Pint to Litre Converter
Converting pints to litres is essential for anyone in the UK dealing with beer measurements, milk bottles, or recipes. Our converter handles both Imperial pints (used in the UK) and US pints with precision. One Imperial pint equals 0.568261 litres, whilst a US pint equals 0.473176 litres.
Quick Conversions
Pint to Litre Conversion Table
This table shows common pint to litre conversions for both Imperial and US measurements. Imperial pints are what you’ll encounter in British pubs and supermarkets.
| Imperial Pints | Litres | US Pints | Litres |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.284 | 0.5 | 0.237 |
| 1 | 0.568 | 1 | 0.473 |
| 2 | 1.137 | 2 | 0.946 |
| 3 | 1.705 | 3 | 1.420 |
| 4 | 2.273 | 4 | 1.893 |
| 5 | 2.841 | 5 | 2.366 |
| 6 | 3.410 | 6 | 2.839 |
| 8 | 4.546 | 8 | 3.785 |
| 10 | 5.683 | 10 | 4.732 |
Conversion Formula
Imperial Pint to Litre
Litres = Pints × 0.568261
Example: 2 pints = 2 × 0.568261 = 1.136522 litres
Litre to Imperial Pint
Pints = Litres × 1.759754
Example: 1 litre = 1 × 1.759754 = 1.759754 pints
US Pint to Litre
Litres = US Pints × 0.473176
Example: 2 US pints = 2 × 0.473176 = 0.946353 litres
Step-by-Step Conversion
Converting pints to litres involves simple multiplication. Here’s how to do it:
- Identify whether you’re working with Imperial or US pints
- Multiply your pint value by the appropriate conversion factor
- For Imperial pints: multiply by 0.568261
- For US pints: multiply by 0.473176
- Round your answer to the desired decimal places
Imperial vs US Pints
Why the difference? The Imperial pint contains 20 fluid ounces, whilst the US pint contains only 16 fluid ounces. This makes the Imperial pint approximately 20% larger than its American counterpart.
The discrepancy dates back to 1824 when Britain standardised the Imperial pint at 568.261 millilitres. The United States retained the older English wine pint, which became the US liquid pint at 473.176 millilitres. This difference matters when following recipes or comparing drink servings between countries.
| Measurement | Imperial Pint (UK) | US Pint |
|---|---|---|
| Volume in millilitres | 568.261 ml | 473.176 ml |
| Volume in litres | 0.568261 L | 0.473176 L |
| Fluid ounces | 20 fl oz | 16 fl oz |
| Common use in UK | Beer, cider, milk | Rare (imported recipes) |
Everyday Pint Measurements
In Britain, the pint remains legally protected for certain products. Draught beer and cider must be sold in Imperial pints in pubs. Milk bottles often come in pint-based sizes, though metric alternatives are increasingly common.
Common UK Products in Pints
- Beer and cider: Draught servings are legally required to be sold in pints (568ml) or half-pints (284ml)
- Milk: Doorstep delivery often uses 1-pint (568ml), 2-pint (1136ml), or 4-pint (2272ml) bottles
- Cream: Single and double cream frequently sold in half-pint (284ml) cartons
- Fruit juice: Some brands offer pint-sized bottles alongside metric options
Pints in the Pub
British pubs serve beer in Imperial pints by law. A proper pint glass holds 568ml to the brim, though many have a line marking the pint level with additional headspace above. This ensures customers receive the full measure they’ve paid for. Half-pints (284ml) are also standard.
Metric Equivalents
Understanding how pints relate to common metric volumes helps with shopping and cooking. A standard UK pint is close to, but larger than, half a litre.
| Imperial Pints | Litres | Millilitres |
|---|---|---|
| ¼ pint | 0.142 L | 142 ml |
| ½ pint | 0.284 L | 284 ml |
| 1 pint | 0.568 L | 568 ml |
| 1½ pints | 0.852 L | 852 ml |
| 2 pints | 1.137 L | 1137 ml |
| 4 pints | 2.273 L | 2273 ml |
| 6 pints | 3.410 L | 3410 ml |
| 8 pints (1 gallon) | 4.546 L | 4546 ml |
Related Volume Conversions
Pints connect to other Imperial and metric volume measurements. Here are the most useful conversions for everyday life in the UK.
| From | To | Conversion |
|---|---|---|
| 1 pint | Fluid ounces | 20 fl oz |
| 1 pint | Millilitres | 568.261 ml |
| 1 pint | Litres | 0.568261 L |
| 2 pints | Quart | 1 quart |
| 8 pints | Gallon | 1 gallon |
| 1 litre | Pints | 1.76 pints |
| 500 ml | Pints | 0.88 pints |
FAQs
One Imperial pint equals exactly 0.568261 litres or 568.261 millilitres. This is the standard measurement used throughout the UK for beer, cider, and traditional milk bottles.
No. A UK Imperial pint is 568ml, whilst a US pint is only 473ml. The Imperial pint is about 20% larger. This matters when following American recipes or comparing drink sizes.
British law protects the pint for draught beer, cider, and milk sales. It’s part of cultural tradition, especially in pubs. The UK uses a mix of metric and Imperial measurements in daily life.
Multiply the number of pints by 0.568261. For quick estimates, remember that one pint is roughly 570ml or just over half a litre. Two pints equal about 1.14 litres.
Half an Imperial pint equals 284ml. Pubs serve half-pints as a smaller beer option. This measurement is also common for cream and some juice cartons.
One litre equals approximately 1.76 Imperial pints. More precisely, it’s 1.759754 pints. This means a litre is nearly three-quarters bigger than a pint.
Yes, certified pint glasses in UK pubs hold exactly 568ml to the rim or line marking. Glasses carry a crown stamp or CE mark showing they’re officially verified. Serving under this amount is illegal.
Yes. Doorstep milk delivery and some supermarket brands offer pint bottles. Common sizes are 1 pint (568ml), 2 pints (1136ml), and 4 pints (2272ml). Most supermarkets also stock metric sizes like 500ml, 1L, and 2L.
Two Imperial pints equal 1136.522 millilitres, or approximately 1.14 litres. This is a common milk bottle size in the UK.
The UK only uses liquid pints (568ml). The US has both liquid pints (473ml) and dry pints (551ml) for different substances. In Britain, we measure everything liquid or dry in the same Imperial pint.