There are about 473 ml in a pint in the US: the US liquid measure is exactly 473.176473 milliliters, or 16 US fluid ounces. However, the UK (imperial) version is bigger, at 568.26 milliliters or 20 imperial fluid ounces. So when a recipe or a pub sign says “pint”, first check which country it comes from.
Convert Pints to Milliliters
To start, enter any number of pints below. The converter then uses the exact US definition and also shows liters, cups, fluid ounces and UK pints, so you can compare both systems at a glance.
In general, the pint is one of those units that looks simple until you cross a border. For example, in the United States it sits between the cup and the quart. In Britain and Ireland, however, the same word means a noticeably larger glass of beer or bottle of milk. As a result, the answer to “how many ml in a pint” depends on where your recipe, label or glass comes from.
First of all, the US numbers are not estimates. In fact, the US liquid pint is defined as 28.875 cubic inches, and since the inch is exactly 25.4 mm, that works out to exactly 473.176473 milliliters. Also, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) rounds it to 0.47 liters in its table of US customary conversions. Meanwhile, UK law fixes the imperial version at 0.56826125 cubic decimeters, which is 568.26125 milliliters.
Below, you will find a quick chart, a side-by-side look at the three pints people mix up, and practical steps for measuring one without a beer glass.
ML in a Pint: Quick Conversion Chart
Overall, this chart covers the amounts that come up most often. In addition, all values use the exact definitions and are rounded to two decimals. Also, keep in mind that the US and UK columns are different units, so never mix the two in one recipe.
| Amount | US liquid, milliliters | UK imperial, milliliters | US equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 | 118.29 | 142.07 | 1/2 cup, 4 fl oz |
| 1/2 | 236.59 | 284.13 | 1 cup, 8 fl oz |
| 1 | 473.18 | 568.26 | 2 cups, 16 fl oz |
| 1 1/2 | 709.76 | 852.39 | 3 cups, 24 fl oz |
| 2 | 946.35 | 1,136.52 | 1 quart, 32 fl oz |
| 3 | 1,419.53 | 1,704.78 | 6 cups, 48 fl oz |
| 4 | 1,892.71 | 2,273.05 | 1/2 gallon, 64 fl oz |
| 5 | 2,365.88 | 2,841.31 | 10 cups, 80 fl oz |
| 8 | 3,785.41 | 4,546.09 | 1 gallon, 128 fl oz |
Printable tip: print this page or save the chart as a screenshot and tape it inside a cabinet door. Going the other way, 1 liter equals about 2.11 US pints or 1.76 UK pints. Similarly, for small amounts, see how much 30 mL is in spoons and ounces.
Recommended Measuring Cups for Pints and Milliliters
A clear liquid measuring cup with both cup and metric markings makes these conversions easy. For example, a 2-cup glass measure holds exactly one US pint at its top line. Next, look for markings that are printed or molded on both sides, a spout that pours cleanly, and glass or plastic that can handle hot liquids.
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How Many ML in a Pint: US vs UK vs Dry
To begin with, three different pints are still in use, and they differ by up to 20 percent. So before you convert, check which one your source means. Otherwise, your answer can be off by a full fifth.
| Type | Exact size | Rounded | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|---|
| US liquid | 28.875 cubic inches = 473.176473 mL | 473 mL | US recipes, milk and ice cream cartons, US beer glasses |
| UK imperial | 568.26125 mL | 568 mL | UK and Irish pubs, UK milk bottles, older British recipes |
| US dry | 33.6003125 cubic inches = 550.61 mL | 551 mL | Berries, cherry tomatoes and other produce sold by volume |
In practice, the UK version is about 95 milliliters larger than the US one. That gap comes from two changes, though. First, the US unit holds 16 fluid ounces, while the imperial unit holds 20. Second, the fluid ounces themselves differ: a US fluid ounce is 29.57 mL, but an imperial fluid ounce is 28.41 mL. In US units, therefore, a UK pint holds about 19.22 US fluid ounces.
Where the 473 mL Figure Comes From
First, the US customary system builds its liquid units from the gallon, which is defined as 231 cubic inches. Because 1 gallon = 8 pints, each one is 231 / 8 = 28.875 cubic inches. Next, one cubic inch is exactly 16.387064 cubic centimeters, and 1 cubic centimeter equals 1 mL. Finally, multiply the two, and you get 473.176473 mL.
Fortunately, the US chain is easy to remember:
- Gallon: 8 pints, about 3,785.41 milliliters.
- Quart: 2 pints, about 946.35 milliliters.
- Pint: 2 cups, about 473.18 milliliters.
- Cup: 8 fluid ounces, about 236.59 mL.
- Gill: 4 fluid ounces, about 118.29 milliliters (see what a gill measurement is).
The imperial system, by contrast, starts from a gallon of 4.54609 liters. Therefore, one eighth of that is the 568.26125 milliliter imperial unit. For a wider look at both systems, read our guide to metric vs imperial units.
