Healthy kidneys balance the amount of fluid that enters and leaves the body. If your kidneys can't maintain this fluid balance, you may need to limit your fluid intake. Always talk with your healthcare provider and ask how many ounces of fluid you can have every 24 hours. For accuracy, it's helpful to use a certain glass or mug and measure how much fluid it holds. Some glasses and mugs may look the same size. But they can hold different amounts of fluid. The information below can help.
What counts as a fluid?
Fluids are foods that are liquid at room temperature. Foods that count toward your fluid intake include:
-
Water for drinking and taking medicines.
-
Ice cubes and ice chips.
-
Coffee and tea.
-
Sodas.
-
Milk, cream, and liquid creamer.
-
Juices, both fruit and vegetable.
-
Soups.
-
Flavored ice pops.
-
Ice cream, sherbets, and sorbets.
-
Gelatin dessert, such as Jell-O.
Figuring fluid amounts
Fluids can be measured in different ways. The chart below can help you convert among units of measure. For ease of use, some numbers have been rounded off.
|
1 liter |
4.2 cups |
34 ounces |
1,000 ml |
|
1 quart |
4 cups |
32 ounces |
1,000 ml |
|
1 pint |
2 cups |
16 ounces |
500 ml |
|
1/2 pint |
1 cup |
8 ounces |
250 ml |
|
1/2 cup |
4 ounces |
120 ml |
|
|
1/3 cup |
3 ounces |
80 ml |
|
|
1/4 cup |
2 ounces |
60 ml |
|
|
2 tbsp |
1/8 cup |
1 ounce |
30 ml |
Online Medical Reviewer: Marianne Fraser MSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Walead Latif MD
Date Last Reviewed: 02/01/2025
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Need Help? We're Here for You
Our Member and Recipient Services Team is here to help you understand your benefits, find care, or resolve concerns.
800-510-9132
Call NC Quitline
Need support to quit smoking, vaping, or to quit other nicotine products? You can receive support including medicines free of charge:
800-784-8669
Schedule Transportation
Need transportation to a doctor's office, pharmacy, or other covered healthcare service? Contact us to arrange your ride.
800-510-9132
Provider Directory
Need to find a provider like a Primary Care Physician, Specialist, OB/GYN, or a Psychiatrist?
Provider DirectoryRelated Articles
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
When the kidneys don't work normally and waste products start to build up in the blood, this is called chronic kidney disease (CKD). Read on to learn how to care for yourself at home.
Urine Strainer
A urine strainer is used to collect a kidney stone from the urine stream. Learn how to use a urine strainer.
Foley Catheter Care
A Foley catheter is a flexible plastic or rubber tube that is placed through the urethra (opening where urine comes out) and into the bladder. This helps drain urine from the bladder. There is a small balloon on the end of the tube that is inflated after insertion. This keeps the catheter from sliding out of the bladder.
Kidney Disease: Getting the Right Amount of Protein
If your kidneys can't filter wastes from your blood normally, the BUN (blood urea nitrogen) level increases. If the level gets too high, you can become sick. Because of this, you need to control the amount of protein you eat each day. Use this sheet to help you.
