Convert Doe (되) to Liters (L)

How Doe relates to liters (1 doe = 1.8L)

The doe (되) is a traditional Korean volume unit equal to exactly 1.8L, or 1800mL. To convert doe to liters, simply multiply the doe value by 1.8. For example, 3 doe = 3 × 1.8 = 5.4L, and 5 doe = 9L. Ten doe equals 18L, which is also exactly one mal (말). The smaller unit, the hop (홉), is one-tenth of a doe at 180mL, so 5 hop = 0.9L. For doe-to-liter conversion, just remember to always multiply by 1.8.

When Koreans search for this

Traditional liquor recipes often list water or rice by the doe, so home brewers need to convert them to modern measuring cups and liters. When making makgeolli or dongdongju, ratios like 'one doe of steamed rice to X doe of water' must be translated into liters for accuracy. People also use this after buying grain measured by the doe at rural markets or mills, wanting to know the actual volume. It helps when sesame or perilla oil is sold by the doe and you want the liter equivalent. Those reproducing a grandmother's recipe with today's measuring tools search for this most often.

Reference points and a caution

The easy anchors are 1 doe = 1.8L (1800mL) and 10 doe = 1 mal = 18L. A standard 1.8L soju or soy-sauce bottle holds exactly one doe, which makes it easy to picture. Be careful, though — the doe is a volume unit, so while one doe of rice is 1.8L by volume, it weighs only about 1.6kg. Water at 1.8L weighs about 1.8kg, but grains like rice have air gaps between the kernels, so volume and weight differ. When asking 'how many kg is X doe of rice,' apply the weight basis (about 1.6kg per doe) separately from the liter conversion.

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