Quart (qt) - Unit Information & Conversion

Quick Answer: What is a US Quart?

A US liquid quart (qt) is a unit of volume equal to one-quarter of a US gallon, or 32 fluid ounces (946 milliliters). It's commonly used in the United States for measuring beverages (milk, juice, broth), motor oil, paint, and cooking liquids. 1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups = 32 fl oz. For reference: a standard milk carton is often 1 quart, a typical can of chicken broth is 1 quart (32 oz), and motor oil is sold in 1-quart bottles. The US quart is about 20% smaller than the Imperial quart (1.137 L) used in the UK and Canada, so recipes and measurements require conversion when crossing international borders.

Comparison Table

Volume	US Quarts (qt)	Fluid Ounces (fl oz)	Liters (L)	Cups	Pints
Small juice box	0.25 qt	8 fl oz	0.237 L	1 cup	0.5 pint
Pint glass	0.5 qt	16 fl oz	0.473 L	2 cups	1 pint
Standard water bottle	0.66 qt	21 fl oz	0.621 L	2.6 cups	1.3 pints
One US quart	1 qt	32 fl oz	0.946 L	4 cups	2 pints
Milk carton	1 qt	32 fl oz	0.946 L	4 cups	2 pints
Large soda bottle	2 qt	64 fl oz	1.89 L	8 cups	4 pints
Half gallon	2 qt	64 fl oz	1.89 L	8 cups	4 pints
One gallon	4 qt	128 fl oz	3.79 L	16 cups	8 pints
5-quart pot	5 qt	160 fl oz	4.73 L	20 cups	10 pints

Explore related volume units: gallon (US) • pint (US) • cup (US) • fluid ounce • liter • milliliter

Definition

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)

History

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

Real-World Examples

Grocery Store Beverages

Quart-sized containers at supermarkets:

Milk:

• Standard milk carton: 1 quart (32 fl oz / 946 mL)
• Common sizes: Pint (16 oz), quart (32 oz), half-gallon (64 oz), gallon (128 oz)
• Pricing: Quart typically $2-$4 depending on type (whole, 2%, skim, organic)
• Usage: Good for 1-2 people or single-recipe needs

Juice:

• Orange juice: Often sold in quarts (32 oz)
• Apple juice: Quart bottles common
• Cranberry juice: 32 oz quart size standard
• Premium juices: Fresh-squeezed often in quart containers

Broth and stock:

• Chicken/beef/vegetable broth: Standard is 32 oz (1 quart) carton
• Recipe alignment: Most soup recipes call for 1-2 quarts broth
• Alternative sizes: 14.5 oz can (less common) or 48 oz (1.5 quarts)

Cream and dairy products:

• Heavy whipping cream: Often 1 quart for bakeries/restaurants
• Half-and-half: Retail quarts available
• Buttermilk: Quart cartons common

Automotive Fluids

Motor oil in quart bottles:

Engine oil:

• Standard bottle: 1 quart (32 fl oz / 946 mL)
• Why quarts: Most engines need 4-6 quarts for oil change
• Pricing: $3-$15 per quart depending on brand/grade
• Common purchase: Buy 5-quart jugs or individual quarts

Oil change quantities:

• 4-cylinder engine: Typically 4-5 quarts
• 6-cylinder engine: Typically 5-6 quarts
• 8-cylinder engine: Typically 6-8 quarts
• Diesel truck: 10-15 quarts
• Motorcycle: 2-4 quarts

Other automotive fluids:

• Transmission fluid: Sold by quart
• Brake fluid: Often 32 oz (1 quart) bottles
• Coolant/antifreeze: Quarts and gallons available
• Power steering fluid: Quart bottles

Why quarts persist in automotive:

• Easy to add one quart at a time between oil changes
• Prevents overfilling (adding whole gallon risky)
• Industry standard for decades
• Dipsticks often marked in quarts ("Add 1 qt")

Cooking and Recipe Measurements

Quarts in the kitchen:

Common recipe quantities:

• Soup pot: Recipes often call for "6-quart pot" or "8-quart pot"
• Stock/broth: "Add 2 quarts chicken stock"
• Water for pasta: "Bring 4 quarts water to boil"
• Large-batch cooking: "2 quarts diced tomatoes"

Pot and pan sizes:

• Small saucepan: 1-2 quarts
• Medium saucepan: 2-3 quarts
• Large saucepan: 3-4 quarts
• Stock pot: 6-12 quarts (or larger)
• Dutch oven: Typically 5-7 quarts

Pitcher and container sizes:

• Water pitcher: Often 2-quart capacity
• Juice pitcher: 2-3 quarts typical
• Mixing bowl: Large bowls often 4-6 quart capacity
• Storage containers: Quart-sized for leftovers

Canning and preserving:

