When it comes to staying hydrated, many people turn to bottled water as a convenient way to get their daily intake of water. But with so many different bottle sizes available, it can be confusing to figure out how many bottles add up to a given amount of water, like 2 liters.
Quick Answer
The quick answer is that 2 liters is approximately equal to 8.5 standard 12 ounce bottles of water. To be more precise:
- 2 liters = 67.628 fluid ounces
- A standard 12 ounce bottle of water = 12 fluid ounces
- So dividing 67.628 by 12 gives approximately 8.5 bottles
So if you’re trying to drink 2 liters of water by consuming bottled waters, you’d need around 8 to 9 regular sized 12 ounce bottles.
Calculating the Number of Bottles in 2 Liters
Figuring out the number of bottles in 2 liters requires some simple unit conversions between liters, fluid ounces, and the common sizes for bottled water in ounces. Let’s go through the step-by-step math.
1. Convert 2 liters to fluid ounces
First, we’ll need to convert the 2 liters amount to fluid ounces, since bottle sizes are usually labeled in ounces. To do this:
- 1 liter = 33.814 fluid ounces
- So 2 liters = 2 * 33.814 = 67.628 fluid ounces
2. Divide by standard bottle size in ounces
Now that we have 2 liters expressed in fluid ounces, we can divide that amount by the standard size for single-serve bottled waters, which is usually:
- 12 fluid ounces
- Sometimes 16, 18, or 20 ounces
For a standard 12 ounce bottle:
- 67.628 fluid ounces / 12 ounces per bottle = 5.636 bottles
So for a typical 12 ounce single-serve bottled water, 2 liters is approximately equal to 5.636 bottles. Rounding up gives us 6 bottles.
Number of Bottles Table
Here is a table summarizing the number of bottles for common sizes:
| Bottle Size | Number of Bottles in 2 Liters |
|---|---|
| 12 oz | 5.6 – Round up to 6 bottles |
| 16 oz | 4.2 – Round up to 5 bottles |
| 18 oz | 3.75 – Round up to 4 bottles |
| 20 oz | 3.38 – Round up to 4 bottles |
As you can see, the number of bottles needed decreases as the bottle size increases, but rounds up to the nearest full bottle in each case.
Factors Affecting Number of Bottles
There are some additional factors that can affect the number of bottles needed for 2 liters of water:
1. Bottle Size Variation
While standard single-serve bottles are 12-20 ounces, some brands may be slightly larger or smaller. This would increase or decrease the number of bottles for 2 liters. Always check the label for the exact bottle size in fluid ounces.
2. Losses from Ice Cubes
If you are adding ice to the water bottles, this will displace some of the water, decreasing the amount available for drinking. Large amounts of ice could mean you need additional bottles to reach 2 liters of actual water consumed.
3. Bottle Shape
The shape of the bottle can also impact the actual amount of water at a given size. For example, some 20 ounce bottles are shorter and wider vs. tall and narrow. The shorter bottle may hold less water even though both are labeled as 20 ounce bottles. Look for the fluid ounce amount, not just bottle size.
4. Environmental Factors
Heat can cause water bottles to sweat, losing some fluid. Very cold conditions can freeze water, making it unusable. Be sure to account for any water lost from damaged or leaking bottles as well.
5. Physical Activity Level
The more active you are, the more water your body will need for hydration. Very active lifestyles doing vigorous exercise may require more than 2 liters per day, so you may need additional bottles.
Tips for Drinking 2 Liters from Bottled Water
Here are some tips for staying hydrated with 2 liters of bottled water:
- Carry a reusable water bottle for refilling throughout the day.
- Choose smaller 12-16 oz bottles to space out intake over the day.
- Drink about 1 liter in the morning, 1 liter in the afternoon/evening.
- Set reminders to drink a bottle every hour or couple of hours.
- Infuse your water with fruits or herbs to add flavor.
- Always have water handy in your car, bag, at your desk at work.
- Drink even more water if you live or work in hot conditions.
The Benefits of Staying Hydrated
Drinking enough water each day provides many healthy benefits:
- Boosts Energy Levels: Being hydrated improves blood circulation and oxygen supply to muscles and the brain, reducing fatigue and improving focus.
- Supports Digestion: Water helps digest food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste through urine and feces.
- Improves Skin Health: Hydration keeps skin looking plump and youthful by building collagen and delivering nutrients to skin cells.
- Reduces Joint Pain: Water lubricates and cushions joints, reducing inflammation and irritation in joints like the knees, hips and back.
- Flushes Toxins: Drinking water supports kidney and liver function to filter waste and excess sodium from the body.
- Aids Weight Loss: Water has 0 calories and can increase metabolism, acting as an appetite suppressant when drank before meals.
- Improves Mental Function: Even mild dehydration impairs concentration, memory and brain performance.
Signs of Dehydration
Some signals that may indicate you need to drink more water include:
- Thirst and dry mouth
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Dark yellow urine
- Infrequent urination
- Muscle cramps
- Headaches
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
If you experience any combination of these symptoms, it’s important to drink extra fluids immediately to avoid the effects of dehydration.
Who Needs More than 2 Liters of Water?
