Convert liters to cups (L to cup)
To convert liters to cups, multiply the value in liters by 1,000 to get milliliters, then divide by 236.5882365 — about 4.22675 cups per liter. It helps you measure larger quantities — soup, stock, punch, rice water — when a recipe gives liters and you only have US measuring cups. This liters to cups converter works both ways: type liters or cups into either box above and the other box, the worked formula and the chart below update as you type.
The liter (L), or litre, is a metric unit of volume. Since 1964 it has been defined as exactly one cubic decimeter, or 1,000 cubic centimeters. Liters are used for fuel, bottled drinks, engine sizes and fridge capacity in most of the world. One liter is 4.22675 US cups.
The US customary cup is 8 US fluid ounces, or half a US pint — exactly 236.5882365 mL. Going the other way, one US cup equals 0.236588 liters. It is the standard measuring cup in American recipes. US nutrition labels use a rounded 240 mL cup, while Australia, New Zealand and Canada use a 250 mL metric cup.
How to convert liters to cups with this tool
- Type a number into the Liters (L) box — it starts at 1 L as an example.
- Read the answer in the US cups (cup) box and in the result panel, which also shows the formula with your number.
- To go the other way, type into the cups box and the liters value is worked out backwards. For other units, open the cooking converter.
- Choose how many decimal places you want, or tap a quick value such as 0.25 L, 0.5 L, 1.5 L.
- Press Copy result to paste the conversion into a message, spreadsheet or note.
Liters to Cups converter features
Converts both ways
Type in the liters box to get cups, or in the cups box to get liters. The other box follows instantly.
Exact factor
Calculations use 1 cup = 0.2365882365 L, and rounding is applied only to the answer you see — choose Auto or 0–10 decimal places.
Formula with your number
The working is shown under the result, for example 1 L × 1,000 ÷ 236.5882365 = 4.2268 cups, so you can check it or copy the method.
Quick values and chart
Tap common values like 0.25 L, 0.5 L, 1.5 L, or read the liters-to-cups table further down this page.
Metric cups too
The answer is also given in 250 mL metric cups — exactly four per liter.
Liters to Cups formula
The formula is cups = L × 1,000 ÷ 236.5882365. It is exact because a US cup is exactly 236.5882365 mL, which is 0.2365882365 L.
The reverse formula is L = cups × 236.5882365 ÷ 1,000. Three worked examples:
- One liter of stock: 1 L × 1,000 ÷ 236.5882365 = 4.2268 cups
- A 2 L bottle: 2 L × 1,000 ÷ 236.5882365 = 8.4535 cups
- Half a liter: 0.5 L × 1,000 ÷ 236.5882365 = 2.1134 cups
Which cup does your recipe mean?
Cup sizes differ by country, and the difference adds up in baking. This converter uses the US customary cup and shows the 250 mL metric cup under the result: 1 L = 4.2268 cups, while 1 L = 4 metric cups. The main sizes are:
- US customary cup — 236.5882365 mL (8 US fl oz). Used on this page.
- US “legal” cup — 240 mL, used on US nutrition labels.
- Metric cup — 250 mL, used in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
- Imperial cup — 284.130625 mL (half an imperial pint), found in older British recipes.
Liters to Cups quick reference
The values people look up most often, worked out with the exact factor:
- 1 L = 4.22675 cups
- 1 cup = 0.236588 L
- 0.25 L = 1.0567 cups
- 0.5 L = 2.1134 cups
- 1.5 L = 6.3401 cups
- 2 L = 8.4535 cups
Quick tip: Multiply by 4 and add about 5%: 2 L ≈ 8 + 0.4 = 8.4 cups, close to the exact 8.4535 cups.
Related conversions: Liters to Gallons, ML to Cups and the full cooking converter.
Liters to Cups conversion table
Values in cups are rounded to 4 decimal places (more for very small numbers). For any value not listed, type it into the converter above.
| L | cups | L | cups |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.4227 | 1.5 | 6.3401 |
| 0.2 | 0.8454 | 1.75 | 7.3968 |
| 0.25 | 1.0567 | 2 | 8.4535 |
| 0.3 | 1.268 | 2.5 | 10.5669 |
| 0.4 | 1.6907 | 3 | 12.6803 |
| 0.5 | 2.1134 | 3.5 | 14.7936 |
| 0.6 | 2.5361 | 4 | 16.907 |
| 0.75 | 3.1701 | 5 | 21.1338 |
| 1 | 4.2268 | 10 | 42.2675 |
| 1.25 | 5.2834 |
Liters to Cups FAQ
How many US cups is 1.5 L?
1.5 liters is 6.3401 US cups: 1.5 L × 1,000 ÷ 236.5882365 = 6.3401 cups.
How do I convert liters to cups?
Multiply the value in liters by 1,000 to get milliliters, then divide by 236.5882365 — about 4.22675 cups per liter. For example, 3 L × 1,000 ÷ 236.5882365 = 12.6803 cups. To convert back, multiply the number of cups by 236.5882365 and divide by 1,000.
How many liters are in one US cup?
One US cup is 0.2366 liters, because 1 cup × 236.5882365 ÷ 1,000 = 0.2366 L.
What is 3 liters in cups?
How many metric cups are in a liter?
Exactly four 250 mL metric cups. In US customary cups, 1 L = 4.2268 cups — a little more than four.