Quart to Fluid ounce Converter
Convert quarts to fluid ounces with our free online volume converter.
Quick Answer
1 Quart = 32 fluid ounces
Formula: Quart × conversion factor = Fluid ounce
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
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Quart to Fluid ounce Calculator
How to Use the Quart to Fluid ounce Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Quart).
- The converted value in Fluid ounce 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 Quart to Fluid ounce: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Quart to Fluid ounce involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Quart = 32 fluid ouncesExample Calculation:
Convert 10 quarts: 10 × 32 = 320 fluid ounces
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 Quart and a Fluid ounce?
The US liquid quart (symbol qt US) is a unit of volume in the United States customary units system. It is equal to one-quarter of a US gallon, which is exactly 57.75 cubic inches or approximately 0.946 liters. It is commonly used for measuring medium quantities of liquids, such as milk, oil, and juices.
Precise definition:
- 1 US liquid quart = 1/4 US gallon (exactly)
- 1 US liquid quart = 32 US fluid ounces (exactly)
- 1 US liquid quart = 2 US pints (exactly)
- 1 US liquid quart = 4 US cups (exactly)
- 1 US liquid quart = 57.75 cubic inches (exactly)
- 1 US liquid quart = 946.352946 milliliters (exactly, since 1959)
- 1 US liquid quart ≈ 0.946353 liters
Relationship to metric:
- 1 liter ≈ 1.057 US quarts (about 5.7% larger)
- 1 US quart ≈ 0.946 liters (about 5.4% smaller than liter)
US Liquid Quart vs. Imperial Quart
Critical distinction for international recipes and commerce:
US Liquid Quart:
- 946.35 milliliters (0.946 L)
- Based on US gallon (231 cubic inches)
- Used in: United States
- 1/4 of US gallon (exactly)
Imperial Quart:
- 1,136.52 milliliters (1.137 L)
- Based on Imperial gallon (277.42 cubic inches)
- Used in: United Kingdom, Canada (declining), some Commonwealth nations
- 1/4 of Imperial gallon (exactly)
Size comparison:
- Imperial quart is 20% larger than US quart
- 1 Imperial quart = 1.201 US quarts
- 1 US quart = 0.833 Imperial quarts
Why this matters:
- UK recipe calling for "1 quart" = 1.137 L (need 1.2 US quarts)
- US recipe calling for "1 quart" = 0.946 L (UK needs 0.83 Imperial quarts)
- Packaged goods: Must specify which quart when importing/exporting
US Liquid Quart vs. US Dry Quart
Two different quarts in US measurement system:
US Liquid Quart:
- 946.35 milliliters (0.946 L)
- Used for liquids: milk, juice, oil, water
- 32 fluid ounces
- Most common in everyday use
US Dry Quart:
- 1,101.22 milliliters (1.101 L)
- Used for dry goods: berries, grains, produce
- 16.4% larger than liquid quart
- Rarely used (mostly replaced by weight measurements)
When you see "quart" without qualifier: Assume liquid quart (default in US)
The fluid ounce (symbol: fl oz or fl. oz.) is a unit of volume used primarily in the United States for measuring liquids.
US Fluid Ounce (Standard in America)
US fluid ounce = exactly 29.5735295625 milliliters
Defined as: 1/128 of a US gallon
Mathematical relationships:
- 2 tablespoons = 1 fluid ounce
- 8 fluid ounces = 1 cup
- 16 fluid ounces = 1 pint
- 32 fluid ounces = 1 quart
- 128 fluid ounces = 1 gallon
Imperial Fluid Ounce (UK)
Imperial fluid ounce = exactly 28.4130625 milliliters (about 4% smaller than US)
Defined as: 1/160 of an Imperial gallon
Key difference: The Imperial gallon (4.546 L) is larger than the US gallon (3.785 L), but divided into more fluid ounces, making each Imperial fluid ounce slightly smaller than the US version.
Fluid Ounce vs. Weight Ounce
This is the most common source of confusion:
Fluid ounce (fl oz): Measures volume (capacity/space)
- Used for: liquids (water, milk, juice, oil)
- 1 fl oz = 29.57 mL
- Measured with measuring cups
Ounce (oz): Measures weight/mass
- Used for: solid foods (flour, sugar, meat, cheese)
- 1 oz = 28.35 grams
- Measured with a scale
For water only: 1 fluid ounce of water weighs approximately 1.04 ounces by weight. This near-equivalence was intentional historically but leads to confusion because it doesn't apply to other liquids.
