (16 fl oz) since the early 20th century, alongside quart and half-gallon sizes. School milk programs often use half-pint (8 oz) cartons.
Ice Cream Industry: Ice cream has been packaged in pint containers since at least the 1940s, with Ben & Jerry's popularizing the "pint" as an individual or couple's serving size starting in 1978.
The pint's survival in the metric age reflects its practical size—large enough for a satisfying beverage or dessert serving, but small enough to be consumed in one sitting.
The gallon represents one of the oldest volume measurements still in common use, with roots stretching back over a millennium.
Roman and Medieval Origins: The word "gallon" derives from the Old Northern French galon, related to medieval Latin galleta or galletum (a measure of wine). Multiple gallon definitions existed simultaneously in medieval England: the wine gallon, ale gallon, and corn gallon, each sized differently for their respective commodities.
Wine Gallon Standardization: In 1707, during the reign of Queen Anne, England standardized the wine gallon at exactly 231 cubic inches. This became the legal definition for measuring wine and spirits throughout the British Empire. The wine gallon was chosen because it represented the volume of a cylinder 7 inches in diameter and 6 inches high—a practical size for cooperage (barrel-making).
American Adoption: After independence, the United States retained the English wine gallon as its standard liquid measure. The Weights and Measures Act of 1836 legally established 231 cubic inches as the US gallon definition, maintaining continuity with colonial-era commerce.
The Queen Anne Wine Gallon: A Practical Standard
The choice of 231 cubic inches was actually a compromise between different historical wine vessels.
- The Cylinder Math: Queen Anne's mathematicians defined the gallon as a cylinder 7 inches in diameter and 6 inches deep (using π as 22/7). This made the math easy for merchants at the time to verify with a simple ruler.
- The Conflict: Before this standardization, merchants were constantlly fighting over whose "gallon" was bigger. By decreeing the "Wine Gallon" as the national standard, Queen Anne helped stabilize the British economy—and ironically, the American economy that followed.
Common Uses and Applications: US pints vs US gallons
Explore the typical applications for both Pint (US) (imperial/US) and Gallon (US) (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for US pints
1. Beer and Alcoholic Beverage Service
The US pint is synonymous with beer service in American drinking culture:
Bar and restaurant service:
- Standard beer pour: 16 fl oz (1 pint) is the default serving size at most American bars
- Draft beer: Served in pint glasses (shaker pint, nonic, tulip pint styles)
- Craft breweries: Taproom pours typically offered in full pints or half-pints (8 oz)
- Beer flights vs pints: Flights offer 4-5 small samples; pints are full-size servings
- Pricing structure: Beer priced per pint, with happy hour "pint specials"
Glassware types:
- Shaker pint (American pint): Straight-sided 16 oz glass, industry standard
- Nonic pint: British-style with bulge near rim, holds 16 oz in US version
- Imperial pint glass: 20 oz glass, used in British pubs
- Tulip pint: Curved glass for Belgian/craft beers, 16 oz capacity
Consumer expectations: American drinkers expect a "pint" to mean 16 oz. Bars that serve less than a full pint (due to oversized glassware or short pours) face customer complaints and negative reviews.
2. Dairy Product Packaging
Milk and dairy products use the pint as a standard portion size:
Milk containers:
- Individual/small household size: 1 pint (16 oz) for 1-2 people
- School cafeteria: Half-pint (8 oz) single-serve cartons
- Specialty milks: Oat, almond, soy, lactose-free often sold in pint sizes for trial/small households
- Glass bottle milk: Premium/local dairies often use pint glass bottles
- Chocolate milk: Convenience store bottled chocolate milk typically 16 oz (pint)
Cream products:
- Heavy cream: Often sold in pint containers for cooking and whipping
- Half-and-half: Larger pint containers for household use (beyond coffee pods)
- Buttermilk: Pint and quart sizes for baking recipes
Historical context: The pint milk bottle was standard in home milk delivery (1900s-1960s), and school lunch programs standardized half-pint (8 oz) cartons in the mid-20th century.
3. Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Packaging
The pint is the signature size for premium ice cream:
Why pints dominate premium ice cream:
- Ben & Jerry's model: Pioneered premium pint packaging in 1978, making pints synonymous with high-quality ice cream
- Personal treat sizing: Large enough to share or enjoy over 2-3 occasions, small enough to justify premium pricing
- Flavor variety: Allows consumers to buy multiple flavors without committing to large containers
- Portion psychology: Marketed as "individual indulgence" despite being 3-4 official servings
Industry standard:
- 16 fl oz containers: Standard pint size across brands
- Wide-mouth design: Pint containers have wide openings for easy scooping
- Pint-sized packaging: Gelato, sorbet, non-dairy frozen desserts follow same format
- "Pint" language: Brands use "pint" in marketing ("grab a pint," "pint club")
4. Recipe Measurements and Cooking
Liquid ingredients:
- Stock/broth: Many recipes call for "1 pint chicken stock" (= 2 cups)
- Heavy cream: "1 pint heavy cream" for sauces, soups, desserts
- Milk: "1 pint milk" in bread, pancake, pudding recipes
- Cooking conversions: 1 pint = 2 cups = 16 fl oz = ~475 mL
Baking and preserving:
- Pint mason jars: Standard size for canning jams, jellies, pickles, salsa
- Fruit preparation: "2 pints strawberries" (note: may mean dry pint for whole berries)
- Measuring equipment: Some liquid measuring cups marked in pints (2-cup line)
Historical recipes: Older American cookbooks frequently use pints rather than cups, reflecting early 20th-century measurement conventions.
5. Beverage Retail Beyond Beer
Convenience store drinks:
- Cold brew coffee: Bottled cold brew often 16 oz (pint)
- Kombucha: Glass bottles commonly 16 oz
- Fresh juice: Premium fresh-squeezed juice in pint bottles
- Smoothies: Medium or regular smoothie size often 16 oz
- Energy drinks: Some brands offer 16 oz "tall boy" cans
Restaurant beverages:
- Soft drink sizing: "Medium" or "regular" often corresponds to ~16 oz (pint)
- Iced tea/lemonade: Standard restaurant glasses often pint-sized
- To-go cups: Many disposable cups come in 16 oz (pint) size
6. Food Storage and Meal Prep
Home food storage:
- Pint mason jars: Used for storing leftovers, dry goods, overnight oats, salads
- Portion control: Pint containers ideal for individual meal portions
- Freezer storage: Pint-sized containers for freezing soups, sauces, stocks
- Dry goods: Storing spices, grains, beans in pint jars for pantry organization
Meal prep industry:
- Individual portions: Meal prep companies often use pint-sized containers
- Soup/stew portions: Single-serving soup containers typically pint-sized
- Smoothie prep: Pre-portioned smoothie ingredients frozen in pint containers
7. Scientific and Laboratory Measurements
Less common but still used:
- US customary in labs: Some American labs still use pint measurements for non-critical applications
- Agricultural applications: Liquid fertilizers, pesticides sometimes measured in pints/quarts/gallons
- Automotive fluids: Motor oil sold in quarts, but pint measurements used in some maintenance contexts
- Historical data: Older scientific literature may reference pints, requiring conversion to metric
Modern trend: Scientific contexts increasingly use metric (milliliters, liters) exclusively, with pints reserved for consumer and commercial applications.
8. Farmers Markets and Fresh Produce Sales
Produce containers:
- Berry sales: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries sold in pint containers (often dry pints = 550 mL)
- Cherry tomatoes: Small tomatoes in pint containers
- Fresh herbs: Large herb bunches sometimes sold by the pint
- Prepared foods: Fresh salsas, dips, salads sold in pint containers
Dry vs liquid pint confusion: Technically, produce should be measured in dry pints (550 mL), but labeling is inconsistent. Some vendors use "pint" loosely to mean "small container" rather than precise measurement.
When to Use US gallons
Automotive Fuel Economy and Travel
Americans evaluate vehicles primarily by miles per gallon (MPG), calculating range as: gallons × MPG = miles of range. A 15-gallon tank at 30 MPG provides 450 miles of range. This gallon-centric thinking influences vehicle purchases, trip planning, and daily driving decisions.
EPA fuel economy ratings appear on every new car: city MPG, highway MPG, and combined MPG. Buyers compare vehicles: "This sedan gets 35 MPG, but the SUV only gets 22 MPG—over a year, that's X extra gallons costing $Y more."
Fuel tracking apps and vehicle computers display gallons used, average MPG, and cost per gallon. Many drivers mentally track "dollars per gallon times gallons per tank" to estimate monthly fuel budgets: 4 tanks × 14 gallons × $3.50 = $196/month.
Residential Water Supply and Wells
Private wells measure output in gallons per minute (GPM), indicating how much water the well can supply:
- Poor well: 1-3 GPM (enough for 1-2 people with conservation)
- Adequate well: 5-6 GPM (typical household needs)
- Good well: 10+ GPM (supports larger family, lawn irrigation)
Well recovery rate (how fast the well refills after pumping) measures in gallons. A well might hold 200 gallons in the casing, recover at 5 GPM, meaning after draining, it refills 300 gallons per hour.
Municipal water supply capacity scales to millions of gallons daily (MGD). A small town might have 2 MGD capacity, serving 5,000 residents at 400 gallons per person per day (including commercial and industrial use).
Commercial and Industrial Processes
Manufacturing processes specify volumes in gallons for liquids:
Food processing:
- Beverage bottling lines: 500-2,000 gallons per hour throughput
- Dairy pasteurization: Batch sizes of 1,000-5,000 gallons
- Brewing: Fermentation tanks 100-10,000 gallons (microbreweries to major producers)
Chemical manufacturing:
- Reaction vessels: 500-20,000 gallon capacity
- Storage tanks: 10,000-1,000,000 gallons
- Mixing operations: Recipe calls for X gallons of component A, Y gallons of component B
Wastewater treatment:
- Municipal treatment plant: 1-50 million gallons per day (MGD) capacity
- Holding tanks: 100,000-1,000,000 gallons
- Treatment chemical dosing: Gallons of chemical per million gallons of wastewater
Additional Unit Information
About Pint (US) (pt)
How many fluid ounces are in a US liquid pint?
There are exactly 16 US fluid ounces (fl oz) in 1 US liquid pint. This is a defining relationship: the pint is defined as 16 fl oz, which equals 473.176 milliliters.
Quick conversion:
- 1 pint = 16 fl oz
- 2 pints = 32 fl oz = 1 quart
- 0.5 pint = 8 fl oz = 1 cup
How many cups are in a US liquid pint?
There are exactly 2 US cups in 1 US liquid pint. This is a standard cooking conversion.
Quick conversion:
- 1 pint = 2 cups
- 2 pints = 4 cups = 1 quart
- 0.5 pint = 1 cup = 8 fl oz
Practical use: If a recipe calls for "1 pint heavy cream," you can measure out 2 cups instead.
Is a US liquid pint the same as a UK Imperial pint?
No. The US liquid pint is about 20% smaller than the UK Imperial pint:
- US pint: 473.176 mL (16 US fl oz)
- Imperial pint: 568.261 mL (20 Imperial fl oz)
- Difference: 95 mL (about 3.2 fl oz more in Imperial pint)
Why it matters:
- British beer: A pint in a UK pub is 568 mL—significantly more than a US bar pint
- British recipes: "1 pint milk" in a British cookbook means 568 mL, not 473 mL
- Canadian beer: Draft beer in Canada is served in Imperial pints (568 mL)
Conversion: 1 Imperial pint = 1.201 US pints ≈ 2.4 US cups
How do you convert pints to liters?
To convert US pints to liters, multiply by 0.473176 (or approximately 0.47):
Formula:
Liters = Pints × 0.473176
Examples:
- 1 pint = 0.473 L (about half a liter, but slightly less)
- 2 pints = 0.946 L (just under 1 liter)
- 4 pints = 1.893 L (just under 2 liters)
Reverse conversion (liters to pints):
Pints = Liters × 2.11338
- 1 liter ≈ 2.11 pints (slightly more than 2 pints)
- 500 mL (0.5 L) ≈ 1.06 pints (slightly more than 1 pint)
Why is American beer served in pints?
The pint of beer became the standard American bar serving for several historical and practical reasons:
Historical reasons:
- British tradition: English pubs traditionally served beer in Imperial pints (20 oz); American bars adapted this to US pints (16 oz) after independence
- Pre-Prohibition norms: Saloons and taverns used pint-sized glasses as standard serves before Prohibition (1920-1933)
- Post-Prohibition standardization: When legal drinking resumed in 1933, the 16 oz pint glass became industry standard
Practical reasons:
- Perfect drinking size: 16 oz is large enough to satisfy but small enough to finish before beer warms or goes flat
- Glassware standardization: Pint glasses (shaker pints, nonic pints) are cheap, stackable, versatile, and easy to clean
- Pricing simplicity: "Price per pint" provides clear, comparable pricing across bars and beers
- Cultural norm: Americans expect draft beer in pint glasses; smaller sizes feel like "short pours"
Modern craft beer: Craft breweries often offer half-pint (8 oz) "shorty" pours for high-ABV beers or taster flights alongside standard pint pours.
