“How many ounces are in a pint?” is one of the most common measurement questions in daily life. You may see it in recipes, on drink menus, in beer bars, or when choosing the right size tumbler. The simple answer is: there is no single universal pint. A full pint can mean different things depending on the country, the measurement system, and whether you are measuring liquid or dry ingredients.
In this complete guide, we will explain everything in clear, simple language. You will learn:
- How many ounces are in a US pint and a UK pint
- The difference between liquid pints and dry pints
- How pint measurement works in cooking and baking
- How measuring cups relate to pints and ounces
- Why a pint of beer in the UK is larger than in the US
- How pint sizes connect to tumbler manufacturing and drinkware design
By the end of this guide, you will understand volume measurements with confidence — whether you are cooking at home, running a café, or sourcing custom stainless steel tumblers.
Table of Contents
- 1. What Is an Ounce?
- 2. What Is a Pint?
- 3. How Many Ounces in a Pint?
- 4. Liquid Pints vs Dry Pints
- 5. Pint of Beer: US vs UK
- 6. Measuring Cups and Kitchen Conversions
- 7. Pint Measurement in Cooking & Baking
- 8. Pint Sizes in Tumblers & Drinkware
- 9. The Imperial System vs US Customary System
- 10. Frequently Asked Questions
- 11. About Steelermax – Stainless Steel Tumbler Manufacturer
- 12. Final Summary
1. What Is an Ounce?
An ounce is a small unit of measurement. It can be used in two different ways:
- Fluid ounce (fl oz) – used for liquid measurements
- Dry ounce (oz) – used for weight of solids
This is where many people get confused. When asking about pints, we are almost always talking about fluid ounces, not dry ounces.
US Fluid Ounce
In the United States, one fluid ounce equals 29.57 milliliters. This is the standard used for all US liquid measurements.
UK Fluid Ounce
In the UK, one fluid ounce equals 28.41 milliliters. It is slightly smaller than the US fluid ounce. That small difference adds up when measuring a full pint.
2. What Is a Pint?
A pint is a traditional unit of volume used mainly for drinks and food. It has been used for hundreds of years in Europe and later in the United States.
However, there is no single global pint. A pint depends on the measurement system:
- US Customary System
- Imperial System (UK)
- Metric System (used in many countries)
That is why a pint of beer in London is larger than a pint of beer in New York.
3. How Many Ounces in a Pint?
| Type of Pint | Fluid Ounces | Milliliters | Used In |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Liquid Pint | 16 fl oz | 473 ml | United States |
| Imperial Pint | 20 fl oz | 568 ml | UK, Ireland |
| Metric Pint | 16.9 fl oz | 500 ml | Europe (approximate) |
So the short answer:
- 1 US pint = 16 ounces
- 1 UK pint = 20 ounces
4. Liquid Pints vs Dry Pints
This is another major area of confusion. In the US, there are:
- Liquid pints – for water, milk, beer
- Dry pints – for berries, flour, grains
A US dry pint is about 18.6 fluid ounces in volume. But it is not used for most drink measurements. Dry pints are mainly used when measuring dry ingredients in bulk.
This is why professional cooks prefer:
- Liquid measuring cups for liquids
- Kitchen scales for dry ingredients
5. Pint of Beer: US vs UK
If you order a pint of beer in the United States, you will normally receive:
- 16 fluid ounces
If you order a pint of beer in the UK, you will receive:
- 20 fluid ounces
That means a UK full pint contains 25% more beer than a US pint. This difference comes directly from the imperial system.
6. Measuring Cups and Kitchen Conversions
In most kitchens, volume measurements are done using measuring cups. These are usually marked in:
- Cups
- Ounces
- Milliliters
In the US kitchen system:
- 1 cup = 8 ounces
- 2 cups = 1 pint
- 4 cups = 1 quart
- 16 cups = 1 gallon
7. Pint Measurement in Cooking & Baking
In recipes, pint measurement is often used for:
- Milk and cream
- Soup and broth
- Ice cream bases
- Berries and fruit
When measuring dry ingredients like flour, sugar, or rice, always remember:
- Dry pints measure volume, not weight
- Weight changes by ingredient density
- A digital scale is always more accurate
8. Pint Sizes in Tumblers & Drinkware
In drinkware manufacturing, pint sizes strongly influence tumbler design. The most common tumbler sizes include:
- 12 oz – small coffee tumblers
- 16 oz – standard US pint size
- 20 oz – UK pint size & large travel tumblers
- 30–40 oz – hydration tumblers
Many brands choose 20 oz tumblers because they match a full imperial pint and offer better perceived value.
9. The Imperial System vs US Customary System
The US and the UK use different measurement systems. This is the root cause of most pint confusion.
- The US Customary System is based on earlier British units but evolved differently
- The Imperial System was standardized in the UK in 1824
10. Frequently Asked Questions
Is 20 oz a pint?
Yes, 20 ounces is a full imperial pint.
Is 16 oz a pint?
Yes, in the US, 16 ounces equals one liquid pint.
Are dry pints and liquid pints the same?
No. Dry pints are used for solids and are slightly larger in volume.
About Steelermax – Stainless Steel Tumbler Manufacturer
Steelermax is a professional stainless steel tumbler manufacturer based in China, serving global B2B buyers. We specialize in OEM and ODM custom tumblers ranging from 12 oz to 40 oz, including full pint sizes for both US and UK markets.
- 10+ years manufacturing experience
- Bulk production for brands & wholesalers
- Custom logos, colors, lids, and packaging
- Exported to North America, Southeast Asia & South America
12. Final Summary
A pint is not a fixed size worldwide. A US pint is 16 ounces. A UK pint is 20 ounces. Dry pints are different again. Understanding these differences helps you cook better, serve drinks accurately, and choose the right drinkware.
If you are building a drinkware brand or sourcing custom full-pint tumblers, working with an experienced manufacturer like Steelermax ensures accurate volume, stable quality, and long-term supply support.