Example of the difference:
- 8 fl oz of water weighs about 8.3 oz (by weight)
- 8 fl oz of honey weighs about 12 oz (honey is denser)
- 8 fl oz of vegetable oil weighs about 7.6 oz (oil is less dense)
Note: The Quart is part of the imperial/US customary system, primarily used in the US, UK, and Canada for everyday measurements. The Fluid ounce belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Quart and Fluid ounce
The quart, meaning 'quarter part' (of a gallon), shares its history with the gallon. The US liquid quart is derived from the English wine gallon (231 cubic inches), making it distinct from the Imperial quart used elsewhere, which is based on the larger Imperial gallon.
Medieval Origins: The "Quarter Gallon"
Etymology and early use:
"Quart" from Latin "quartus":
- Latin: "quartus" = fourth
- Old French: "quarte" = quarter
- English: "quart" = one-fourth of a gallon
- Simple fractional relationship made it practical for trade
Medieval English liquid measures:
- Gallon: Primary large liquid unit (wine, ale, milk)
- Quart: 1/4 gallon (convenient middle size)
- Pint: 1/8 gallon (1/2 quart)
- Cup: 1/16 gallon (1/2 pint)
Why quarters were useful:
- Easy mental math: 4 quarts = 1 gallon
- Convenient container size for households
- Balanced between pint (too small for families) and gallon (too large for single use)
English Wine Gallon Standard (1707)
Queen Anne establishes wine gallon:
1707: Wine Gallon Act:
- Defined wine gallon as 231 cubic inches (exactly)
- Based on cylinder 7 inches diameter × 6 inches high
- Created to standardize wine trade across British Empire
- Wine quart = 231 ÷ 4 = 57.75 cubic inches
Why "wine" gallon:
- Separate from "ale gallon" (282 cubic inches) used for beer
- Wine gallon used for wines, spirits, and general liquids
- Eventually became standard for all liquids in American colonies
Colonial American adoption:
- American colonies used English wine gallon system
- Quart became standard for milk, cider, cooking liquids
- Taverns served drinks by the quart or pint
American Independence and Standardization (1776-1832)
US preserves wine gallon after independence:
1776-1820s: Post-independence confusion:
- No official federal standard after breaking from Britain
- States used varying interpretations of gallon/quart
- Trade disputes over measurement differences
1832: US Treasury Department standardization:
- Treasury established 231 cubic inch gallon as official US standard
- Quart = 57.75 cubic inches (1/4 gallon)
- Based on physical "gallon standard" kept in Treasury
- Applied to customs, commerce, taxation
Comparison to other measures:
- US adopted wine gallon (231 in³)
- Rejected British ale gallon and corn gallon
- Created permanent US standard independent of Britain
British Imperial Divergence (1824)
UK creates larger Imperial quart:
1824: Weights and Measures Act (UK):
- Britain replaced wine/ale gallon confusion with single Imperial gallon
- Imperial gallon = 277.42 cubic inches (10 pounds of water at 62°F)
- Imperial quart = 277.42 ÷ 4 = 69.36 cubic inches
- 20% larger than US quart
Why Britain changed:
- Wine/ale gallon system created confusion and fraud
- Wanted single standard based on water weight (metric influence)
- Scientific definition more precise than arbitrary cylinder
US did NOT follow:
- United States retained 231 cubic inch wine gallon
- Too disruptive to change established commerce
- American identity separate from British standards
- Permanent US-UK measurement split created
Result:
- US quart = 946 mL (wine gallon basis)
- Imperial quart = 1,137 mL (Imperial gallon basis)
- 20% size difference persists today
Metric Definition (1959)
Precise metric equivalent established:
July 1, 1959: International Yard and Pound Agreement:
- Defined 1 inch = exactly 25.4 millimeters
- From this: 1 cubic inch = 16.387064 cm³
- 1 US quart = 57.75 in³ × 16.387064 = 946.352946 mL (exactly)
Why this mattered:
- Ended slight US-UK inch discrepancies
- Allowed precise metric conversion
- International trade standardization
- Scientific calculations simplified
Modern Era (1960s-Present)
Metric pressure vs. quart persistence:
US resistance to metrication:
- 1975 Metric Conversion Act: Voluntary metric adoption (largely failed)
- Quart remains standard for beverages, automotive fluids, cooking
- Dual labeling common: "1 quart (946 mL)"
- No plans to eliminate quart from commerce
Other countries' metrication:
- Canada: Officially metric since 1970s, but Imperial quarts still understood
- UK: Officially metric, but pints persist for beer/milk (quarts rare)
- Australia/NZ: Fully metric, quarts obsolete
Current US usage:
- Grocery: Milk, juice, broth sold in quarts
- Automotive: Motor oil in quart bottles
- Cooking: Recipes use quarts for liquids
- Paint/adhesives: Often sold by quart
- Nurseries: Potting soil, plant containers sized in quarts
Medieval Origins: Weight to Volume
Weight-Based Liquid Trade: In medieval England, wine, ale, and other liquids were originally sold by weight using the avoirdupois ounce (28.35 grams for weight).
