Liters to Cups Converter (L ⇄ Cups)
Convert liters to US cups instantly for cooking, baking, and beverages. 1 liter = 4.227 cups, 2 liters = 8.45 cups, 0.5 liter = 2.11 cups. This converter is perfect for international recipes and metric-to-imperial conversions.
Liters ⇄ Cups Calculator
Convert Liter (L) to US cup and back. Perfect for fast cooking & baking conversions.
Key fact: 1 liter = 4.227 cups • 1 cup = 236.6 mL = 0.237 L
How many cups in 1 liter?
1 liter = 4.227 US cups (approximately 4 1/4 cups)
The exact conversion is 4.22675 cups. This uses the standard US cup measurement (236.588 mL).
Complete Liters to Cups Conversion Chart
Quick reference table for converting liters to US cups. All measurements use the standard US cup (236.588 mL).
Common Liter Measurements
| Liters (L) | US Cups | Milliliters (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 L | 1.06 cups | 250 mL (1 metric cup) |
| 0.5 L | 2.11 cups | 500 mL |
| 0.75 L | 3.17 cups | 750 mL |
| 1 L | 4.23 cups | 1,000 mL |
| 1.5 L | 6.34 cups | 1,500 mL |
| 2 L | 8.45 cups | 2,000 mL |
| 3 L | 12.68 cups | 3,000 mL |
| 4 L | 16.91 cups | 4,000 mL (approx. 1 gallon) |
| 5 L | 21.13 cups | 5,000 mL |
Cups to Liters
| US Cups | Liters (L) | Milliliters (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 0.237 L | 236.6 mL |
| 2 cups | 0.473 L | 473.2 mL (1 pint) |
| 4 cups | 0.946 L | 946.4 mL (1 quart) |
| 8 cups | 1.893 L | 1,893 mL (1/2 gallon) |
| 16 cups | 3.785 L | 3,785 mL (1 gallon) |
How to Convert Liters to Cups
✓ The Formula
cups = liters × 4.227
Or more precisely: cups = liters × 4.22675
To go the other way: liters = cups ÷ 4.227 (or cups × 0.2366)
Step-by-Step Examples
Example 1: Convert 2 liters to cups
- Start with the amount: 2 liters
- Multiply by 4.227: 2 × 4.227 = 8.454 cups
- Result: 2 liters ≈ 8.5 cups (or 8 1/2 cups)
Example 2: Convert 0.5 liter to cups
- Start with the amount: 0.5 liter (500 mL)
- Multiply by 4.227: 0.5 × 4.227 = 2.114 cups
- Result: 0.5 liter ≈ 2.1 cups (or 2 cups)
Example 3: Convert 4 cups to liters
- Start with cups: 4 cups
- Divide by 4.227: 4 ÷ 4.227 = 0.946 liters
- Result: 4 cups ≈ 0.95 liter (or about 950 mL)
Quick Mental Math Trick
For rough estimates in the kitchen:
- 1 liter ≈ 4 cups: Easy to remember and close enough for most cooking
- 2 liters ≈ 8 cups: Double it
- 0.5 liter ≈ 2 cups: Half of 1 liter
These rounded numbers are within 5% of exact values and work fine for everyday cooking.
US Cups vs Metric Cups: Understanding the Difference
Not all "cups" are the same size! Different countries use different cup standards.
⚠️ Important: Cup Types
| US Cup: | 236.588 mL (0.237 L) |
| Metric Cup: | 250 mL (0.25 L) - Australia, NZ, Canada |
| UK Cup: | 250 mL (metric) or 284 mL (imperial) |
| Japanese Cup: | 200 mL (0.2 L) |
This converter uses US cups (236.588 mL). If following a metric recipe, 1 liter = 4 metric cups exactly.
Common Beverage Sizes in Liters and Cups
| Container | Liters | US Cups |
|---|---|---|
| Small water bottle | 0.5 L (500 mL) | ~2.1 cups |
| Standard water bottle | 1 L | ~4.2 cups |
| Large water bottle | 1.5 L | ~6.3 cups |
| Soda bottle (large) | 2 L | ~8.5 cups |
| Wine bottle | 0.75 L (750 mL) | ~3.2 cups |
| Milk carton (small) | 1 L | ~4.2 cups |
| Gallon of milk | 3.785 L | 16 cups |
Practical Tips for Converting Liters to Cups
🌍 International Recipes
European recipes often list liquids in liters or milliliters. Use this converter to adapt them to US cup measurements for easier cooking.
📏 Measuring Accuracy
For liquids, use liquid measuring cups with clear markings. Place on a flat surface and read at eye level for accuracy.
🥤 Beverage Planning
When planning beverages for events: 1 liter serves about 4 cups. A 2-liter bottle serves approximately 8 people with 1-cup servings.
⚖️ Weight vs Volume
Liters and cups measure volume, not weight. 1 liter of water weighs 1 kg, but 1 liter of oil weighs less. For baking precision, use weight (grams) when possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cups in 1 liter?
1 liter = 4.227 US cups (approximately 4 1/4 cups). The exact conversion is 4.22675 cups. This is a standard volume measurement using US cups (236.588 mL each).
How many cups in 2 liters?
2 liters = 8.45 US cups (approximately 8 1/2 cups). This is double the amount of 1 liter. A 2-liter soda bottle equals about 8.5 cups.
How many cups in 0.5 liters?
0.5 liter (500 mL) = 2.11 US cups (approximately 2 cups). This is half of a liter and a common water bottle size.
How many liters in 1 cup?
1 US cup = 0.237 liters (or 236.6 mL). To convert cups to liters, divide by 4.227 or multiply by 0.2366.
Is a US cup the same as a metric cup?
No. US cup = 236.588 mL (0.237 L) while metric cup = 250 mL (0.25 L). The difference is about 13.4 mL. Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian recipes typically use metric cups, where 1 liter = 4 metric cups exactly.
How many cups in 1.5 liters?
1.5 liters = 6.34 US cups (approximately 6 1/3 cups). This is a common size for large water bottles. Formula: 1.5 × 4.227 = 6.34 cups.
How many cups of water should I drink daily?
The common recommendation is 8 cups (about 2 liters or 64 fluid ounces) of water per day. However, individual needs vary based on activity level, climate, and health. Two 1-liter bottles equals approximately 8.5 cups.
How many cups in a gallon?
1 US gallon = 16 cups = 3.785 liters. This is a useful conversion for large-batch cooking or beverage planning.
Why do European recipes use liters instead of cups?
Most of the world uses the metric system, which includes liters and milliliters for volume. The US primarily uses the imperial system with cups, ounces, and gallons. Professional baking worldwide often uses weight (grams) rather than volume for accuracy.
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Note
US measurements unless noted. This converter uses standard US cups (236.588 mL). Metric cups used in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada are 250 mL. Always verify which cup measurement your recipe uses for best results.