Stomach Capacity: How Much Can It Hold? (1.5–4 Liters)

The average adult stomach holds 1.5–2 liters comfortably. As a muscular organ, it can stretch to ~4 liters (1 gallon) in extreme cases (competitive eating).

Physiology

• Gastric accommodation: receptive relaxation allows volume expansion.
• Secretes HCl, pepsin, intrinsic factor.
• Chyme released gradually into duodenum.

Overeating stretches the stomach, causing discomfort, reflux, and delayed emptying. Normal meals are 0.5–1 liter.