ML in a Pint of Beer, Milk and Liquor
Drinks are where the unit is most visible. Unfortunately, they are also where the numbers get messy.
| Drink | Usual meaning | In mL |
|---|---|---|
| Beer in a UK or Irish pub | Imperial measure | 568 mL |
| Beer in a US bar | A 16 fl oz glass filled to the brim | 473 mL or less once there is foam |
| Milk in the US | US liquid carton | 473 mL |
| Milk in the UK | Imperial bottle or carton | 568 mL |
| Liquor in the US | The bottle sold under that name | 375 mL (about 12.68 US fl oz) |
The liquor row surprises many people, because US spirits bottles have used metric sizes since 1980. Specifically, federal rules list the authorized standards of fill for distilled spirits, including 375 mL and 750 mL. So the familiar bottle of vodka or whiskey sold under that name holds 375 milliliters, which is only about 79 percent of the real thing. Likewise, the “fifth” is a 750 mL bottle.
How to Measure a Pint in Milliliters
- Decide which system you need. Use 473 mL for US recipes and 568 mL for UK recipes.
- Choose a clear measuring cup. For instance, a 2-cup or 1-liter glass measure with mL lines works best.
- Place it on a flat counter. Then pour the liquid in slowly as you approach the line.
- Read at eye level. Bend down so the bottom of the curved surface sits on the 473 or 568 mL mark.
- Use a scale for water-based liquids. Alternatively, weigh about 473 g of water for the US measure or 568 g for the UK one.
- Check your converter result. Finally, enter any odd amount in the converter above to get the exact mL value.
Measuring Pints: Do and Don’t
Do
- Check whether a recipe is American or British.
- Read liquid lines at eye level.
- Keep both mL and cup markings on your measure.
- Weigh water when you need precision.
- Round to 473 milliliters for US pints in daily cooking.
Don’t
- Assume 500 milliliters is the same thing; it is not.
- Use liquid values for berries sold by dry measure.
- Treat a bar glass as a measuring cup.
- Convert UK recipes with US fluid ounces.
- Expect a 375 milliliter liquor bottle to hold 16 fl oz.
Honest Limits of These Conversions
The exact values on this page describe the definitions, not every container in your kitchen. For instance, measuring cups have printing tolerances, and reading a line from above can easily add or lose a few milliliters. Also, converting volume to grams only works neatly for water, because 1 milliliter of water weighs about 1 g. For example, milk is slightly heavier, while oil is lighter, so weight conversions need the density of the liquid. Finally, old recipes may use local pints that no longer exist, so treat very old measurements as approximate.
When Accuracy Really Matters
For soups and sauces, rounding to 475 milliliters or even half a liter rarely causes problems. However, some jobs deserve care:
- Baking and bread. Hydration ratios matter, so use the exact US or UK figure, or weigh the liquid.
- Home brewing and canning. Batch sizes and sugar ratios add up quickly, so a 20 percent error can change the result.
- Liquid medicine and baby formula. Never estimate these with kitchen measures. Instead, use the dosing device or scoop supplied and the mL markings on the label.
ML in a Pint: Frequently Asked Questions
How many ml in a pint in the US?
The US liquid measure is exactly 473.176473 milliliters, usually rounded to 473. In other words, it equals 16 US fluid ounces or 2 US cups.
How many ml in a pint in the UK?
The UK imperial measure is exactly 568.26125 milliliters, usually rounded to 568. In other words, it equals 20 imperial fluid ounces.
How many ml in a pint of beer?
In UK and Irish pubs, beer is served in 568 milliliter measures. In the US, however, a typical glass holds up to 473 milliliters when filled to the brim, and less with a head of foam.
Is 500 ml a pint?
No. In fact, 500 milliliters is about 1.06 US pints or 0.88 UK pints. It sits between the two, so it matches neither system.
Is 1,000 ml more than a pint?
Yes. 1,000 milliliters (1 liter) is about 2.11 US pints or 1.76 UK pints, so a liter is roughly two US pints.
What is half a pint in ml?
Half the US measure is about 236.59 milliliters, which is 1 US cup. By contrast, half the UK measure is about 284.13 milliliters.
How many ml in a pint of liquor?
A true US measure is 473 milliliters, but US spirits use metric bottles. As a result, the bottle sold under that name holds 375 milliliters, about 12.68 US fluid ounces.
How many cups are in a pint?
There are 2 US cups in a US pint. In addition, each US cup is about 236.59 mL.
How do you convert pints to ml?
Multiply US pints by 473.176473, or UK pints by 568.26125. For example, 3 US pints x 473.18 = about 1,419.53 milliliters.
What is a dry pint in ml?
A US dry pint is about 550.61 milliliters. However, it is used for produce such as berries, not for liquids.
The Bottom Line on ML in a Pint
In short, the US version is 473.18 milliliters and the UK version is 568.26 milliliters. Meanwhile, the US dry measure, used for produce, falls between them at about 550.61 milliliters. So the first step in any conversion is to check where your recipe comes from.
Then, for everyday cooking, 473 mL is all you need for American recipes, and 568 mL is right for British ones. If you have an unusual amount, the converter at the top of this page does the math in mL, liters, cups and fluid ounces.
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