A common baking measurement is the dry quart. When following recipes, it’s important to know how to accurately measure dry ingredients like flour, sugar, oats, etc. But how much exactly is a dry quart? And how can you measure it using common measuring cups? Here’s a quick answer: 4 cups equal 1 dry quart. A dry quart contains 946.35 milliliters or 32 fluid ounces. Knowing how to convert between cups and quarts is useful for recipe success!
What is a Dry Quart?
A dry quart is an American customary unit of volume used for measuring dry ingredients. It is equal to 1/4 of a gallon or 2 dry pints. The actual volume of a dry quart is 67.201 cubic inches, which equals 946.35 milliliters or 32 fluid ounces.
Some key facts about the dry quart measurement:
- Abbreviated as “qt” or sometimes “Q”
- Standard US dry quart is exactly 67.201 cubic inches in volume
- Used when measuring volumes of dry goods and ingredients like flour, sugar, rice, etc.
- Distinct from a US liquid quart, which is about 15 cubic inches larger
- 1 quart dry = 2 pints dry = 4 cups = 946.35 ml = 32 fl oz
The dry quart is smaller than the US liquid quart to account for packing losses – dry goods settle and condense when packed into a measure. So the dry quart adjusts for the gaps between particles.
Dry Quart Equivalents
Here are some of the key equivalent measurements for visualizing how much a dry quart contains:
Cups
- 1 dry quart = 4 cups
- 1 cup = 16 tablespoons = 48 teaspoons
Cups are the most common way to measure a dry quart when baking or cooking. Any standard US measuring cup can be used. Pack ingredients like flour or sugar tightly into the cup for an accurate dry quart conversion.
Fluid Ounces
- 1 dry quart = 32 fluid ounces
- 1 fluid ounce = 2 tablespoons = 6 teaspoons
Though the fluid ounce is a liquid measure, it converts evenly to the dry quart. This makes it easy to directly substitute fluid ounce markings for quarts in recipes.
Milliliters
- 1 dry quart = 946.35 milliliters
- 1 milliliter = about 0.21 teaspoons
For scientific precision, the dry quart can be converted to milliliters. This is handy for using digital kitchen scales that can weigh in metric units. Or for comparing to nutrition data which is often listed in milliliters or liters.
Grams
- 1 dry quart of all-purpose flour weighs about 411 grams
- 1 dry quart of granulated white sugar weighs about 534 grams
Most dry ingredients can be approximately converted to grams for weighing. However, keep in mind that densities can vary between brands and varieties. Refer to the nutritional label for measurement conversions of specific products.
Converting Between Cups and Quarts
Measuring out quart volumes using cup measurements (and vice versa) is simple:
- 1 quart = 4 cups
- 1 cup = 1/4 quart
Some examples:
- 2 quarts = 8 cups
- 3 cups = 3/4 quart
- 6 quarts = 24 cups
- 12 cups = 3 quarts
When a recipe calls for an odd number of cups, divide by 4 to get the quart measurement. For example:
- 7 cups = 1 3/4 quarts
- 13 cups = 3 1/4 quarts
To go from quarts to cups, simply multiply the quarts by 4. Examples:
- 2 quarts = 2 x 4 = 8 cups
- 1.5 quarts = 1.5 x 4 = 6 cups
- 0.25 quarts = 0.25 x 4 = 1 cup
Measuring a Dry Quart
There are a few easy methods for precisely measuring a dry quart:
With Measuring Cups
Use four 1-cup capacity measuring cups to scoop and level or pack the ingredient. Glass and plastic measuring cups with pour spouts work best. Dip and sweep the cups through the ingredient 4 times for an accurate dry quart.
With a Quart Liquid Measure
Some clear 2-cup glass pitchers have quart markings. Fill up to the 1-quart line using the same dip and sweep method as with cups. This can be easier and more precise for larger quantities.
By Weight
Use a kitchen scale and measure out the gram weight for a dry quart of the specific ingredient. Refer to the product’s nutrition label for weight conversions. This is the most accurate method.
With a Measuring Set
Many measuring cup sets come with a 1-quart pitcher for dry goods. Use the quart container for your total volume, adjusting other sizes as needed.
Tips for Measuring Dry Quarts Accurately
To get precise dry quart measurements for recipes, follow these tips:
- Pack tightly – Ingredients should be packed firmly into cups or containers since quarts account for packing losses.
- Level off – Use a straight edge like a knife to sweep off excess and level the surface.
- Avoid overpacking – Packing too tightly can compress ingredients like flour and make the volume too large.
- Use proper tools – Liquid or sloped measuring cups won’t work. Use dry ingredients cups with straight edges.
- Work in batches – Don’t scoop from the original container, transfer ingredients to a bowl first for easier filling and leveling.
- Weigh for precision – Use a digital kitchen scale for the utmost accuracy with dry goods.
Being precise with measurements ensures your baked goods and recipes turn out right. So take your time and carefully measure dry quarts using the proper technique.
Common Uses for Dry Quarts in Cooking and Baking
Here are some examples of when you’ll need to measure dry quart volumes accurately:
Baking
Many bread, cake, cookie, and pastry recipes call for quart-sized volumes of dry ingredients:
- 2 quarts flour for bread dough
- 1 quart oats for oatmeal cookies
- 0.5 quart cornmeal for muffins
- 1.5 quarts sugar for layer cakes
You’ll need to level or pack flour, sugar, oats and other dry goods precisely into cup or quart containers when scaling recipes.
