Pint (US)
Definition
A US pint is a unit of volume equal to 16 fluid ounces or 473.176 milliliters. It is part of the US customary system and is primarily used in the United States.
History
The pint has roots in the British Imperial system, dating back to the 14th century. It was standardized in the US in the late 18th century, with the US pint defined as 1/8 of a gallon. Over time, the pint has evolved in various regions, but its modern US definition has remained consistent since the 19th century.
Uses
Pints are commonly used in everyday life to measure liquids, particularly beverages such as beer and milk. In culinary contexts, recipes may specify ingredients in pints. While primarily used in the US, the pint's counterpart in the UK is defined differently, leading to confusion in international contexts.
Conversions
- 1 US pint = 16 fluid ounces
- 1 US pint = 473.176 milliliters
- 1 US pint = 0.125 gallons
Fun Facts
- A common misconception is that a pint is the same worldwide; however, the UK pint is 20 fluid ounces (568.261 milliliters).
- The phrase "a pint's a pound the world around" is often used to remember that a pint of water weighs roughly one pound.