A metric cup is 250 milliliters.
Metric cups to Quarts Converter — metric cup to qt
Convert Metric cup (metric cup) to Quart (qt) using the exact conversion factor (1 metric cup = 0.2641720524 quart). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Metric cups to Quarts converter
Converter
Cooking Converter
Convert cooking volume and mass units used in recipes and nutrition workflows.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
A US liquid quart is one quarter of a US gallon.
Result = input x 0.00025 / 0.000946352946.
Volume units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Metric cups to Quarts
Metric cup and Quart both show up in recipes, and converting between them matters whenever a recipe from one country's cookbook needs to be followed with another country's measuring tools. Metric cup is typically associated with australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada (recipes and cooking measurement), while Quart is typically associated with united States (cooking, dairy, motor oil packaging).
Formula
quarts = metric cups × 0.264172052358
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 metric cup equals 0.00025 base units, and 1 quart equals 0.000946352946 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct metric cup-to-quart factor of 0.264172052358.
Simple example
1 metric cup × 0.2641720524 = 0.2641720524 qt
1 metric cup = 0.2641720524 quarts.
Real-world example
2 metric cup × 0.2641720524 = 0.5283441047 qt
2 metric cups = 0.5283441047 quarts.
Conversion table
| Metric cup (metric cup) | Quart (qt) |
|---|---|
| 0.25 metric cup | 0.0660430131 qt |
| 0.5 metric cup | 0.1320860262 qt |
| 1 metric cup | 0.2641720524 qt |
| 2 metric cup | 0.5283441047 qt |
| 4 metric cup | 1.056688209 qt |
| 8 metric cup | 2.113376419 qt |
Reverse conversion: Quart to Metric cup
0.2641720524 qt × 3.785411784 = 1 metric cup
0.2641720524 quarts = 1 metric cups.
metric cups = quarts × 3.785411784
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Quart to Metric cup.
Metric cup vs. Quart
| Aspect | Metric cup | Quart |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Non-SI unit (culinary, metric countries) | US customary unit |
| Typical use | Recipe and cooking measurement in metric-using English-speaking countries | US recipe measurement (larger liquid volumes) |
| Where it's used | Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada (recipes and cooking measurement) | United States (cooking, dairy, motor oil packaging) |
Understanding the Metric cup
Metric cup (metric cup) measures volume. The metric cup used in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Canada is defined as exactly 250 milliliters. It is classified as a Non-SI unit (culinary, metric countries).
Where it's used: Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada (recipes and cooking measurement)
Metric cup vs. US cup. The metric cup (250 mL) is about 4% larger than the US cooking cup (240 mL) — small for most recipes, but worth checking when following a recipe from a different country.
Uses of the Metric cup today
- Recipe and cooking measurement in metric-using English-speaking countries
- Baking and portion measurement
History of the Metric cup
As Commonwealth countries metricated through the 20th century, cookbook publishers and standards bodies adopted a round 250 mL 'metric cup' so recipes could use a convenient, easily-scaled volume rather than the US's 240 mL or older imperial teacup conventions.
Historical origin. Metric cup was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Quart
Quart (qt) measures volume. The US liquid quart is exactly one-quarter of a US gallon: 0.946352946 liters. It is classified as a US customary unit.
Where it's used: United States (cooking, dairy, motor oil packaging)
Uses of the Quart today
- US recipe measurement (larger liquid volumes)
- US motor oil and automotive fluid packaging
- US dairy and beverage packaging (quart containers)
History of the Quart
The quart ('quarter' of a gallon) follows the same English wine-gallon lineage as the US gallon, retained by the US after England moved to a different imperial standard in 1824.
Historical origin. Quart was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Metric cup — sources
- National Measurement Institute (Australia) — Kitchen measures — Documents the 250 mL metric cup standard.
Quart — sources
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C — General tables of units including the US quart definition.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many quarts are in 1 metric cup?
1 metric cup equals 0.2641720524 quarts, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert metric cup to quart?
Multiply the metric cup value by 0.2641720524. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert quart back to metric cup?
Use the reverse factor: 1 quart equals 3.785411784 metric cups. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a metric cup?
Metric cup (metric cup) measures volume. The metric cup used in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Canada is defined as exactly 250 milliliters. It is classified as a Non-SI unit (culinary, metric countries).
What is a quart?
Quart (qt) measures volume. The US liquid quart is exactly one-quarter of a US gallon: 0.946352946 liters. It is classified as a US customary unit.
Is the metric cup to quart conversion exact?
Yes. The US liquid quart is exactly one-quarter of a US gallon: 0.946352946 liters. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
What is the difference between metric cup vs. us cup?
The metric cup (250 mL) is about 4% larger than the US cooking cup (240 mL) — small for most recipes, but worth checking when following a recipe from a different country.
Where is the metric cup still used today?
Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada (recipes and cooking measurement)