Cups to Liters Converter

Relationship Between Cups and Liters

The conversion between cups and liters is based on the relationship where 1 US cup equals approximately 0.236588 liters.

1 cup = 0.236588 L

Therefore,

1 L = 4.22675 cups

To convert cups to liters, we multiply the value in cups by 0.236588.

For example, 1 cup equals 0.236588 liters, and 4 cups equal approximately 0.946 liters.

Cup

What is a Cup?

A cup is a unit of volume measurement commonly used in cooking and baking, particularly in the United States. The US customary cup equals approximately 236.588 milliliters or 0.236588 liters. It is divided into smaller units such as tablespoons and teaspoons.

History and Origin of the Cup

The cup as a measurement unit has been used for centuries in cooking, though its exact volume has varied by region and time period. The modern US customary cup was standardized in the late 19th century and is now widely used in American recipes and cookbooks.

Modern Applications of Cups

Cups are primarily used in cooking and baking recipes in the United States and some other countries. They provide a convenient way to measure both liquid and dry ingredients. However, many professional kitchens and international recipes prefer metric measurements like milliliters and grams for greater precision.

Different Cup Standards

It's important to note that different countries have different cup sizes. The US customary cup is 236.588 mL, while the metric cup used in countries like Australia and New Zealand is 250 mL, and the imperial cup (used historically in the UK) is approximately 284 mL. This converter uses the US customary cup standard.

Liter

What is a Liter (L)?

A liter (symbol: L) is a unit of volume in the metric system, equal to one cubic decimeter (1 L = 1 dm³ = 0.001 m³). It is widely used for measuring liquids and is one of the most common volume units worldwide.

History and Origin of the Liter

The liter was introduced in France in 1795 during the French Revolution as part of the metric system. Originally defined as the volume of one kilogram of water at maximum density, it has since been redefined to equal exactly one cubic decimeter.

Modern Applications of Liters

Liters are used globally for measuring beverages, fuel, and other liquids. They are the standard unit for liquid volume in most countries and are essential in cooking, commerce, scientific applications, and everyday life. In countries using the metric system, recipes typically specify liquid ingredients in milliliters or liters rather than cups.

Cup to Liter Conversion Table

The conversion of cups to liters for certain values are provided below: