Volume Calculator

The US and UK gallons evolved from different historical measurements. A US gallon is about 3.785 liters, while a UK (imperial) gallon is about 4.546 liters. The difference arose because the US kept the older English wine gallon (231 cubic inches), while the UK standardized on the imperial gallon in 1824, defined as the volume of 10 pounds of water at a specific temperature. This is why fuel economy figures differ between the US and UK even for the same vehicle.

For quick estimates, remember these key conversions: 1 liter is slightly more than 1 quart (1.057 US quarts); 1 US gallon is about 3.8 liters; 1 milliliter equals 1 cubic centimeter (cc). For cooking, 1 cup is about 237 ml, and 1 tablespoon is about 15 ml. While these aren't exact, they're useful for everyday calculations. For precise measurements, especially in scientific or engineering applications, always use a calculator or conversion tool.

Irregular volumes can be measured using water displacement: place the object in a container filled with water and measure the volume of displaced water (which equals the object's volume). For complex shapes, you can also break them down into simpler geometric shapes and add their volumes. In industrial applications, 3D scanning technology can calculate precise volumes of irregular objects. For liquids, graduated cylinders, beakers, or volumetric flasks provide accurate measurements.