QUICK ANSWER
"Qué tanto" is a phrase which is often translated as "how much", and "cuánto" is an adjective which is also often translated as "how much". Learn more about the difference between "qué tanto" and "cuánto" below.
qué tanto(
keh
tahn
-
toh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (general) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. how much
¿Qué tanto tienes que pagar por adelantado para reservar las entradas?How much have you got to pay in advance to book the tickets?
cuánto(
kwahn
-
toh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. how much (quantity, singular)
¿Cuánto arroz se necesita para la paella?How much rice do you need for a paella?
b. how many (quantity, plural)
¿Cuántos regalos les han dado en Navidad?How many presents did you get for Christmas?
c. so many (countable)
¡Cuántos caramelos tiene escondidos el abuelo en su casa!Grandpa has so many candies hidden in his house!
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
a. how much (quantity, singular)
¿Cuánto te han costado las entradas?How much did you pay for the tickets?
b. how many (quantity, plural)
¿Cuántos de ustedes están dispuestos a ir a la huelga?How many of you are ready to go on strike?
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡Cuánto te tardaste en llegar!It's taken you ages to get here!
¡Cuántos han venido a la fiesta!So many people have come to the party!
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡Cuánto quiero que me lleves a ese restaurante de nuevo!I want you to take me back to that restaurant so badly!
¡Cuánto te he echado de menos!I've missed you so much!
