Handbook 44 – 2020 4.41. Liquid Measures

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Table of Contents

Page

Section 4.41. Liquid Measures............................................................................................ 4-11

A. Application .................................................................................................................................................. 4-11

A.1. General................................................................................................................................................4-11

A.2. Exceptions...........................................................................................................................................4-11

A.3. Additional Code Requirements...........................................................................................................4-11

S. Specifications............................................................................................................................................... 4-11

S.1. Units....................................................................................................................................................4-11

S.2. Material...............................................................................................................................................4-11

S.3. Capacity Point.....................................................................................................................................4-11

S.4. Reinforcing Rings. ..............................................................................................................................4-11

S.5. Discharge. ...........................................................................................................................................4-11

S.6. Marking Requirements........................................................................................................................4-11

T. Tolerances.................................................................................................................................................... 4-12

T.1. Tolerance Values....................................................................................................................................4-12
4.41. Liquid Measures Handbook 44 – 2020

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Handbook 44 – 2020 4.41. Liquid Measures

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Section 4.41. Liquid Measures

A. Application

A.1. General. – This code applies to liquid measures; that is, to rigid measures of capacity designed for general and 

repeated use in the measurement of liquids.

A.2. Exceptions. – The code does not apply to test measures or other volumetric standards.

A.3. Additional Code Requirements. – In addition to the requirements of this code, Liquid Measures shall meet 

the requirements of Section 1.10. General Code.

S. Specifications

S.1. Units.

(a) The capacity of a liquid measure marked in SI units shall be 0.1 L, 0.2 L, 0.5 L, 1 L, 2 L, 5 L, or a multiple 

of 5 L, and the measure shall not be subdivided.

(b) The capacity of a liquid measure marked in U.S. customary units shall be 1 gill, 1⁄2 liq pt, 1 liq pt, 1 liq qt, 

1⁄2 gal, 11⁄4 gal, 11⁄2 gal, or a multiple of 1 gal, and the measure shall not be subdivided. However, 3 pt and 

5 pt brick molds and 21⁄2 gal (10 qt) cans shall be permitted when used exclusively for ice cream.

S.2. Material. – Measures shall be made of metal, glass, earthenware, enameled ware, composition, or similar and 

suitable material. If made of metal, the thickness of the metal shall not be less than the appropriate value given in 

Table 1. Minimum Thickness of Metal for Liquid Measures.

S.3. Capacity Point. – The capacity of a measure shall be determined to a definite edge, or to the lowest portion of 

a plate, bar, or wire, at or near the top of the measure, and shall not include the capacity of any lip or rim that may be 

provided.

S.4. Reinforcing Rings. – Reinforcing rings, if used, shall be attached to the outside of the measure and shall show 

no divisions or lines on the inside surface of the measure.

S.5. Discharge. – A measure equipped with a discharge faucet or valve shall be susceptible to complete discharge 

through the faucet or valve when the measure is standing on a level surface.

S.6. Marking Requirements. – A measure shall be marked on its side with a statement of its capacity. If the 

capacity is stated in terms of the pint or quart, the word “Liquid” or the abbreviation “Liq” shall be included.

Table 1.

Minimum Thickness of Metal for Liquid Measures

Nominal Capacity

Minimum Thickness

For Iron or Steel, Plated, or Unplated

(inch)

For Copper or Aluminum

(inch)

1 pint or less 0.010 0.020

1 quart, 1⁄2 gallon, 1 gallon 0.014 0.028

Over 1 gallon 0.016 0.032
4.41. Liquid Measures Handbook 44 – 2020

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T. Tolerances

T.1. Tolerance Values. – Maintenance tolerances in excess and in deficiency shall be as shown in Table 2. 

Maintenance Tolerances, in Excess and in Deficiency, for Liquid Measures. Acceptance tolerances shall be one-half 

the maintenance tolerances.

Table 2.

Maintenance Tolerances, in Excess and in Deficiency, for Liquid Measures

Nominal Capacity

Tolerance

In Excess In Deficiency

fluid drams cubic inches fluid drams cubic inches

1⁄2 pt or less 2.0 0.4 1.0 0.2

1 pt 3.0 0.7 1.5 0.3

1 qt 4.0 0.9 2.0 0.5

1⁄2 gal 6.0 1.4 3.0 0.7

fluid ounces cubic inches fluid drams cubic inches

1 and 11⁄4 gal 1.0 1.8 4.0 0.9

11⁄2 gal 1.5 2.7 6.0 1.4

fluid ounces cubic inches fluid ounces cubic inches

2 gal 2.0 3.5 1.0 1.8

3 and 4 gal 4.0 7.0 2.0 3.6

5 gal 6.0 11.0 3.0 5.4

10 gal 10.0 18.0 5.0 9.0