• Mason jars: Quart jars standard (32 oz)
• Canning recipes: Often yield "6 quarts" or "8 pints"
• Pickle jars: Quart size common for whole pickles

Conversion for baking:

• Most baking uses cups/ounces (more precise)
• Quarts useful for liquid ingredients in large batches
• 1 quart = 4 cups (easy conversion)

Paint and Home Improvement

Quart-sized paint cans:

Interior paint:

• Sample size: Often 8 oz (quarter-quart)
• Quart: Covers ~100 square feet (one coat)
• Gallon: Covers ~400 square feet
• Pricing: Quart typically $8-$15 (gallon $25-$50)

When to buy quarts:

• Touch-ups: Small repairs, single wall
• Accent wall: Quart often sufficient for small accent wall
• Trim/doors: Quart can cover several doors or trim
• Testing color: Buy quart before committing to gallon

Stains and finishes:

• Wood stain: Quarts common for small furniture projects
• Polyurethane: Quart size for home projects
• Varnish: Often sold by quart
• Primer: Quarts available for small jobs

Adhesives and sealants:

• Wood glue: Professional sizes often 1 quart
• Contact cement: Quarts for contractors
• Epoxy resin: Quart kits for crafts/repairs

Ice Cream and Frozen Desserts

Quart-sized ice cream containers:

Premium ice cream:

• Pint: 16 oz (2 cups) - individual/couple size
• Quart: 32 oz (4 cups) - family size
• Half-gallon: 64 oz - large family/party size

Artisanal ice cream:

• Local creameries often sell by quart
• Typically $8-$12 per quart
• 4 generous servings per quart

Frozen yogurt and gelato:

• Similar quart sizing
• Take-home containers often 1 quart

Gardening and Nurseries

Potting soil and plant containers:

Potting mix:

• Sold in quart, gallon, 2-gallon, and larger bags
• 1 quart bag: Small houseplants, seedlings
• Typical price: $3-$5 per quart (premium potting mix)

Plant container sizes:

• 1-quart pot: Small annuals, herbs, vegetables starts
• Typical plant height: 4-6 inches in 1-quart pot
• Transplant timing: Move to 1-gallon pot as plant grows

Garden amendments:

• Fertilizers: Sometimes sold by quart
• Soil conditioners: Quart bottles of liquid amendments

Commercial Food Service

Restaurant and institutional use:

Prep containers:

• Cambro containers: Standard 1, 2, 4, 6, 8-quart sizes
• Food storage: Quart containers for sauces, stocks, prepped ingredients
• Labeling: "2 qt marinara sauce" with date

Serving sizes:

• Catering: Sides often portioned by quart (serves 4-6)
• Soup: Quart-sized to-go containers
• Beverages: Commercial beverage dispensers measured in quarts

Common Uses

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"

Conversion Guide

Converting Quarts to Fluid Ounces

Method: Multiply by 32

• 1 quart = 32 fluid ounces (exactly)
• 2 quarts = 64 fl oz
• 0.5 quarts = 16 fl oz (1 pint)
• 0.25 quarts = 8 fl oz (1 cup)

Reverse (fl oz to quarts): Divide by 32

• 32 fl oz = 1 quart
• 16 fl oz = 0.5 quarts (1 pint)
• 8 fl oz = 0.25 quarts (1 cup)

Converting Quarts to Cups

Method: Multiply by 4

• 1 quart = 4 cups (exactly)
• 2 quarts = 8 cups
• 0.5 quarts = 2 cups (1 pint)
• 0.25 quarts = 1 cup

Reverse (cups to quarts): Divide by 4

• 4 cups = 1 quart
• 2 cups = 0.5 quarts (1 pint)

Converting Quarts to Pints

Method: Multiply by 2

• 1 quart = 2 pints (exactly)
• 2 quarts = 4 pints
• 0.5 quarts = 1 pint

Reverse (pints to quarts): Divide by 2

• 2 pints = 1 quart
• 4 pints = 2 quarts

Converting Quarts to Gallons

Method: Divide by 4

• 1 gallon = 4 quarts (exactly)
• 2 quarts = 0.5 gallons (half-gallon)
• 1 quart = 0.25 gallons (quarter-gallon)

Reverse (gallons to quarts): Multiply by 4

• 1 gallon = 4 quarts
• 0.5 gallons = 2 quarts

Converting Quarts to Liters

Method: Multiply by 0.946353

• 1 quart ≈ 0.946 liters
• 2 quarts ≈ 1.893 liters
• 4 quarts ≈ 3.785 liters (1 gallon)

Quick approximation: Subtract 5%

• 1 quart ≈ 0.95 liters (close enough for cooking)

Reverse (liters to quarts): Multiply by 1.057

• 1 liter ≈ 1.057 quarts (about 5.7% more)
• 2 liters ≈ 2.11 quarts

Converting Quarts to Milliliters

Method: Multiply by 946.35

• 1 quart = 946.35 milliliters (or 946 mL rounded)
• 0.5 quarts = 473 mL
• 2 quarts = 1,893 mL

Common Conversion Mistakes

1. Confusing US Quarts with Imperial Quarts

The error: Assuming all quarts are the same size.

