The volume of a pint of beer varies depending on where you are in the world. In the United States, a pint of beer is 16 US fluid ounces, or 473 millilitres. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, and to a limited extent in Commonwealth nations, a pint of beer is 20 imperial fluid ounces, or 568 millilitres.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Number of fluid ounces in a US pint | 16 |
Number of fluid ounces in a UK imperial pint | 20 |
Volume of a US pint in millilitres | 473 ml |
Volume of a UK imperial pint in millilitres | 568 ml |
What You'll Learn
A US pint of beer is 473ml
The US pint is different from the British imperial pint, which is about 20% larger, containing 20 fluid ounces (568ml). The two systems are defined differently. The British imperial pint is equal to one-eighth of an imperial gallon, while the US liquid pint is legally defined as one-eighth of a liquid gallon of precisely 231 cubic inches.
The US also has a less common dry pint, which is approximately 551ml. This is equal to one sixty-fourth of a bushel.
The pint is a unit of volume or capacity in both the imperial and United States customary measurement systems. It is traditionally one-eighth of a gallon. Almost all other countries have standardised the metric system, so although some nations still use traditional units called pints, the volume varies by regional custom.
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A UK pint of beer is 568ml
The history of the pint size dates back to medieval England, when tavern keepers used their own mugs and tankards to serve beer, often leading to disputes with customers over the amount served. In the 17th century, King Charles II of England established the standard ratio for tankards, known as the "imperial pint," which measured 568 millilitres. This standard measurement ensured that customers received the correct amount of beer when visiting their favourite pub.
The size of a pint varies depending on the country. Ordering a pint in the UK, Ireland, or most European countries will get you 568ml, while a pint in the United States is smaller at 473ml. The difference in pint sizes between the UK and the US is due to the distinct measurement systems used in each country. The US Customary System, used in the US, defines a fluid ounce as the volume occupied by an ounce of wine, resulting in a larger unit. In contrast, the Imperial System, used in the UK, defines a fluid ounce as the volume occupied by an ounce of water.
Understanding the measurements of a pint of beer is crucial for both serving and savouring this beloved beverage. Whether it's bonding with friends or indulging in a friendly competition, knowing that a UK pint of beer is 568ml adds a layer of precision to the experience.
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A pint is a unit of volume
The imperial pint, used in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and to a limited extent in Commonwealth nations, is defined as 20 fluid ounces or approximately 568 millilitres. In the United States, two kinds of pints are used: a liquid pint, defined as 16 fluid ounces or approximately 473 millilitres, and a less common dry pint of approximately 551 millilitres.
In the United States, the liquid pint is legally defined as one-eighth of a liquid gallon of precisely 231 cubic inches. The British imperial pint is defined as one-eighth of an imperial gallon.
The word 'pint' comes from the Old French word 'pinte' and perhaps ultimately from Vulgar Latin 'pincta', meaning 'painted', for marks painted on the side of a container to show capacity.
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A pint is 1/8th of a gallon
A pint of beer is a standard unit of measurement in the beer universe. In the United States, a pint is 16 US fluid ounces or 473 millilitres. The typical conical "pint" glass used in the US holds 16 US fluid ounces only when filled to the brim with liquid. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, and some Commonwealth nations, the imperial pint is used, which is about 20% larger than the American pint at 20 imperial fluid ounces or 568 millilitres.
The pint is a unit of volume or capacity in both the imperial and United States customary measurement systems. In both systems, it is traditionally one-eighth of a gallon. This means that there are eight pints in a gallon. The British imperial pint is derived from the gallon defined by the British parliament in 1824, which was based on ten pounds of distilled water at 62 °F (16.667 °C) or 277.42 cubic inches. On the other hand, the US liquid pint is derived from the British wine gallon adopted by Britain's North American colonies in 1707, defined as 231 cubic inches exactly.
The word "pint" has its origins in the French language. It is derived from the French word "pinte", which was derived from the Latin word "pincta", referring to the scale painted on measuring containers or tools. In the United States, the liquid pint is legally defined as one-eighth of a liquid gallon of precisely 231 cubic inches. This definition is reflected in the common abbreviation for a pint, "pt" or "p", which is short for "pint" or "pinta".
The size of a pint can vary depending on the country you are in. For example, a pint in the US is 473 millilitres, while a pint in the UK, Ireland, or most European countries is 568 millilitres. In Canada, Federal law mandates the use of the standard imperial pint, but this law is sometimes not enforced in certain provinces, and establishments may serve US pints or other measures instead. In Australia, a "pint" typically refers to 425 millilitres of beer, and customers must specifically request an "imperial pint" of 570 millilitres.
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The US uses a different measurement system to the UK
The US and the UK use different measurement systems to quantify the volume of liquids, including beer. The US uses the US Customary System, while the UK uses the British Imperial System. Both systems are derived from English systems used in the Middle Ages, which combined local Anglo-Saxon units inherited from Germanic tribes and Roman units.
The British Imperial fluid ounce is equal to 28.413 milliliters, whereas its US Customary counterpart is equivalent to 29.573 milliliters. This difference in the basic unit of volume leads to discrepancies in larger units.
A British Imperial pint is 568 milliliters (or 20 fluid ounces), while a US pint is 473 milliliters (or 16 fluid ounces). This means that an Imperial pint, as used in the UK, is approximately 20% larger than the US pint.
The discrepancy in pint sizes between the US and the UK is not limited to beer. For example, Canadian brewers often package beer in 12-imperial-fluid-ounce bottles, which are 341 mL each. In contrast, American brewers use 12-US-fluid-ounce bottles, which are 355 mL each. As a result, Canadian beer bottles are labelled as 11.5 fluid ounces in US units when imported into the United States.
The difference in measurement systems can be a source of confusion when comparing quantities of liquids between the US and the UK. It is important to be aware of these differences, especially when travelling between the two countries or when converting recipes that involve volume measurements.
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Frequently asked questions
This depends on the type of pint. A British imperial pint is 568ml, whereas an American pint is 473ml.
There are 568mm in an imperial pint of beer.
There are 473mm in a US pint of beer.