Practical Problem: Weighing liquids was impractical for taverns and merchants who needed to pour drinks quickly. They needed a volume measurement.
Solution: The fluid ounce was created to represent the volume that a certain weight of liquid would occupy. For water, this created a convenient relationship: 1 fluid ounce of water weighs approximately 1 ounce.
1707: Wine Gallon Standardization (Colonial America)
Queen Anne's Wine Gallon: In 1707, England standardized the wine gallon at exactly 231 cubic inches. The fluid ounce was defined as 1/128 of this wine gallon.
American Adoption: When the United States gained independence, it retained the wine gallon system, including the fluid ounce as 1/128 of a gallon.
1824: Imperial System Divergence
British Imperial System: In 1824, Britain adopted the Imperial system, replacing the wine gallon with the larger Imperial gallon (277.42 cubic inches instead of 231).
Two Different Fluid Ounces:
- US fluid ounce: Remained 1/128 of the wine gallon (29.57 mL)
- Imperial fluid ounce: Became 1/160 of the Imperial gallon (28.41 mL)
This divergence created confusion that persists today, especially in international recipes and product labeling.
1959: International Agreement
Gallon Defined in Metric: The 1959 international yard and pound agreement defined the US gallon as exactly 231 cubic inches, which equals exactly 3.785411784 liters.
Fluid Ounce Fixed: This automatically defined the US fluid ounce as exactly 1/128 of 3.785411784 liters = 29.5735295625 milliliters.
Modern Usage
US Standard: The United States continues to use fluid ounces extensively for beverages, recipes, and product labeling.
UK Transition: The United Kingdom officially adopted the metric system but still uses Imperial fluid ounces alongside milliliters in some contexts (especially pints in pubs—568 mL).
Global Context: Most of the world uses milliliters and liters exclusively. Only the US, Myanmar, and Liberia primarily use non-metric volume units.
Common Uses and Applications: quarts vs fluid ounces
Explore the typical applications for both Quart (imperial/US) and Fluid ounce (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for quarts
US Beverages
Selling milk, juice, and other beverages in the US.
Standard retail sizes:
- Milk: Half-pint (8 oz), pint (16 oz), quart (32 oz), half-gallon (64 oz), gallon (128 oz)
- Juice: Often 32 oz (quart) or 64 oz (half-gallon)
- Broth: Industry standard 32 oz carton = 1 quart
Why quarts work for beverages:
- Household consumption: 1 quart = 4 servings (8 oz each)
- Refrigerator fit: Quart cartons stack efficiently
- Freshness: Smaller than gallon, finishes before spoiling
- Portability: Easier to pour than gallon
Regional preferences:
- Northeast: Quarts common for milk
- Midwest/South: Half-gallons and gallons more popular
- Urban areas: Quarts suit smaller households
Automotive Fluids
Measuring motor oil.
Standard bottle size:
- 1 quart = 32 fl oz (946 mL)
- Convenient for topping off oil between changes
- Most engines require 4-6 quarts total
Industry standardization:
- Auto parts stores stock dozens of quart bottles
- Oil change shops buy bulk, dispense by quart
- Owner's manual specifies capacity in quarts
- Dipstick markings often show "add 1 qt" range
Environmental note:
- Empty quart bottles must be recycled properly
- Many retailers accept used oil and empty containers
Culinary Measurements
Cooking and recipe measurements, particularly for liquids.
Recipe conversions:
- 2 cups = 1 pint = 0.5 quarts
- 4 cups = 2 pints = 1 quart
- 8 cups = 4 pints = 2 quarts = half-gallon
Common recipe calls:
- "Bring 4 quarts of salted water to boil" (pasta)
- "Add 2 quarts chicken stock" (soup)
- "Use 6-quart slow cooker" (appliance sizing)
Measurement accuracy:
- For precision baking: Use cups and ounces
- For large-batch cooking: Quarts convenient
- Professional kitchens: Often use weight (grams) instead
Gardening
Gardening (measuring soil, water).
