Handbook 44 - 2008 4.41. Liquid Measures 

Section 4.41. Liquid Measures 

A. Application 

A.1. - 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. - The code does not apply to test measures or other volumetric standards. 

A.3. - See also Sec. 1.10; General Code requirements. 

S. Specifications 

S.1. Units. - 

(a) The capacity of a liquid measure 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 shall be 1 gill, 1⁄2 liquid pint, 1 liquid pint, 1 liquid quart, 1⁄2 gallon, 11⁄4 gallon, 

11⁄2 gallon, or a multiple of 1 gallon, and the measure shall not be subdivided. However, 3-pint and 5-pint brick 

molds and 21⁄2 gallon (10-quart) 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. 

Table 1. 

Minimum Thickness of Metal for Liquid Measures

Minimum Thickness 

Nominal Capacity 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 

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. 

T. Tolerances 

T.1. - 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. 

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4.41. Liquid Measures Handbook 44 - 2008 

Table 2. 

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

Tolerance 

Nominal Capacity In Excess In Deficiency 

fluid drams cubic inches fluid drams cubic inches 

1⁄2 pint or less 2.0 0.4 1.0 0.2 

1 pint 3.0 0.7 1.5 0.3 

1 quart 4.0 0.9 2.0 0.5 

1⁄2 gallon 6.0 1.4 3.0 0.7 

fluid ounces cubic inches fluid drams cubic inches 

1 and 11⁄4 gallons 1.0 1.8 4.0 0.9 

11⁄2 gallons 1.5 2.7 6.0 1.4 

fluid ounces cubic inches fluid ounces cubic inches 

2 gallons 2.0 3.5 1.0 1.8 

3 and 4 gallons 4.0 7.0 2.0 3.6 

5 gallons 6.0 11.0 3.0 5.4 

10 gallons 10.0 18.0 5.0 9.0 

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