Most adults need about 3 to 3½ UK pints of fluid a day (1.6–2 litres), in line with the NHS advice of 6 to 8 glasses. Women typically need about 2.8 pints (1.6 L) and men about 3.5 pints (2 L) from drinks. A UK pint is 568 ml – larger than a US pint (473 ml).
How many pints of water do I need?
Pints, litres and glasses converted
| UK pints | Litres | Millilitres | 200 ml glasses | 250 ml mugs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 pint | 0.57 L | 568 ml | 2.8 | 2.3 |
| 2 pints | 1.14 L | 1,136 ml | 5.7 | 4.5 |
| 2.5 pints | 1.42 L | 1,420 ml | 7.1 | 5.7 |
| 3 pints | 1.70 L | 1,705 ml | 8.5 | 6.8 |
| 3.5 pints | 1.99 L | 1,989 ml | 9.9 | 8.0 |
| 4 pints | 2.27 L | 2,273 ml | 11.4 | 9.1 |
| 5 pints | 2.84 L | 2,841 ml | 14.2 | 11.4 |
1 UK (imperial) pint = 568.26 ml. 1 litre = 1.76 UK pints.
How many pints is 2 litres?
2 litres = 3.5 UK pints (or 4.2 US pints). 1.5 litres is 2.6 pints, and 3 litres is 5.3 pints.
Is a pint of water a day enough?
No – one pint (568 ml) is only about a third of what most adults need from drinks. But remember that tea, coffee, milk and other drinks count too, so you may already be drinking more than you think. Track a typical day: a mug of tea is about half a pint.
More detail: how much water should you drink a day and water intake by age.
Frequently asked questions
How many pints of water should I drink a day?
About 3 to 3½ UK pints of fluid a day for most adults – roughly 2.8 pints for women and 3.5 pints for men.
How many pints is 2 litres of water?
2 litres is 3.5 UK pints.
Is a UK pint the same as a US pint?
No. A UK pint is 568 ml; a US pint is 473 ml.
Do I need 8 pints of water a day?
No. Eight glasses (about 1.6 litres, or 2.8 pints) is the usual guide, not eight pints.
Related tools and guides
About this page
Sources
Medical disclaimer: this guide is general information for adults and is not a diagnosis or medical advice. bmicalculatornhs.net is independent and not affiliated with the NHS. Speak to your GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional about your own health. Full disclaimer.