What is a dry pint, and how is it different from a liquid pint?
The US dry pint is a less common unit used historically for measuring dry goods, particularly agricultural products:
US Dry Pint:
- 550.610 milliliters (about 550 mL)
- 16.4% larger than the US liquid pint
- 1/8 of the US dry gallon (268.8 cubic inches)
- Used for: berries, produce, grains (historically)
US Liquid Pint:
- 473.176 milliliters (about 473 mL)
- Standard pint for beverages and cooking
- 1/8 of the US liquid gallon (231 cubic inches)
- Used for: water, milk, beer, oil, juice
Difference: The dry pint is 77 mL larger than the liquid pint (about 1/3 cup difference).
Modern usage: The dry pint is rarely used today. When you see "pint of strawberries" at a farmers market, the container may technically be a dry pint (550 mL), but most people just think of it as "a pint container." In practice, nearly all "pint" references mean the liquid pint (473 mL).
How many pints are in a gallon?
There are exactly 8 US pints in 1 US gallon:
Gallon breakdown:
- 1 gallon = 8 pints = 4 quarts = 16 cups = 128 fl oz
- 0.5 gallon = 4 pints = 2 quarts = 8 cups = 64 fl oz
- 0.25 gallon = 2 pints = 1 quart = 4 cups = 32 fl oz
Reverse conversion:
- 1 pint = 1/8 gallon = 0.125 gallon
- 2 pints = 1/4 gallon = 0.25 gallon
- 4 pints = 1/2 gallon = 0.5 gallon
Practical use: If you need 2 gallons of liquid, that's 16 pints or 8 quarts.
Is a pint of ice cream really a pint?
Yes—by volume. Ice cream pint containers hold 16 fluid ounces (473 mL) by volume, which is exactly 1 US liquid pint.
However:
- Weight varies: A pint of ice cream does not weigh 16 oz. Depending on density (air content, ingredients), a pint of ice cream typically weighs 9-14 oz.
- Premium vs regular: Premium ice cream (Ben & Jerry's, Häagen-Dazs) is denser (less air), so a pint weighs more (~11-14 oz). Regular ice cream has more air ("overrun"), so a pint weighs less (~9-11 oz).
- Serving size deception: The FDA considers a pint of ice cream to be 4 servings (1/2 cup each), but most people consume 1-2 pints as 1-2 servings in practice.
Bottom line: The container holds exactly 1 liquid pint (16 fl oz) by volume, but the weight of the ice cream inside depends on its density.
Why are milk cartons sold in pints and quarts instead of liters?
Milk is sold in pints, quarts, half-gallons, and gallons in the United States because the dairy industry standardized these sizes in the early 20th century before metric adoption efforts:
Historical reasons:
- Early 1900s milk delivery: Home milk delivery used glass bottles in pint, quart, and half-gallon sizes, which became consumer expectations
- School lunch programs: The USDA standardized half-pint (8 oz) milk cartons for school cafeterias in the 1930s-1950s
- Consumer familiarity: Generations of Americans grew up with these sizes, making them culturally ingrained
- Existing infrastructure: Dairy plants, bottling equipment, and distribution systems built around these sizes
Why not liters:
- US resistance to metrication: Unlike most countries, the US never fully adopted the metric system for consumer products
- Lack of legal mandate: The 1975 Metric Conversion Act was voluntary, and dairy industry didn't switch
- Consumer confusion: Switching to liters would require re-educating consumers about portion sizes
Modern trend: Some specialty/imported milks are sold in liter containers, but mainstream dairy remains in customary units (pints, quarts, half-gallons, gallons).
Can you use a pint measurement for both liquids and solids?
It depends:
For liquids: Yes, the US liquid pint (473 mL) is the correct measurement for all liquids—water, milk, oil, juice, etc.