Reality:

• US quart = 946 mL (0.946 L)
• Imperial quart = 1,137 mL (1.137 L)
• Imperial is 20% larger

Impact:

• UK recipe: "Add 2 quarts milk" = 2.27 L (need 2.4 US quarts)
• US recipe to UK: "1 quart" = only 0.83 Imperial quarts
• Baking especially sensitive to volume errors

Solution: Always specify "US quart" or "Imperial quart" for international recipes

2. Forgetting the 32-Ounce Conversion

The error: Using wrong fluid ounce conversion (e.g., 16 oz = 1 quart).

Reality: 1 quart = 32 fluid ounces, not 16

Common confusion:

• 16 fl oz = 1 pint (half-quart), not quart
• 8 fl oz = 1 cup (quarter-quart)

Example error:

• Recipe needs 2 quarts → Incorrectly uses 32 oz ❌ (actually need 64 oz)

3. Mixing Up Liquid Quarts and Dry Quarts

The error: Using liquid quart measurement for dry goods.

Reality:

• Liquid quart: 946 mL (for liquids)
• Dry quart: 1,101 mL (for berries, grains) - 16% larger
• Dry quarts rarely used (weight preferred)

When it matters: Farmers' market berries sometimes sold by dry quart, but most consumers assume liquid quart

4. Assuming Quart Equals 1 Liter

The error: Using 1 quart ≈ 1 liter for precision work.

Reality: 1 quart = 0.946 liters (5.4% smaller than liter)

When this fails:

• Baking: 5% error can ruin recipes
• Engine oil: Adding 1 liter instead of 1 quart = 54 mL extra (minor but accumulates)
• Paint: 1-quart can ≠ 1-liter can (coverage different)

When it works: Rough estimates, casual cooking (5% often negligible)

5. Confusing Quart Containers with Sizes

The error: Assuming "quart jar" always holds exactly 1 quart.

Reality:

• Mason jars: "Quart jar" holds 32 oz (exactly 1 quart) ✓
• Ice cream containers: "Quart" often slightly less (28-30 oz due to headspace)
• Paint cans: "Quart" standardized at 32 fl oz ✓

Check labels: Actual volume printed on container

6. Forgetting 4 Cups = 1 Quart

The error: Using wrong cup-to-quart conversion.

Reality: 1 quart = 4 cups (exactly)

Example errors:

• Thinking 2 cups = 1 quart ❌ (actually 2 cups = 1 pint = 0.5 quarts)
• Recipe calls for 3 quarts → Incorrectly using 6 cups ❌ (need 12 cups)

Memory aid: Quarter-quart = 1 cup (quart = 4 cups)

Quick Reference Card

Essential Quart Facts:

Measurement	Value
1 US quart	32 fluid ounces (exactly)
1 US quart	4 cups (exactly)
1 US quart	2 pints (exactly)
1 US quart	0.25 gallons (exactly)
1 US quart	946.35 milliliters
1 US quart	0.946 liters
1 liter	1.057 US quarts
1 gallon	4 quarts

Common Quart Containers:

• Milk carton: 1 quart (32 oz)
• Chicken broth: 1 quart (32 oz)
• Motor oil bottle: 1 quart
• Mason jar: Quart size (32 oz)
• Paint can: Quart size
• Ice cream: Quart container

Quick Conversions:

• 1 quart = 4 cups = 32 fl oz = 946 mL
• 2 quarts = 8 cups = 64 fl oz = half-gallon
• 4 quarts = 16 cups = 128 fl oz = 1 gallon

Your Next Steps

Ready to work with quarts? Choose your path:

Convert Quarts to Other Units

• Convert quarts to liters (multiply by 0.946)
• Convert quarts to cups (multiply by 4)
• Convert quarts to fluid ounces (multiply by 32)
• Convert quarts to gallons (divide by 4)

Explore Related Volume Units

• Gallon (US) - 4 quarts
• Pint (US) - 1/2 quart
• Cup (US) - 1/4 quart
• Fluid ounce - 1/32 quart
• Liter - Metric equivalent (slightly larger)
• Milliliter - 946 mL per quart

Learn About Cooking Measurements

• US cooking conversions - Complete guide
• Cooking conversions - Recipe measurements
• Cooking conversions - International recipes

Using our conversion tools, you can instantly convert any quart value to liters, cups, fluid ounces, or other volume units for cooking, automotive maintenance, and everyday measurements.