Pint to Milliliters Converter

The number of milliliters in a pint depends on which measurement system you're using:

This is a significant difference (about 20%), so it's crucial to know which type of pint a recipe or measurement is referring to. Most countries outside the United Kingdom use the metric system (milliliters and liters) rather than pints.

The primary differences between US and Imperial pints include:

• Volume:
  • US pint = 473.176 ml
  • Imperial pint = 568.261 ml (20% larger than US pint)
• Fluid ounces:
  • 1 US pint = 16 US fluid ounces
  • 1 Imperial pint = 20 Imperial fluid ounces
• Usage:
  • US pints are used in the United States
  • Imperial pints are used in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries
• Relationship to larger units:
  • 8 US pints = 1 US gallon
  • 8 Imperial pints = 1 Imperial gallon (which is larger than a US gallon)

Converting between pints and milliliters is commonly needed in these situations:

• Cooking and baking: Following recipes from different countries that use different measurement systems
• Bartending: Working with international cocktail recipes or adjusting serving sizes
• Imported products: Understanding volume information on products from the US or UK
• Travel: Adapting to local measurement systems when cooking or purchasing liquids abroad
• Science experiments: Converting between customary and metric units for lab work
• Food production: Scaling recipes or meeting regulatory requirements for product labeling

Accurate conversion is particularly important in baking, where precise measurements can significantly affect the final product.

The existence of different volume measurement systems stems from historical, cultural, and practical factors:

• Historical development: Measurement systems evolved independently in different regions based on practical everyday items and needs
• Imperial system roots: The Imperial system (including pints) developed in Britain and was based on earlier English units
• US customary system: Derived from the Imperial system but with some differences (like smaller pints) established after American independence
• Metric system adoption: The metric system (including milliliters) was developed in France in the late 18th century as a standardized, decimal-based alternative
• Global standardization: Most countries adopted the metric system for its simplicity and ease of conversion, though the US retained customary units

Today, the metric system is the international standard for science, medicine, and most forms of trade, though customary units remain in everyday use in the United States and some other countries.

The required accuracy for volume conversions in cooking depends on the context:

• Everyday cooking: Generally tolerant of small errors (±5%). For example, using 470ml instead of the precise 473.176ml for 1 US pint is usually acceptable.
• Baking: Requires greater precision, as chemical reactions (like leavening) depend on accurate proportions. Here, using the precise conversion is recommended.
• Cocktails and beverages: Moderate precision is needed for consistent flavor and strength, though professional bartenders often use standardized tools.
• Preserving and canning: Requires high precision for food safety and proper sealing, making accurate conversions essential.

As a general rule, this converter's default 4 decimal places provides more than enough precision for all culinary applications, while the adjustable precision allows for rounding when appropriate.