Convert cup (US) to liter.
cup-us to L — formula, reference values, and a live converter.
Convert cup (US) (cup-us) to liter (L). This is a fixed-ratio conversion — multiply the input by the factor below.
Formula
L = cup-us × 0.236588
Reference values
| cup-us (cup (US)) | L (liter) |
|---|---|
| 1 cup-us | 0.23659 L |
| 2 cup-us | 0.47318 L |
| 5 cup-us | 1.1829 L |
| 10 cup-us | 2.3659 L |
| 25 cup-us | 5.9147 L |
| 50 cup-us | 11.829 L |
| 100 cup-us | 23.659 L |
| 500 cup-us | 118.29 L |
| 1000 cup-us | 236.59 L |
Things to watch for
- US and UK gallons are different. 1 US gal = 3.785 L; 1 UK (imperial) gal = 4.546 L. Recipes from the UK will not work with US cups.
- Volume scales as the cube of length: doubling a container's dimensions multiplies volume by 8, not 2.
- For viscous or compressible fluids, volume changes with temperature and pressure. Specify conditions for precise work.
What is a US cup?
One US cup equals exactly 8 US fluid ounces or about 236.588 milliliters. American recipes.
What is a liter?
One liter equals exactly 1,000 milliliters or 0.001 cubic meters. Beverages, fuel, and most everyday liquid measurement worldwide.
How to picture a cup
These anchors can be useful when sizing up a value. 1 cup is a typical mug of coffee; 4 cups is one US quart.
How to convert US cup to liter
To convert a value from US cup (cup (US)) to liter (L), apply the conversion factor shown in the formula above. The calculation is the same whether you do it by hand, in a spreadsheet, or with the live converter on this page.
Steps:
- Take your input value in cup (US).
- Apply the formula
L = cup-us × 0.236588. - The result is your value in L.
For repeated calculations, save the formula in a spreadsheet or use the live converter at the top of this page — it handles the math automatically and displays the result as you type.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert cup (US) to L?
Apply the formula cup (US) → L shown above, or just type your value into the converter at the top of this page. The result updates instantly.
Which is bigger, cup (US) or L?
This depends on the conversion ratio in the formula. If the factor multiplied by your value gives a larger number, then L is the smaller unit (so it takes more of them to express the same quantity). If the result is smaller, then L is the larger unit.
When would I use cup (US) versus L?
Both units measure volume, so the choice depends on context. Us cup is typically used for cooking, beverages, fuel, and industrial fluid handling; liter similarly. Most professional fields standardize on one or the other based on regional conventions or technical tradition.
How precise is this cup (US) to L conversion?
The conversion factor shown is the internationally defined exact value (or the best-published approximation if the relationship is irrational, like degrees-to-radians). The live converter on this page uses double-precision floating-point math, accurate to about 15 significant digits — far beyond any practical engineering need.
Is the conversion ratio exact, or an approximation?
Most unit conversions between SI metric units, and between SI and US customary units, have been formally defined as exact values since the 1959 international yard-pound agreement and subsequent SI redefinitions. Exceptions are unit pairs that involve irrational numbers (radians, e.g.) or empirical conversions (like food calories, which depend on temperature). When in doubt, consult the formula at the top of this page.
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