Understanding kitchen measurements is essential for cooking, baking, and even daily tasks like buying beverages or filling up containers. One of the most common questions people ask is: how many pints are in a gallon?
Whether you’re scaling a recipe, calculating drink servings, or converting between imperial and U.S. units, this guide will walk you through the basics of how pints and gallons relate—and help you avoid measurement mistakes.
Let’s start with the simple answer and then break it down with examples, tables, and conversions.
Table of Contents
How Many Pints in a Gallon?
In the United States:
- 1 gallon = 8 pints
In the United Kingdom (Imperial system):
- 1 gallon = 8 pints, too—but UK pints are larger than US pints.
So while the number is the same, the volume differs between countries. If you’re in the U.S., a gallon holds 128 fluid ounces, and each pint is 16 fluid ounces. In the UK, a gallon is 160 UK fluid ounces, and each pint is 20 UK fluid ounces.
Basic Conversion Chart: U.S. Liquid Measurements
| Measurement | Fluid Ounces | Pints | Quarts | Gallons |
| 1 cup | 8 fl oz | 0.5 pt | 0.25 qt | 0.0625 gal |
| 1 pint | 16 fl oz | 1 pt | 0.5 qt | 0.125 gal |
| 1 quart | 32 fl oz | 2 pt | 1 qt | 0.25 gal |
| 1 gallon | 128 fl oz | 8 pt | 4 qt | 1 gal |
Tip:
Remember this saying to help recall the U.S. system:
🫙 “A gallon is 4 quarts, each quart is 2 pints, and each pint is 2 cups.”
Imperial (UK) vs. U.S. Liquid Gallons and Pints
Though both systems use the terms “gallon” and “pint,” they are not the same size.
| Unit | U.S. Volume | UK Volume (Imperial) |
| 1 pint | 16 US fl oz | 20 UK fl oz |
| 1 gallon | 128 US fl oz | 160 UK fl oz |
| 1 US gallon | — | ~0.83 UK gallons |
| 1 UK gallon | — | ~1.2 US gallons |
So, while 1 gallon = 8 pints in both systems, the actual volume of liquid is larger in the UK.
Why This Matters in Recipes and Daily Life
Whether you’re following a recipe, measuring out drinks, or calculating servings for an event, accuracy matters.
Here’s where it comes into play:
- Cooking and baking: Recipes might call for a pint of broth or a gallon of soup
- Barbecue planning: Knowing how many pints of lemonade or beer fit in a gallon container helps you prep correctly
- Meal prepping: Portioning out soups or smoothies using pint jars
- International conversions: Especially when using online recipes or products from different countries
Always double-check the measurement system—especially when dealing with UK vs. US units.
How to Convert Pints to Gallons and Vice Versa
To convert pints to gallons:
Gallons = Pints ÷ 8
To convert gallons to pints:
Pints = Gallons × 8
Example Conversions (U.S.):
- 4 pints = 0.5 gallon
- 2 gallons = 16 pints
- 1.5 gallons = 12 pints
- 10 pints = 1.25 gallons
It’s that simple!
Other Useful Liquid Measurement Conversions
| From | To |
| 1 gallon | 4 quarts, 8 pints, 16 cups |
| 1 quart | 2 pints, 4 cups, 32 fl oz |
| 1 pint | 2 cups, 16 fl oz |
| 1 cup | 8 fl oz |
Knowing these basic conversions can save time and ensure your recipes (and drinks!) come out just right.
FAQs About Pints and Gallons
How many pints are in a half gallon?
There are 4 pints in a half gallon (U.S.).
Is a pint bigger than a cup?
Yes. 1 pint = 2 cups in both the U.S. and UK systems.
Is a gallon the same in every country?
No. The U.S. gallon is smaller than the UK (Imperial) gallon. Same goes for pints.
Can I use pint-sized jars for freezing soup?
Yes! Pint jars are perfect for 1–2 servings and ideal for freezing broths, soups, and sauces.
Are dry and liquid pints the same?
Not quite. A dry pint measures volume for solids like berries or flour, and it’s slightly larger than a liquid pint in terms of cubic inches.
So, how many pints in a gallon? Eight pints—whether you’re using the U.S. or UK system. Just remember that the size of the pints differs between the two.
Understanding these simple conversions helps you cook smarter, plan better, and avoid those confusing mid-recipe calculations. Whether you’re prepping a pot of chili or planning your next backyard party, now you’ve got this conversion down pat.