Soil and amendments:
- Potting mix sold in quarts for small projects
- Plant containers sized in quarts (1-qt, 2-qt pots)
Watering:
- Watering cans often 1-2 quart capacity
- "Water with 1 quart per plant" instructions
Liquid fertilizers:
- Concentrated fertilizers in quart bottles
- Dilution instructions: "1 oz per quart of water"
When to Use fluid ounces
Beverage Industry Standard
Product Labeling: US beverages required to show fluid ounces:
- "Contents: 12 fl oz (355 mL)"
- "Serving size: 8 fl oz (240 mL)"
- Dual labeling helps metric-using countries
Serving Sizes: Standardized for nutrition labels:
- Soft drinks: 8 fl oz serving (though cans are 12 fl oz)
- Juice: 8 fl oz serving
- Energy drinks: varies, often 8 fl oz
Bar and Restaurant:
- Draft beer: served in 12 fl oz, 16 fl oz (pint), 20 fl oz sizes
- Wine by the glass: 5 fl oz, 6 fl oz, 9 fl oz pours
- Mixed drinks: recipes measured in fl oz (jiggers)
Cooking and Recipe Instructions
American Recipes: Nearly all US recipes use fluid ounces and cups:
- "Add 4 fl oz milk (1/2 cup)"
- "Pour in 8 fl oz chicken stock (1 cup)"
- Cups are more common, but fl oz appears on measuring cups
Liquid Measuring Cups: Marked with both:
- Fluid ounces: 2, 4, 6, 8 fl oz markings
- Cups: 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1 cup markings
- Milliliters: 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 mL markings
Recipe Scaling: Fluid ounces make doubling/halving easy:
- Original: 8 fl oz
- Double: 16 fl oz
- Half: 4 fl oz
Nutrition Facts and Food Labeling
Serving Size: US nutrition labels show fluid ounces:
- "Serving Size: 8 fl oz (240 mL)"
- "Servings Per Container: About 2 (16 fl oz bottle)"
Comparison Shopping: Unit pricing often per fluid ounce:
- "Price per fl oz: $0.15"
- Helps consumers compare different package sizes
Dietary Guidelines: Recommendations in fluid ounces:
- Water intake: 64 fl oz (8 cups) per day common guideline
- Juice limit: no more than 4-6 fl oz daily for children
Bartending and Mixology
Cocktail Recipes: Professional bartenders measure in fl oz:
- Margarita: 2 fl oz tequila, 1 fl oz lime juice, 1 fl oz triple sec
- Martini: 2.5 fl oz gin, 0.5 fl oz vermouth
- Old Fashioned: 2 fl oz whiskey, plus bitters and sugar
Bar Tools:
- Jigger: double-sided measuring cup (1 fl oz / 1.5 fl oz or 1 fl oz / 2 fl oz)
- Shot glass: 1.5 fl oz standard (though varies)
- Speed pourer: trained bartenders pour accurate fl oz by count
Standard Drink Definition: US defines standard drink as:
- 1.5 fl oz distilled spirits (40% ABV)
- 5 fl oz wine (12% ABV)
- 12 fl oz beer (5% ABV)
Cosmetics and Personal Care
Product Sizing: Cosmetics sold in fluid ounces:
- Perfume: 0.5 fl oz, 1 fl oz, 1.7 fl oz, 3.4 fl oz
- Foundation: 1 fl oz, 1.7 fl oz typical
- Shampoo/conditioner: 8 fl oz, 12 fl oz, 16 fl oz, 32 fl oz
TSA Liquid Limit: Air travel restrictions:
- Maximum container: 3.4 fl oz (100 mL)
- Total carry-on: 1 quart bag (32 fl oz capacity)
Travel Sizes: Products marketed as "TSA-friendly":
- 3 fl oz or smaller containers
Additional Unit Information
About Quart (qt)
How many pints are in a US quart?
There are exactly 2 US liquid pints in 1 US liquid quart. This is a fundamental relationship: quart = 2 pints, pint = 1/2 quart. For example, a quart of milk equals two pint-sized servings.
How many cups are in a US quart?
There are exactly 4 US customary cups in 1 US liquid quart. This is one of the most useful kitchen conversions: 1 quart = 4 cups = 32 fluid ounces. For cooking, remember that doubling a 2-cup measurement gives you 1 quart.
Is a US quart the same as an Imperial quart?