For solids:
- Dry pint (rarely used): The US dry pint (551 mL) was historically used for dry goods like berries, grains, and produce, but is uncommon today.
- Modern practice: Most "solid" products measured in pints (berries, tomatoes, ice cream) actually use liquid pint measurements (473 mL / 16 fl oz) or simply use "pint" as a container size without strict adherence to either definition.
- Weight vs volume: For solids, weight (ounces, pounds) is generally more accurate than volume (pints).
Practical advice:
- Liquids: Always use liquid pint (473 mL = 16 fl oz)
- Ice cream: Use liquid pint (16 fl oz containers)
- Berries/produce: Container labeled "pint" may be dry pint (551 mL), liquid pint (473 mL), or approximation—check weight for precision
- Cooking: Unless recipe specifies "dry pint," assume liquid pint
How do bartenders ensure a full pint pour?
Bartenders use several methods to serve accurate pint measurements:
Glassware standards:
- 16 oz pint glasses: True pint glasses hold exactly 16 fl oz when filled to the rim
- Fill lines: Some jurisdictions require glasses with etched fill lines showing exactly 16 oz
- Honest Pint Project: Movement in US cities (Portland, Seattle) to certify bars serving true 16 oz pours
Pouring techniques:
- Tilted glass: Pour beer at 45° angle to reduce foam, then straighten to fill
- Headspace: Proper pour leaves 0.5-1 inch of foam (head), with ~14-15 oz liquid, totaling ~16 oz
- Topped off: Some bartenders "top off" the glass after foam settles to ensure full measure
Legal requirements:
- Weights and Measures: Some states require bars to serve advertised quantities accurately (e.g., "pint" must be 16 oz)
- Inspections: Some jurisdictions inspect bars to ensure accurate pours
- "Honest Pint" laws: Cities like Portland require fill lines or 16 oz minimum liquid
Consumer awareness:
- Ask questions: If a "pint" looks short, ask bartender if it's a full 16 oz
- Check glassware: Look for fill line markings or capacity stamps on bottom of glass
- "Shaker pint" issues: Standard shaker pints hold exactly 16 oz, but some bars use oversized glasses to make smaller pours look full
About Gallon (US) (gal)
How many liters are in a US gallon?
One US gallon equals exactly 3.785411784 liters. This precise relationship was established through the 1959 international yard and pound agreement, which defined the inch as exactly 2.54 centimeters. Since the US gallon equals 231 cubic inches, the liter conversion calculates exactly.
Quick conversions:
- 1 US gallon = 3.785 liters (rounded)
- 5 gallons = 18.927 liters
- 10 gallons = 37.854 liters
Reverse conversion: 1 liter = 0.264172 US gallons
- 1 liter ≈ 0.26 gallons (roughly 1/4 gallon)
- 4 liters = 1.057 gallons (slightly more than 1 gallon)
- 10 liters = 2.642 gallons
Practical approximation: For everyday estimates, remember 4 liters ≈ 1 gallon (5% high). A 2-liter soda bottle is roughly half a gallon (actually 0.53 gallons). More precisely, 3.8 liters ≈ 1 gallon gives results within 0.4%.
How many quarts are in a US gallon?
There are exactly 4 quarts in 1 US gallon. This relationship is definitional—the quart (quarter gallon) derives its name from being one-fourth of a gallon.
Gallon subdivisions:
- 1 gallon = 4 quarts
- 1 gallon = 8 pints (2 pints per quart)
- 1 gallon = 16 cups (2 cups per pint)
- 1 gallon = 128 fluid ounces (8 fl oz per cup)
Converting gallons to quarts: Multiply by 4
- 2.5 gallons = 10 quarts
- 5 gallons = 20 quarts
Converting quarts to gallons: Divide by 4
- 12 quarts = 3 gallons
- 10 quarts = 2.5 gallons
- 3 quarts = 0.75 gallons
These consistent relationships make cooking and liquid measurement straightforward: doubling a recipe that calls for 2 quarts means using 1 gallon.
Is a US gallon the same as an Imperial gallon?
No—the US gallon and Imperial gallon are different volumes. The US gallon is approximately 83% the size of an Imperial gallon, creating significant differences in measurements.
US gallon: 231 cubic inches = 3.785 liters Imperial gallon: 277.42 cubic inches = 4.546 liters Difference: Imperial gallon is ~20% larger (1.201× the US gallon)
Conversion:
- 1 Imperial gallon = 1.201 US gallons
- 1 US gallon = 0.833 Imperial gallons
Why it matters:
Fuel economy: UK vehicle rated at 40 Imperial MPG equals 33.3 US MPG. The Imperial gallon is larger, so going 40 miles on that bigger gallon means worse efficiency than 40 US MPG.
Recipes: British recipe calling for "1 gallon milk" means 4.546 liters, but Americans using US gallons would only use 3.785 liters—nearly 20% less, potentially ruining the recipe.
Shipping/commerce: Ordering "1000 gallons" internationally requires specifying which gallon to avoid receiving 833 or 1,201 gallons instead.
Historical note: Both countries used the wine gallon (231 cu in) until 1824, when Britain adopted the Imperial system with a larger gallon based on 10 pounds of water. The US retained the smaller wine gallon, creating the divergence.
Why do Americans use gallons instead of liters?
Americans use gallons instead of liters primarily due to infrastructure investment, cultural familiarity, and regulatory inertia—not because gallons offer any technical advantage.
Infrastructure costs: Converting to liters would require replacing or recalibrating:
- 150,000+ gas station pumps ($10,000-50,000 each to replace)
- Millions of fuel tanks, storage systems, and delivery trucks calibrated in gallons
- Industrial equipment, mixing systems, and process controls based on gallons
- Signage, labeling, and retail systems throughout supply chains
Estimated total cost: Tens of billions of dollars across all affected industries.
Cultural familiarity: Americans instinctively understand gallons from childhood:
- "Miles per gallon" is the universal fuel efficiency metric
- Milk comes in gallon jugs
- Paint buckets hold 1 or 5 gallons
- Pool capacity measures in thousands of gallons
Most Americans can't visualize a liter intuitively—"3.785 liters" means nothing, while "1 gallon" immediately conveys a specific, familiar quantity.
Regulatory flexibility: The 1975 Metric Conversion Act made metric "preferred" but voluntary. Without mandatory conversion deadlines or enforcement, industries continued using gallons. Attempts to require metric labeling on gas pumps faced fierce public resistance in the 1990s.
Partial adoption: The US uses liters in some contexts—2-liter soda bottles, engine displacement (2.0L engine), alcoholic beverages (750ml wine bottles). This creates a hybrid system where both units coexist, reducing pressure for full conversion.
Economic reality: Changing would be expensive, disruptive, and unpopular, with no clear benefit justifying the cost. Gallons work perfectly well for domestic commerce, and international trade already accommodates multiple measurement systems.
How much does a gallon of water weigh?
A US gallon of water weighs approximately 8.34 pounds (3.78 kg) at room temperature (70°F/21°C). This weight varies slightly with temperature as water density changes.
Temperature effects:
- 32°F (0°C, nearly freezing): 8.34 lbs per gallon
- 39.2°F (4°C, maximum density): 8.35 lbs per gallon
- 70°F (21°C, room temperature): 8.33 lbs per gallon
- 200°F (93°C, hot): 8.16 lbs per gallon
- 212°F (100°C, boiling): 8.00 lbs per gallon
Practical rule: "A gallon of water weighs about 8.3 pounds" works well for most purposes.
Related conversions:
- 1 cubic foot of water = 7.48 gallons = 62.4 pounds
- 1 quart of water = 2.08 pounds
- 1 pint of water = 1.04 pounds (origin of "a pint's a pound the world around")
Why it matters:
Weight calculations: A 500-gallon hot tub holds 4,170 pounds of water (over 2 tons)—critical for deck structural load calculations.
Shipping costs: 55-gallon drum of water weighs 458 lbs plus container weight, affecting freight costs and handling requirements.
Vehicle loading: Carrying 15 gallons of water in a car adds 125 lbs, measurably affecting fuel economy and handling.
Emergency preparedness: Storing 14 gallons of water per person (2-week supply) equals 117 lbs per person, requiring sturdy shelving.
What's the difference between liquid gallons and dry gallons?
The US liquid gallon (231 cubic inches = 3.785 liters) is the standard gallon used today for all liquids—gasoline, milk, paint, water, chemicals, etc.
The US dry gallon (268.8 cubic inches = 4.405 liters) was historically used for measuring dry goods like grain, fruit, and vegetables. It's approximately 1.16 times larger than the liquid gallon.