While 2 liters per day is recommended for most adults, certain groups may require increased hydration needs:
- Very Active People: Athletes, manual laborers and those who exercise heavily lose more fluids through sweat and need to replenish.
- Pregnant Women: Expecting mothers require extra fluids to support increased blood volume.
- Nursing Mothers: Breastfeeding causes fluid loss and requires adequate hydration to produce milk.
- Children: Younger kids need fewer daily fluids but are also more prone to dehydration from play.
- Elderly Adults: Thirst signals weaken with age, so seniors should remember to consume adequate water.
Those with health conditions like diabetes or kidney disorders may also need guidance on proper hydration from a doctor.
Daily Water Intake Recommendations
General daily total water intake recommendations based on age and gender are:
| Age Group | Total Water (Liters) |
|---|---|
| Infants 0-6 months | 0.8 |
| Infants 7-12 months | 1.0 |
| Children 1-3 years | 1.3 |
| Children 4-8 years | 1.7 |
| Girls 9-13 years | 2.1 |
| Boys 9-13 years | 2.4 |
| Girls 14-18 years | 2.3 |
| Boys 14-18 years | 3.3 |
| Women 19+ years | 2.7 |
| Men 19+ years | 3.7 |
Higher quantities are recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Speak to your doctor if you have concerns about meeting daily water intake levels.
Setting a Daily Water Goal
To help you stay on track with getting enough water from bottled sources or tap water, try these tips:
- Calculate your recommended daily water intake based on age and gender.
- Invest in a reusable marked water bottle to easily track ounces consumed.
- Set reminders on your phone to drink water at regular intervals.
- Flavor water with fruits to make it tastier and more appealing.
- Consume water-rich foods like fruits, soups and smoothies.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol which have dehydrating effects.
- Track your daily intake with a hydration app.
Reaching your optimum daily fluid levels will quickly become a habit with commitment and consistency. Your body will thank you!
Choosing Between Tap and Bottled Water
When working toward your 2 liter goal, one decision is whether to primarily drink tap water or bottled water. Here is a comparison of some factors:
Tap Water
- Very inexpensive from home or public fountains
- Contains fluoride which promotes dental health
- May have taste/odor issues from chlorine disinfection
- Can contain trace contaminants like lead
- Not as portable for on-the-go hydration
Bottled Water
- Convenient size for carrying and storage
- Perceived as pure with good taste
- More expensive per gallon than tap water
- Generates plastic bottle waste unless using refillable containers
- May have microplastics contamination from bottles
For the best of both options, drink tap water when at home or work and bottled water when traveling. Combining both sources will ensure flexibility and affordability in meeting daily hydration needs.
Bottled Water Quality and Safety
In locations with clean municipal tap water, bottled water may not be safer or healthier. However, some things to consider include:
- Bottled water can provide higher quality when tap water is contaminated.
- Spring water comes from protected underground sources.
- Purified water undergoes reverse osmosis and distillation.
- Many brands sterilize bottles and test for bacteria.
- But quality depends on specific company practices.
- Check bottler’s website for water source and safety info.
For those concerned about tap water pathogens like lead, bottled water is likely a safer choice. Those with immune deficiencies or at high risk may prefer bottled as well.
Reducing Bottled Water Waste
To cut down on plastic waste from bottled water:
- Drink tap water and refill bottles when possible.
- Choose larger bottles rather than single-serve.
- Reuse bottles multiple times.
- Opt for jugs with recyclable plastic #1 PETE.
- Recycle properly through municipal recycling programs.
- Use reusable glass or insulated bottles whenever feasible.
Cost Comparison of Tap vs. Bottled Water
Drinking 2 liters of water per day from bottled sources is significantly more expensive than tap water. Some estimates include:
- Tap water: Less than $0.005 per gallon from the sink.
- Bottled water: $0.89 to $2.00+ per gallon.
Based on these prices:
- 2 liters bottled per day = ~$300+ per year
- 2 liters tap per day = Less than $5 per year
Of course, you can spend even less on tap water by investing in a filter system for $30-$60 per year and using reusable bottles. While bottled water offers convenience, tap water provides significant cost savings over time.
Environmental Impact of Bottled Water
Some ethical and environmental concerns around bottled water include:
- Produces over 10 billion pounds of plastic waste per year in the US.
- Plastic bottles generate over 3.5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions when transported.
- Only about 30% of bottles are recycled.
- Majority end up in landfills and oceans.
- Many plastics break down into microplastics contaminating water.
- Water extraction by bottlers can decrease natural groundwater levels.
These factors make tap water the more sustainable choice for meeting daily drinking water needs while reducing your carbon footprint.
Conclusion
To sum up, 2 liters of water is approximately equal to:
- 67.6 fluid ounces
- 6 regular 12 ounce water bottles
- 5 16 ounce bottles
- 4 18 or 20 ounce bottles
Drinking adequate water is crucial for health, energy and mental clarity. While bottled waters provide a convenient hydration solution, tap water is dramatically cheaper and more eco-friendly over the long-term. Figuring your own daily water needs based on lifestyle and conditions is key. With some preparation and reminders, getting your daily 2 liters is an achievable goal!
