Five liters is roughly 5,000 cubic centimeters or approximately 1.32 gallons.
This volume is a standard measurement for liquids, particularly in contexts like beverage containers, cooking, or household products.
Understanding how big it is can help you make informed decisions when purchasing liquids or cleaning products, where the volume matters, or in cooking when a recipe specifies a particular volume of ingredients.
Generally, understanding volumes, including 5 liters, is practical in various daily activities and contexts where volume plays a role.
This post will help you understand how big 5 liters is by using familiar items as reference points.
Read: How Long is 100 Kilometers? 12 Common Comparisons (+Pics)
Read on to find out what best suits your needs.
Table of contents
12 Common Comparisons For 5 Liters
1. 21 Standard Measuring Cups
Measuring cups are kitchen tools used for precise measuring of ingredients. They are essential tools for anyone who wants to follow recipes accurately and achieve consistent results in the kitchen.
Measuring cups come in various sizes, but a standard size usually has a capacity of 0.24 liters.
That means it would take you as many as 21 measuring cups at capacity to realize 5 liters.
2. 5 Standard Measuring Jugs
Measuring jugs are practical for mixing, pouring, and precisely measuring liquid ingredients in recipes. They provide convenience and precision in the kitchen or any situation where accurate liquid measurements are essential since they have markings in various units, such as milliliters, ounces, and liters.
Similarly to cups, measuring cups are available in various sizes, but a standard size in the United States has a capacity of one quart or approximately 0.95 liters.
So, imagine pouring a liquid five times into the jug to reach the 5-liter mark.
3. 5 Standard Mason Jars
Mason jars are versatile glass containers with a sealing lid and a screw-on band.
Primarily designed for home canning and preserving, they have become mainstream for various uses beyond that, including storing food, beverages, crafts, and now as comparison items.
Mason jars come in different sizes, but the most common and standard size in many households is the quart-sized jar, which holds 32 fluid ounces or approximately 0.95 liters.
Since it’s as big as a standard measuring jug, you can use the same approach to understand how big 5 liters is.
4. 2 & ½ Standard Pitchers
Pitchers are containers with a handle and a spout and are a convenient way to serve and share drinks. They, too, feature marks along the sides, making them useful in both kitchen and dining settings.
The standard size of a pitcher commonly found in many households is bigger than a standard jug and a Mason jar, holding around 64 fluid ounces or 1.89 liters.
So, if you choose this option, visualize filling a pitcher approximately two and a half times to realize 5 liters.
5. 10 Pints of Beer
A pint of beer is a regular serving size for this beverage, particularly in pubs and bars.
The size of a pint of beer may vary depending on the region and local customs. For example, in the United States, it typically contains 16 ounces (approximately 0.473 liters), while it’s slightly larger at 20 fluid ounces (approximately 0.568 liters) in the UK.
That variation, however, won’t significantly affect how you achieve 5 liters using a beer pint. In any case, you can compare it to ten beer pints.
6. 2 & ½ 2-liter Soda Bottles
A 2-liter soda bottle is a standard container for carbonated and non-carbonated drinks.
As the name implies, it contains 2 liters, making it popular for parties, gatherings, and family occasions, where a significant quantity of drinks is needed.
Thus, imagine two 2-liter soda bottles at capacity and another half-full. That’s how big 5 liters is.
7. 14 Standard Soda Cans
Unlike 2-liter soda bottles, soda cans are convenient for activities like picnics and sporting events.
A standard beverage can holds about 12 fluid ounces (0.355 liters).
Although small, you can use it as a reference for 5 liters by imagining filling it as many as 14 times.
8. 6 & ½ Standard Bottles of Wine
Wine bottles come in various sizes, from large options, such as magnums (1.5 liters), to smaller sizes, like half-bottles (375 milliliters).
The standard size is usually the 750-milliliter bottle for red and white wines and is a common size for retail purchases.
Since it contains 0.75 liters, visualize filling it approximately six and a half times to get a sense of 5 liters.
9. 5 Quarts of Milk
A quart milk container is a standard packaging for milk in the United States.
These containers are either plastic or cardboard, and their shapes allow easy pouring.
They hold approximately 32 fluid ounces or 0.946 liters, providing enough milk for various purposes without being overly large.
Thus, envisioning filling a quart milk container about five times gives you a rough sense of 5 liters.
10. 1 & ⅓ Gallon Container
Gallon containers are synonymous with liquids such as milk, water, and other beverages. They are designed with a handle for easy pouring, making them practical for households that require a larger quantity of a particular liquid.
At capacity, a gallon container equals approximately 3.79 liters.
That means you would need a gallon container at capacity and another one a third full to realize 5 liters.
11. 17 Picnic Cups
Picnic cups, often made of plastic or disposable material, are vessels for serving beverages during outdoor activities, picnics, and gatherings, where convenience and quick disposal are priorities.
They come in various sizes, but the standard size is usually around nine fluid ounces (approximately 0.3 liters).
So, using the 9-oz picnic cup as the benchmark, you can compare 5 liters to filling as many as 17 picnic cups.
12. 2 & ½ Standard Bread Pans
Also known as loaf pans or bread tins, bread pans are indispensable items for home bakers.
They come in different sizes to accommodate various types of bread, from small sandwich loaves to artisanal bread.
The most common dimensions are 4.5 inches in width, 2.5 inches in depth, and 9 or 8.5 inches in length. In the United States, the 8.5-inch length is the standard size for bread pans.
But since both have a volume of about 2 liters (only 15 percent difference between the two), you can visualize filling any pan two and a half times to realize 5 liters.
