Liters (L)

The liter is a non-SI unit of volume accepted for use with the SI, defined as one cubic decimeter (dm³), or 1,000 cubic centimeters. It is commonly used to measure liquids and gases in everyday and scientific contexts [bipm-si-brochure].

Origin

The liter was introduced in France in 1795 as part of the metric system to simplify volume measurement. It was based on the volume of one kilogram of water at maximum density, later standardized as one cubic decimeter [bipm-si-brochure].

Worldwide Use

Liters are widely used worldwide for measuring liquids, such as fuel, beverages, and chemicals. It is the preferred unit in most countries except the United States, where gallons remain common alongside liters in scientific settings [nist-si-guide].

Common References

  • A typical soda bottle contains 2 liters
  • A car fuel tank may hold about 50 liters
  • A standard milk carton is usually 1 liter
  • A teaspoon holds approximately 5 milliliters (0.005 liters)
  • A bathtub can hold around 150 to 200 liters
LitersMilliliters1 L = 1,000 mLLitersCubic Meters1 L = 0.001 LitersCubic Centimeters1 L = 1,000 cm³LitersCubic Millimeters1 L = 1,000,000 mm³LitersCubic Inches1 L = 61.0237 in³LitersCubic Feet1 L = 0.0353 ft³LitersCubic Yards1 L = 0.0013 yd³LitersUS Gallons1 L = 0.2642 US galLitersUS Quarts1 L = 1.0567 US qtLitersUS Pints1 L = 2.1134 US ptLitersUS Cups1 L = 4.2268 US cupLitersUS Fluid Ounces1 L = 33.814 US fl ozLitersUS Tablespoons1 L = 67.628 US tbspLitersUS Teaspoons1 L = 202.8841 US tspLitersImperial Gallons1 L = 0.22 imp galLitersImperial Quarts1 L = 0.8799 imp qtLitersImperial Pints1 L = 1.7598 imp ptLitersImperial Cups1 L = 3.5195 imp cupLitersImperial Fluid Ounces1 L = 35.1951 imp fl ozLitersImperial Tablespoons1 L = 56.3121 imp tbspLitersImperial Teaspoons1 L = 168.9364 imp tspLitersDeciliters1 L = 10 dLLitersCentiliters1 L = 100 cLLitersMicroliters1 L = 1,000,000 µLLitersHectoliters1 L = 0.01 hLLitersKiloliters1 L = 0.001 kLLitersMegaliters1 L = 0 MLLitersDrops1 L = 20,000 gttLitersBarrels (Oil)1 L = 0.0063 bblLitersBarrels (US)1 L = 0.0084 US bblLitersBarrels (Imperial)1 L = 0.0061 imp bblLitersBushels (US)1 L = 0.0284 US buLitersBushels (Imperial)1 L = 0.0275 imp buLitersPecks (US)1 L = 0.1135 US pkLitersGills (US)1 L = 8.4535 US giLitersGills (Imperial)1 L = 7.039 imp giLitersMinims (US)1 L = 16,230.7361 US minLitersMinims (Imperial)1 L = 16,893.6326 imp minLitersFluid Drams (US)1 L = 270.5122 US fl drLitersFluid Drams (Imperial)1 L = 281.5606 imp fl drLitersCord1 L = 0.0003 cdLitersHogshead1 L = 0.0042 hhdLitersAcre-Feet1 L = 0 ac⋅ftLitersBoard Feet1 L = 0.4238 FBMLitersDram1 L = 270.5122 drLitersShot1 L = 22.5427 jig