How this converter works
We use the liter as the “hub.” Any unit you give us is converted to liters, and then liters are converted to the unit you want. This keeps rounding consistent and lets us support both volume (m³, cm³) and capacity (L, mL, gal, cups).
Formulas
Liters = value × factorToLiter[unit]
Target value = liters ÷ factorToLiter[targetUnit]
Example: 3 US gallons → L → UK pints
3 × 3.785411784 = 11.356235352 L
UK pint factor = 0.56826125 L → 11.356235352 ÷ 0.56826125 ≈ 19.98 UK pints
Volume vs capacity
Volume is geometric (cubic units). Capacity is practical and often depends on the container standard in your country. A 1 L bottle and a 1000 cm³ cube hold the same amount of liquid, but one is described in capacity units, the other in volume units.
FAQ
1. Why are my cookbook cups not matching?
Some cookbooks use 240 mL, others 250 mL, but US legal cup is 240 mL and US “customary” cup is ~236.59 mL. We use 236.5882365 mL which is common in converter sites.
2. How do I explain this to students?
Start from 1 L = 1000 mL = 1000 cm³. Then show that 1 m³ = 1000 L. After they’re confident, introduce gallons and cups as just “other names” for fixed volumes.
3. Can I use this for lab work?
Yes, but for high-precision work use the actual glassware tolerance. This tool is great for planning and quick conversions.