No. The US liquid quart (≈ 0.946 L) is about 20% smaller than the Imperial quart (≈ 1.137 L). The US quart is based on the wine gallon (231 cubic inches ÷ 4), while the Imperial quart is based on the larger Imperial gallon (277.42 cubic inches ÷ 4). When using British or Canadian recipes, you must convert: 1 Imperial quart = 1.2 US quarts.
How many fluid ounces are in a quart?
There are exactly 32 US fluid ounces in 1 US liquid quart. This is standard across all liquid measurements: milk cartons, broth containers, and juice bottles labeled "1 quart" contain 32 fl oz. Remember: 8 oz = 1 cup, 16 oz = 1 pint, 32 oz = 1 quart, 128 oz = 1 gallon.
How many quarts are in a gallon?
There are exactly 4 quarts in 1 US gallon. The word "quart" literally means "quarter" (of a gallon). This makes gallon-to-quart conversion easy: 1 gallon = 4 quarts, half-gallon = 2 quarts, quarter-gallon = 1 quart.
Is a quart bigger than a liter?
No, a US quart (946 mL) is slightly smaller than a liter (1,000 mL) by about 5.4%. Think of it this way: 1 liter = 1.057 quarts (about 5.7% more). For rough estimates, you can approximate 1 quart ≈ 1 liter, but for precision cooking or measurements, use the exact conversion: 1 qt = 0.946 L.
Why is motor oil sold in quarts?
Motor oil is sold in quarts because most engine oil capacities are 4-6 quarts, making quart bottles convenient for oil changes and top-ups. The quart size prevents overfilling (adding a full gallon would be too much) and allows mechanics and car owners to add exactly the amount needed. This standard has persisted for over a century in the automotive industry. Most oil change intervals involve draining the old oil and adding 4-5 individual quart bottles.
What is a dry quart?
A dry quart is a separate US measurement (1.101 liters) used for measuring dry goods like berries, grains, and produce, about 16% larger than the liquid quart (0.946 L). However, dry quarts are rarely used today—most dry goods are sold by weight (pounds/ounces or grams/kilograms) rather than volume. When you see "quart" in everyday use, it almost always refers to the liquid quart. Historical note: Farmers' markets occasionally sell berries by the "dry quart" basket.
How many quarts in a 2-liter soda bottle?
A 2-liter soda bottle contains approximately 2.11 US quarts. To convert liters to quarts, multiply by 1.057: 2 L × 1.057 = 2.114 quarts. This is slightly more than 2 quarts (which would be 1.89 liters). For comparison: 1 quart = 946 mL, so 2 quarts = 1.89 L, meaning the 2-liter bottle has about 110 mL (4 oz) extra.
Can I use a quart jar for canning?
Yes, quart-sized Mason jars (32 oz) are standard for home canning and preserving. They're ideal for pickles, tomatoes, jams, sauces, and preserved fruits/vegetables. Canning recipes often specify yields in quarts (e.g., "makes 6 quarts"). Make sure to use proper canning procedures with tested recipes, as jar size affects processing time. Ball and Kerr make standardized quart canning jars designed to withstand boiling water bath or pressure canning.
Why do recipes use quarts instead of liters?
Recipes in the United States use quarts because the US has not adopted the metric system for everyday measurements. Quarts align with other US customary units (cups, pints, gallons) used in American cookbooks, measuring cups, and kitchen tools. Converting recipes to metric would require replacing all standard US measuring equipment. While professional chefs and bakers increasingly use weight (grams), home cooks still predominantly use volume measurements like quarts, cups, and tablespoons.
Conversion Table: Quart to Fluid ounce
| Quart (qt) | Fluid ounce (fl oz) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 16 |
| 1 | 32 |
| 1.5 | 48 |
| 2 | 64 |
| 5 | 160 |
| 10 | 320 |
| 25 | 800 |
| 50 | 1,600 |
| 100 | 3,200 |
| 250 | 8,000 |
| 500 | 16,000 |
| 1,000 | 32,000 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Quart to Fluid ounce?
To convert Quart to Fluid ounce, enter the value in Quart 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 Quart to Fluid ounce?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Quart and Fluid ounce. 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 Fluid ounce back to Quart?
Yes! You can easily convert Fluid ounce back to Quart by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Fluid ounce to Quart converter page. You can also explore other volume conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Quart and Fluid ounce?
Quart and Fluid ounce 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.
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⚖️ Metric vs Imperial
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⚠️ Common Mistakes
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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