Breakfast Foods
Cereals and grains are often measured in quart volumes:
- 1 quart oatmeal for a pot of porridge
- 2 quarts granola for baking homemade
- 0.25 quart wheat bran for topping yogurt
Use dry quart equivalents with measuring cups or scales to portion breakfast dishes correctly.
Soup Making
Thickening soup with grains or beans uses dry quart amounts:
- 0.5 quart barley to add to vegetable soup
- 1 quart dried lentils to make hearty lentil soup
- 2 quarts rice for a pot of rice and chicken soup
Proper quart measurements ensure soups thicken properly without getting too dense.
Dry Mixes and Doughs
Preparing dry ingredient mixes and doughs in advance relies on accurate dry quarts:
- Cookie mix – 2 quarts flour, 1 quart sugar, 0.5 quart cocoa powder
- Breafast smoothie mix – 1 quart oats, 0.5 quart wheat germ, 1 quart protein powder
- Pizza dough – 3 quarts flour, 1 quart cornmeal
Mixing dry goods like flours, meals, powders, etc. needs precise quart measuring for the right proportions in the final recipes.
Quart Equivalents for Common Dry Ingredients
To understand dry quart volumes better, here are some examples of quart measurements for common cooking ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour
- 1 quart all-purpose flour = 4 cups = 411 grams
- 2 quarts all-purpose flour = 8 cups = 822 grams
- 0.5 quart all-purpose flour = 2 cups = 206 grams
All-purpose is the most common wheat flour used in recipes. Measuring by cups or weight helps get accurate volumes.
Granulated White Sugar
- 1 quart granulated sugar = 4 cups = 534 grams
- 2 quarts granulated sugar = 8 cups = 1068 grams
- 0.25 quart granulated sugar = 1 cup = 134 grams
Granulated sugar is a baking staple. Packing firmly into dry cups gives the right sweetening power.
Rolled Oats
- 1 quart rolled oats = 4 cups = 292 grams
- 3 quarts rolled oats = 12 cups = 876 grams
- 0.5 quart rolled oats = 2 cups = 146 grams
Rolled oats are used in granola, cookies, breads and more. their lighter density means you can just scoop and level cups without packing.
Wheat Flour
- 1 quart whole wheat flour = 4 cups = 408 grams
- 2 quarts whole wheat flour = 8 cups = 816 grams
- 0.75 quart wheat flour = 3 cups = 306 grams
Since whole wheat flour compacts more than all-purpose, make sure to pack it well into dry cups when measuring by volume.
Brown Sugar
- 1 quart packed brown sugar = 4 cups = 537 grams
- 2 quarts packed brown sugar = 8 cups = 1074 grams
- 0.5 quart packed brown sugar = 2 cups = 269 grams
Brown sugar should always be packed firmly into a dry measures. Humidity can cause clumping with brown sugar over time.
Measuring Other Common Dry Ingredients
In addition to flour, sugar, and oats, many ingredients call for dry quart measurements in recipes:
Rice
White, brown, wild, and other rice varieties are measured in dry quarts for scaling recipes. The grain’s smooth texture means you can scoop and level cups without packing.
Beans and Lentils
Dried beans and lentils expand significantly when soaked and cooked. Measure dry quarts precisely before soaking to end up with the desired quantity.
Pasta
Large batches of baked pasta dishes like macaroni and cheese often start with dry quart measurements of the noodles.
Cornmeal
For cornbread, polenta, and other corn-based foods, whole grain cornmeal is measured in quarts when mixing big recipes.
Powdered Milk
Making large quantities of Instant milk uses dry quart equivalents for powdered milk measured by weight or tightly packed cups.
Nuts
Baking cookies, bars, muffins, and more means scaling up nuts like almonds, walnuts, pecans, and peanuts using accurate dry quart amounts.
How Dry Quarts Compare to Liquid Quarts
It’s important to know that dry quarts differ from the standard US liquid quart to account for packing losses. Here’s how they compare:
Volume
- Dry quart = 67.201 cubic inches
- Liquid quart = 57.75 cubic inches
Dry quarts contain over 9 more cubic inches than liquid quarts, about a 15% difference.
Cups
- 4 cups = 1 dry quart
- 4 cups = 1.1012 liquid quarts
The same 4 cups measurement equals 1 dry quart or 1.1012 liquid quarts – the additional 0.1012 is about 1/8 of a cup more.
Recipes
- Dry ingredients need dry quart measurements
- Wet ingredients use liquid quarts
Be sure to use the right quart for the ingredient being measured – dry goods vs liquids.
Packing
- Dry quarts account for packing losses
- Liquid quarts don’t need packing
You must firmly pack dry ingredients into a measuring cup, unlike liquids which aren’t packed.
So while the quart is a common volume for both wet and dry goods, the actual quantity is slightly different between the two depending on use.
Key Takeaways
Here’s a quick summary of the key points on measuring dry quart volumes:
- A dry quart is 67.201 cubic inches or 946.35 milliliters
- It’s equal to 4 standard measuring cups tightly packed
- Dry quarts are used for measuring bulk dry goods like flour, grains, powders, etc.
- Being precise with packing and leveling ensures accuracy
- Weighing ingredients provides the most precise dry quart conversion
- Dry quarts are different than liquid quarts in volume by about 15%
- Use dry quarts for dry ingredients and liquid quarts for wet ingredients
Understanding exactly how much a dry quart equals in cups, fluid ounces, grams, and milliliters takes the guesswork out of scaling recipes. So next time you make a large batch of oatmeal cookies, quadruple bread dough, or mix up a huge serving of homemade granola, you can precisely measure dry quarts for success!
