Liter vs. Quart — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 5, 2024
A liter is a metric unit of volume, larger than a quart, which is used in the US customary and imperial systems.
Difference Between Liter and Quart
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A liter (L) is part of the metric system, used globally for measuring volume, standardized at 1,000 cubic centimeters (cm³). In contrast, a quart (qt) belongs to the US customary and imperial systems, with one US quart equaling approximately 0.946353 liters and one imperial quart being about 1.13652 liters.
The liter is commonly used in countries that have adopted the metric system, making it a universal standard for volume measurements in science, industry, and everyday use. Whereas, the quart is primarily used in the United States for domestic purposes like cooking and liquid measurements, with the imperial quart still in use in some Commonwealth countries.
When measuring liquids, the liter offers a straightforward approach, as it is easily convertible with other metric units through the base 10 system. On the other hand, the quart's relationship with other units in the US customary and imperial systems requires more specific conversion factors, making calculations slightly more complex.
In practical terms, a liter of water weighs approximately one kilogram, showcasing the metric system's ease of use and consistency. A quart of water, however, weighs about 2.09 pounds in the US system and 2.25 pounds in the imperial system, reflecting the differences in volume and the systems’ respective base units.
For recipes and cooking, the difference between liters and quarts can affect the outcome of a dish, making it important to use the correct measurements or accurately convert between them. This highlights the importance of understanding both units for accurate volume measurement in culinary practices, especially when following international recipes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
System
Metric
US Customary and Imperial
Volume
1,000 cubic centimeters (cm³)
US: ≈ 0.946353 L, Imperial: ≈ 1.13652 L
Usage
Global, in countries using the metric system
US and some Commonwealth countries
Conversion
Easily convertible with other metric units
Requires specific conversion factors with other US/imperial units
Weight of Water
Approximately 1 kilogram
US: ≈ 2.09 pounds, Imperial: ≈ 2.25 pounds
Compare with Definitions
Liter
A metric unit of volume equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters.
He filled the tank with 20 liters of water.
Quart
Reflects the traditional measurement systems in the US and some Commonwealth countries.
The antique jug was marked with a capacity of one imperial quart.
Liter
Directly relates to the mass of water, with 1 liter weighing 1 kilogram.
She purchased a 2-liter bottle of soda for the party.
Quart
Not directly convertible with metric units without specific factors.
They needed 3 quarts of paint to cover the room.
Liter
Widely accepted and used globally, except in the United States.
The recipe called for 1.5 liters of milk.
Quart
A unit of liquid volume in the US customary and imperial systems.
The engine oil capacity is 4 quarts.
Liter
Essential for scientific and international measurements.
The medication was administered in doses of 0.25 liters.
Quart
Commonly used in the United States for cooking and liquid measurements.
The soup recipe requires 2 quarts of chicken broth.
Liter
Offers straightforward conversions within the metric system.
The laboratory required precisely 0.5 liters of solution.
Quart
In the US system, a quart of water weighs about 2.09 pounds.
He bought a quart of milk from the local store.
Liter
A metric unit of volume equal to approximately 1.056 liquid quarts, 0.908 dry quart, or 0.264 gallon. See Table at measurement.
Quart
The quart (symbol: qt) is an English unit of volume equal to a quarter gallon. Three kinds of quarts are currently used: the liquid quart and dry quart of the US customary system and the imperial quart of the British imperial system.
Liter
(American spelling) litre, one cubic decimeter.
Quart
A unit of volume or capacity in the US Customary System, used in liquid measure, equal to 1/4 gallon or 32 ounces (0.946 liter).
Liter
A measure of capacity in the metric system, being a cubic decimeter, equal to 61.022 cubic inches, or 2.113 American pints, or 1.76 English pints.
Quart
A unit of volume or capacity in the US Customary System, used in dry measure, equal to 1/8 peck or 2 pints (1.101 liters).
Liter
A metric unit of capacity equal to the volume of 1 kilogram of pure water at 4 degrees centigrade and 760 mm of mercury (or approximately 1.76 pints)
Quart
A unit of volume or capacity in the British Imperial System, used in liquid and dry measure, equal to 1.201 US liquid quarts or 1.032 US dry quarts (1.136 liters). See Table at measurement.
Quart
A container having a capacity of one quart.
Quart
The contents of such a container.
Quart
A unit of liquid capacity equal to two pints; one-fourth (quarter) of a gallon. Equivalent to 1.136 liters in the UK and 0.946 liter (liquid quart) or 1.101 liters (dry quart) in the U.S.
Quart
(cards) Four successive cards of the same suit.
Quart
(obsolete) A fourth; a quarter; hence, a region of the earth.
Quart
The fourth part; a quarter; hence, a region of the earth.
Camber did possess the western quart.
Quart
A measure of capacity, both in dry and in liquid measure; the fourth part of a gallon; the eighth part of a peck; two pints.
Quart
A vessel or measure containing a quart.
Quart
In cards, four successive cards of the same suit. Cf. Tierce, 4.
Quart
A United States liquid unit equal to 32 fluid ounces; four quarts equal one gallon
Quart
A British imperial capacity measure (liquid or dry) equal to 2 pints or 1.136 liters
Quart
A United States dry unit equal to 2 pints or 67.2 cubic inches
Common Curiosities
Which is larger, a liter or a quart?
A liter is larger than a US quart but slightly smaller than an imperial quart.
Why does the US still use quarts instead of liters?
The US maintains the customary system for historical and cultural reasons, despite the metric system's global prevalence.
Are beverages sold in liters or quarts in the US?
Beverages in the US are commonly sold in liters, especially soft drinks, while other liquids might be sold in quarts.
How many quarts are in a liter?
There are approximately 1.05669 US quarts in a liter, and about 0.879877 imperial quarts.
Which industries prefer liters over quarts?
The scientific, medical, and automotive industries prefer liters for their precision and global standardization.
Can I use liters and quarts interchangeably in recipes?
It's important to convert between liters and quarts accurately, as they are not interchangeable without adjustment.
How do I convert liters to quarts?
To convert liters to US quarts, multiply by 1.05669. For imperial quarts, multiply by 0.879877.
How does the conversion factor between liters and quarts affect cooking?
Accurate conversion is crucial in cooking to ensure recipes turn out as intended, especially when scaling or using international recipes.
Do car engines use liters or quarts for oil capacity?
Car engines worldwide often use liters for oil capacity, but in the US, quarts are also commonly used.
What is the significance of using liters in scientific measurements?
Liters provide a universal standard that facilitates global communication and consistency in scientific research.
Is water density the same in liters and quarts?
The density of water is consistent, but the weight differs due to the volume differences between liters and quarts.
How does the volume of a liter compare to a quart in practical terms?
In practical terms, a liter provides a slightly larger volume than a US quart, making it noticeable in cooking and filling containers.
Why are some products labeled in both liters and quarts in the US?
Dual labeling accommodates both the US customary system and the metric system, aiding in international trade and consumer understanding.
Are liter measurements more accurate than quarts?
Liter measurements can be more straightforward due to the metric system's base 10, but accuracy depends on the context and tools used for measurement.
What challenges arise from the US not fully adopting the metric system?
Challenges include conversion errors, confusion in international trade, and educational complexities in teaching both systems.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Foots vs. Feet
Next Comparison
Stock vs. FlowAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
