Whether you’re following a recipe, mixing chemicals for a science experiment, or just trying to figure out if you have enough juice for the kids, liquid volume conversions are a part of everyday life. Accurate measurements are key to success, whatever the task.
This article breaks down the relationship between quarts and fluid ounces, offering simple ways to convert between the two.
We’ll also touch on the differences between U.S. customary and imperial systems, as well as liquid versus dry measurements, to make sure you have all the information you need.
What is a quart?
A quart is a unit of volume. Think of it as one-fourth of a gallon. So, if you have a gallon of milk and pour it equally into four containers, each container holds a quart.
The quart has been around for a long time! Its roots go all the way back to ancient Rome. The United States standardized the measurement in 1790.
In the U.S., you’ll find both liquid quarts (think milk or juice) and dry quarts (think berries or grains).
What is a fluid ounce?
A fluid ounce is a way to measure volume. It’s important not to confuse fluid ounces with ounces. Ounces measure weight, while fluid ounces measure how much space a liquid takes up.
One U.S. fluid ounce is about 29.57 milliliters. One Imperial fluid ounce is about 28.41 milliliters.
Here’s how fluid ounces relate to other common measures:
- 1 fluid ounce = ⅛ cup
- 1 fluid ounce = 2 tablespoons
How Many Ounces in a Quart? US Customary vs. Imperial
It seems like it should be straightforward, but the number of ounces in a quart depends on whether you’re using the U.S. customary system or the imperial system. It also depends on whether you’re measuring liquid or dry goods.
US Customary Liquid Quart
The most common conversion you’ll use in the kitchen is:
1 U.S. liquid quart = 32 U.S. fluid ounces
That’s true whether you’re measuring water, milk, juice, or any other liquid ingredient. It’s also helpful to remember that 1 quart equals 4 cups or 2 pints.
US Customary Dry Quart
When you’re measuring dry goods like grains or berries, you’ll use a slightly different measurement:
1 U.S. dry quart = approximately 37.24 ounces
Dry quarts are measured differently because dry ingredients don’t always settle in the same way that liquids do.
Imperial Quart
The imperial system, which is used in the UK and some other countries, uses yet another measurement:
1 Imperial quart = 40 Imperial fluid ounces
The imperial system does not differentiate between liquid and dry quarts, but imperial fluid ounces are a slightly different size than U.S. fluid ounces. For reference:
- 33.307 imperial fl oz = 1 US customary quart
- 38.430 US fl oz = 1 imperial quart
Conversion Formulas and Examples
Need to convert between quarts and ounces? Here are the formulas you’ll need:
Converting Quarts to Fluid Ounces
- For U.S. customary liquid quarts: Fluid Ounces = Quarts x 32. For example, 2 quarts of broth equals 2 x 32, or 64 fluid ounces.
- For Imperial quarts: Fluid Ounces = Quarts x 40. For instance, 1.5 Imperial quarts of water equals 1.5 x 40, or 60 fluid ounces.
Converting Fluid Ounces to Quarts
- For U.S. customary liquid quarts: Quarts = Fluid Ounces / 32. For example, 96 fluid ounces of juice equals 96 / 32, or 3 quarts.
- For Imperial quarts: Quarts = Fluid Ounces / 40. For instance, 80 fluid ounces of liquid equals 80/40, or 2 Imperial quarts.
Converting Ounces to Dry Quarts
- For U.S. customary dry quarts: Quarts = Ounces / 37.24. So, 74.48 ounces of flour equals 74.48 / 37.24, or 2 dry quarts.
Practical Applications and Examples
Knowing how many ounces are in a quart isn’t just trivia. It’s useful knowledge in many everyday situations.
Cooking and Baking
Many recipes, especially older ones, call for ingredients in quarts. For instance, your favorite soup recipe might call for 2 quarts of broth. Or a cake recipe might start with a quart of flour. Knowing the ounce equivalent helps you measure accurately.
Grocery Shopping
Understanding these conversions can help you make smart choices at the grocery store. If you’re comparing different sizes of milk or juice, knowing how many ounces are in a quart (and that a half-gallon is 2 quarts) can help you determine which is the better deal. And those tempting containers of ice cream? Now you can easily compare their sizes.
Hydration Tracking
Trying to drink enough water each day? Knowing how many ounces are in a quart can help you track your intake. If you know your water bottle holds a certain fraction of a quart, you can easily calculate how many bottles you need to drink to reach your daily hydration goals.
Measuring Tools and Techniques
It’s important to use the right measuring tools for the job. If you’re measuring liquids, use a liquid measuring cup. These usually have a spout that makes pouring easier. If you’re measuring dry ingredients, use dry measuring cups that you can level off with a knife.
Using the right tool will make your measurements more accurate, which is important in cooking and baking.
Final Thoughts
So, to recap: There are 32 fluid ounces in a U.S. liquid quart, 40 fluid ounces in an Imperial quart, and about 37.24 ounces in a U.S. dry quart.
Knowing these conversions is important for making correct measurements whether you’re cooking, crafting, or working on another project.