Convert US quarts to liters for cooking like a pro
1 qt x 0.946353 = 0.946353 L
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Ever tried making boeuf bourguignon from a French cookbook only to stare blankly at "2 litres de bouillon"? Or maybe your new Dutch oven’s capacity is listed in quarts, but your favorite bread recipe uses liters? This quarts-to-liters conversion guide is your kitchen lifeline – whether you’re doubling soup recipes, interpreting European cookbooks, or deciphering appliance manuals.
Unit definitions
What is a US quart (qt)?
The quart – that workhorse of American kitchens – has been measuring out our soups, stocks, and strawberry harvests since colonial days. One US quart equals exactly 4 cups, 2 pints, or a quarter of a gallon. You’ll find it stamped on slow cookers, used in canning recipes, and called for in classic cookbooks.
- Symbol: qt
- Common uses: Measuring large liquid volumes, appliance capacities, bulk ingredients
- Definition: 1 US liquid quart = 57.75 cubic inches = 1/4 US gallon
What is a liter (L)?
The liter is the metric system’s answer to liquid measurement, used everywhere from Parisian patisseries to Tokyo tempura shops. Slightly larger than a quart, it’s the standard unit in most countries for recipe measurements and beverage sizes.
- Symbol: L or l
- Common uses: International recipes, nutritional labels, scientific measurements
- Definition: 1 liter = 1 cubic decimeter = 1000 cubic centimeters
Conversion formula
The magic number for kitchen conversions:
1 US quart = 0.946353 liters
1 liter ≈ 1.05669 US quarts
To convert quarts to liters:
Liters = Quarts × 0.946353
To convert liters to quarts:
Quarts = Liters × 1.05669
Example calculations
- Converting 2 quarts of chicken stock to liters:
2 qt × 0.946353 = 1.8927 L → rounds to 1.893 liters - A European recipe calls for 5 liters of pickling brine:
5 L × 1.05669 = 5.28345 qt → about 5 1/4 US quarts
Conversion tables
US quarts to liters
| Quarts | Liters |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.946 |
| 2 | 1.893 |
| 3 | 2.839 |
| 4 | 3.785 |
| 5 | 4.732 |
| 6 | 5.678 |
| 7 | 6.624 |
| 8 | 7.571 |
| 9 | 8.517 |
| 10 | 9.464 |
Liters to US quarts
| Liters | Quarts |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1.057 |
| 2 | 2.113 |
| 3 | 3.170 |
| 4 | 4.227 |
| 5 | 5.283 |
| 6 | 6.340 |
| 7 | 7.397 |
| 8 | 8.454 |
| 9 | 9.511 |
| 10 | 10.567 |
Historical background
The quart’s story begins in medieval England, where it was defined as 1/4 of a gallon – literally a "quarter" gallon. When American colonists brought the measurement system across the Atlantic, they tweaked it slightly, creating the US liquid quart we use today. Fun fact: teh original British wine gallon that defined these measurements was based on the volume of 8 troy pounds of wine!
The liter entered the scene during the French Revolution’s measurement overhaul. Scientists originally defined it in 1795 as the volume of 1 kilogram of water, though modern precision redefined it via cubic measurements. Despite the US clinging to quarts for everyday use, even American soda bottles switch to liters during the 1970's metrication push.
Interesting facts?
- Your 4-quart Dutch oven holds about 3.785 liters – almost exactly 1 gallon
- US and Imperial quarts differ by nearly 20% – crucial when using UK recipes
- The original 1793 liter definition used a copper prototype called the "cadil"
- Most 2-liter soda bottles hold 2.113 US quarts
- Professional chefs often prefer metric measurements for their precision
FAQ
The US customary system remains prevalent in home kitchens, though many modern recipes include metric equivalents.
Multiply quart measurements by 0.946. For 4 quarts of broth, use 3.785 liters.
No, 1 US quart equals 0.833 Imperial quarts. Always check your measurement system.
Yes, but remember 1 liter equals about 1.057 US quarts. Adjustments may be needed for precise baking.
A standard US quart container holds approximately 0.946 liters of ice cream.