Current usage: The dry gallon is essentially obsolete. Modern commerce measures dry goods by weight (pounds, kilograms) rather than volume. You'll never encounter dry gallons in everyday life—farmers sell grain by the bushel (8 dry gallons, but nobody thinks of it this way) or by weight.
Why the difference existed: Different gallon sizes accommodated measuring methods. Liquids fill containers completely without air gaps, while dry goods like grain have air spaces between kernels. The larger dry gallon compensated for this, attempting to standardize weight-to-volume relationships.
Today: When anyone says "gallon" without qualifier, they always mean liquid gallon. Dry gallon survives only in historical documents and archaic legal definitions. Even the produce section of supermarkets prices fruits and vegetables by the pound, not by dry volume.
How many ounces are in a gallon?
There are exactly 128 fluid ounces in 1 US gallon. This relationship derives from the gallon's subdivisions:
- 1 gallon = 4 quarts
- 1 quart = 32 fluid ounces
- Therefore: 4 × 32 = 128 fluid ounces per gallon
Alternative path:
- 1 gallon = 16 cups
- 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces
- Therefore: 16 × 8 = 128 fluid ounces per gallon
Common conversions:
- Half-gallon = 64 fluid ounces (2 quarts)
- Quarter-gallon = 32 fluid ounces (1 quart)
- 1 gallon = 128 fl oz
Beverage bottles:
- 2-liter soda = 67.6 fl oz (about half a gallon)
- 20 oz bottle = 0.156 gallons
- 32 oz (quart) = 0.25 gallons
- 64 oz (half-gallon) = 0.5 gallons
- 128 oz = 1 gallon
Daily water intake: Health recommendations often suggest "eight 8-ounce glasses per day" = 64 fluid ounces = half a gallon. Some trainers recommend "a gallon a day" (128 oz) for people exercising heavily, though this may be excessive for sedentary individuals.
Important: Fluid ounces measure volume. Don't confuse with ounces of weight. A fluid ounce of water weighs approximately 1.04 ounces (weight), but a fluid ounce of honey weighs about 1.5 ounces (weight) due to different densities.
How do you calculate pool capacity in gallons?
Pool capacity calculation depends on shape. Use these formulas for accurate gallon measurements:
Rectangular Pool: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Average Depth (ft) × 7.5 = Gallons
Example: 20 ft × 40 ft × 5 ft × 7.5 = 30,000 gallons
Round Pool: Diameter (ft) × Diameter (ft) × Average Depth (ft) × 5.9 = Gallons
Example: 24 ft diameter × 24 ft × 4 ft × 5.9 = 13,594 gallons
Oval Pool: Long Diameter (ft) × Short Diameter (ft) × Average Depth (ft) × 5.9 = Gallons
Example: 30 ft × 15 ft × 4.5 ft × 5.9 = 11,933 gallons
Kidney/Irregular Shapes: Break into rectangular and circular sections, calculate each, sum total. Or multiply surface area (sq ft) × average depth × 7.5.
Average depth calculation: For pools with sloped bottoms: (Shallow End Depth + Deep End Depth) ÷ 2
Example: 3 ft shallow, 8 ft deep: (3 + 8) ÷ 2 = 5.5 ft average depth
Why accuracy matters:
- Chemical dosing based on gallons: 1 lb chlorine per 10,000 gallons
- Incorrect volume leads to under/over-treatment
- Filter and pump sizing depends on gallons
- Heating costs calculated from gallon volume
Verification: Fill the pool with a water meter running, or hire a pool professional to measure during initial filling. Record the exact capacity permanently—don't recalculate each season.
Can you mix gallons and quarts in calculations?
Yes, but convert to a common unit to avoid errors. Gallons and quarts can be added, subtracted, and converted, but keeping them in mixed notation (2 gallons 3 quarts) during calculations invites mistakes.
