A liter is one cubic decimeter.
Liters to Pints Converter — L to pt
Convert Liter (L) to Pint (pt) using the exact conversion factor (1 liter = 2.113376419 pint). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Liters to Pints 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 pint is one eighth of a US gallon.
Result = input x 0.001 / 0.000473176473.
Volume units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Liters to Pints
Liter and Pint 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. Liter is typically associated with standard volume unit for liquids worldwide, including in the US for beverages and fuel labeling in some contexts, while Pint is typically associated with united States (beer serving, cooking, dairy).
Formula
pints = liters × 2.11337641887
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 liter equals 0.001 base units, and 1 pint equals 0.000473176473 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct liter-to-pint factor of 2.11337641887.
Simple example
1 L × 2.113376419 = 2.113376419 pt
1 liter = 2.113376419 pints.
Real-world example
2 L × 2.113376419 = 4.226752838 pt
2 liters = 4.226752838 pints.
Conversion table
| Liter (L) | Pint (pt) |
|---|---|
| 0.25 L | 0.5283441047 pt |
| 0.5 L | 1.056688209 pt |
| 1 L | 2.113376419 pt |
| 2 L | 4.226752838 pt |
| 4 L | 8.453505675 pt |
| 8 L | 16.90701135 pt |
Reverse conversion: Pint to Liter
2.113376419 pt × 0.473176473 = 1 L
2.113376419 pints = 1 liters.
liters = pints × 0.473176473
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Pint to Liter.
Liter vs. Pint
| Aspect | Liter | Pint |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Non-SI metric unit accepted for use with SI | US customary unit |
| Typical use | Beverage, fuel, and liquid product packaging worldwide | US beer and beverage serving sizes |
| Where it's used | Standard volume unit for liquids worldwide, including in the US for beverages and fuel labeling in some contexts | United States (beer serving, cooking, dairy) |
Understanding the Liter
Liter (L) measures volume. A liter is defined as exactly one cubic decimeter (0.001 cubic meters). It is classified as a Non-SI metric unit accepted for use with SI.
Where it's used: Standard volume unit for liquids worldwide, including in the US for beverages and fuel labeling in some contexts
Uses of the Liter today
- Beverage, fuel, and liquid product packaging worldwide
- Cooking and recipe measurement in metric countries
- Laboratory and scientific volume measurement
History of the Liter
The liter was introduced with the French metric system in 1795, originally defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water at its freezing point — tying volume, mass, and the meter together.
Between 1901 and 1964, the liter was briefly redefined as the volume of exactly one kilogram of water at its maximum density (about 4 °C), which made it very slightly larger than a cubic decimeter. It was redefined back to exactly one cubic decimeter in 1964, the definition still used today.
Historical origin. Liter was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Pint
Pint (pt) measures volume. The US liquid pint is one-eighth of a US gallon: exactly 0.473176473 liters. It is classified as a US customary unit.
Where it's used: United States (beer serving, cooking, dairy)
Uses of the Pint today
- US beer and beverage serving sizes
- US recipe measurement
- US dairy packaging (pint containers)
History of the Pint
The pint follows the same English wine-gallon lineage as the US gallon and quart, retained by the US after Britain's 1824 switch to a different imperial gallon standard.
Historical origin. Pint was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Liter — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — Non-SI units accepted for use with SI — Current cubic-decimeter definition of the liter.
Pint — sources
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C — General tables of units including the US pint definition.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many pints are in 1 liter?
1 liter equals 2.113376419 pints, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert liter to pint?
Multiply the liter value by 2.113376419. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert pint back to liter?
Use the reverse factor: 1 pint equals 0.473176473 liters. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a liter?
Liter (L) measures volume. A liter is defined as exactly one cubic decimeter (0.001 cubic meters). It is classified as a Non-SI metric unit accepted for use with SI.
What is a pint?
Pint (pt) measures volume. The US liquid pint is one-eighth of a US gallon: exactly 0.473176473 liters. It is classified as a US customary unit.
Is the liter to pint conversion exact?
Yes. The US liquid pint is one-eighth of a US gallon: exactly 0.473176473 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.
Where is the liter still used today?
Standard volume unit for liquids worldwide, including in the US for beverages and fuel labeling in some contexts