Best practice: Convert everything to decimal gallons:
- 2 gallons 3 quarts = 2 + (3÷4) = 2.75 gallons
- 1 gallon 2 quarts = 1 + (2÷4) = 1.5 gallons
- Sum: 2.75 + 1.5 = 4.25 gallons
Alternative: Convert to quarts, calculate, convert back:
- 2 gallons 3 quarts = 8 + 3 = 11 quarts
- 1 gallon 2 quarts = 4 + 2 = 6 quarts
- Sum: 11 + 6 = 17 quarts = 4 gallons 1 quart = 4.25 gallons
Adding mixed notation directly (error-prone):
- 2 gal 3 qt + 1 gal 2 qt = 3 gal 5 qt
- But 5 qt = 1 gal 1 qt, so convert: 3 gal + 1 gal 1 qt = 4 gal 1 qt = 4.25 gallons
Kitchen measurements: Recipes might call for "1 gallon plus 1 quart milk." Convert immediately: 1.25 gallons simplifies calculations and reduces measurement errors.
What's the origin of "231 cubic inches" for a gallon?
The US gallon's definition as 231 cubic inches traces back to England's 1707 wine gallon standardization under Queen Anne. This specific number wasn't arbitrary—it represented the volume of a cylinder 7 inches in diameter and 6 inches high, a practical size for wine casks in cooperage (barrel-making).
Mathematical basis:
- Cylinder volume = π × radius² × height
- 7-inch diameter = 3.5-inch radius
- π × (3.5)² × 6 = π × 12.25 × 6 = 230.91 cubic inches
Rounded to 231 cubic inches for legal simplicity, this definition proved remarkably durable. When the United States gained independence, it retained this British standard.
Why this size? The dimensions reflected practical container manufacturing. Coopers (barrel makers) could reliably produce uniform containers using these proportions. The gallon represented a convenient trade unit—large enough for efficient commerce, small enough for individual transactions.
Alternative gallons: Before 1707, England used multiple gallon definitions simultaneously—ale gallon (282 cu in), wine gallon (231 cu in), corn gallon (268.8 cu in). Queen Anne's standardization chose the wine gallon, establishing 231 cubic inches as the official liquid measure throughout the British Empire.
Modern persistence: The 231 cubic inch definition survived Britain's 1824 Imperial reform (which created a larger 277.42 cu in gallon). Americans kept the colonial-era 231 cu in gallon, maintaining continuity with established commerce. Today, this 300-year-old measurement remains legally enshrined in US law, converted precisely to 3.785411784 liters through the 1959 international agreement.
Conversion Table: Pint (US) to Gallon (US)
| Pint (US) (pt) | Gallon (US) (gal) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.063 |
| 1 | 0.125 |
| 1.5 | 0.188 |
| 2 | 0.25 |
| 5 | 0.625 |
| 10 | 1.25 |
| 25 | 3.125 |
| 50 | 6.25 |
| 100 | 12.5 |
| 250 | 31.25 |
| 500 | 62.5 |
| 1,000 | 125 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Pint (US) to Gallon (US)?
To convert Pint (US) to Gallon (US), enter the value in Pint (US) in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our volume converter page to convert between other units in this category.
Learn more →What is the conversion factor from Pint (US) to Gallon (US)?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Pint (US) and Gallon (US). You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.
Can I convert Gallon (US) back to Pint (US)?
Yes! You can easily convert Gallon (US) back to Pint (US) by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Gallon (US) to Pint (US) converter page. You can also explore other volume conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Pint (US) and Gallon (US)?
Pint (US) and Gallon (US) are both standard units used in volume measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our volume converter for more conversion options.
For more volume conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.
Helpful Conversion Guides
Learn more about unit conversion with our comprehensive guides:
📚 How to Convert Units
Step-by-step guide to unit conversion with practical examples.
🔢 Conversion Formulas
Essential formulas for volume and other conversions.
⚖️ Metric vs Imperial
Understand the differences between measurement systems.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Learn about frequent errors and how to avoid them.
All Volume Conversions
Other Volume Units and Conversions
Explore other volume units and their conversion options:
- Liter (L) • Pint (US) to Liter
- Milliliter (mL) • Pint (US) to Milliliter
- Cubic meter (m³) • Pint (US) to Cubic meter
- Gallon (UK) (gal) • Pint (US) to Gallon (UK)
- Quart (qt) • Pint (US) to Quart
- Cup (cup) • Pint (US) to Cup
- Fluid ounce (fl oz) • Pint (US) to Fluid ounce
- Cup (US) (cup) • Pint (US) to Cup (US)
Verified Against Authority Standards
All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.
National Institute of Standards and Technology — Standards for volume measurements
Last verified: February 19, 2026