Cups to Milliliters Converter (Cups ⇄ mL)
Convert US cups to milliliters instantly for cooking and baking. 1 cup = 236.588 mL, 1/2 cup = 118 mL, 1/4 cup = 59 mL. Perfect for following international recipes or converting between US and metric measurements.
Cups ⇄ Milliliters Calculator
Convert US cup to Milliliter (mL) and back. Perfect for fast cooking & baking conversions.
Key fact: 1 US cup = 236.588 mL (often rounded to 237 mL or 240 mL)
How many milliliters in 1 cup?
1 US cup = 236.588 milliliters (mL)
This is the standard US measurement. Metric cups (used in Australia, Canada) are 250 mL.
Complete Cups to Milliliters Conversion Chart
Quick reference table for converting US cups to milliliters. All measurements use the standard US cup (236.588 mL).
Common Fractional Cup Measurements
| Cups | Milliliters (mL) | Tablespoons |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8 cup | 29.6 mL | 2 tbsp |
| 1/4 cup | 59.1 mL | 4 tbsp |
| 1/3 cup | 78.9 mL | 5 tbsp + 1 tsp |
| 1/2 cup | 118.3 mL | 8 tbsp |
| 2/3 cup | 157.7 mL | 10 tbsp + 2 tsp |
| 3/4 cup | 177.4 mL | 12 tbsp |
| 1 cup | 236.6 mL | 16 tbsp |
Whole Cup Measurements
| Cups | Milliliters (mL) | Fluid Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 236.6 mL | 8 fl oz |
| 1.5 cups | 355 mL | 12 fl oz |
| 2 cups | 473.2 mL | 16 fl oz (1 pint) |
| 3 cups | 709.8 mL | 24 fl oz |
| 4 cups | 946.4 mL | 32 fl oz (1 quart) |
| 8 cups | 1,893 mL | 64 fl oz (1/2 gallon) |
| 16 cups | 3,785 mL | 128 fl oz (1 gallon) |
Metric to US Cup Conversions
| Milliliters (mL) | US Cups | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 50 mL | 0.21 cups | ~1/4 cup |
| 100 mL | 0.42 cups | ~1/2 cup |
| 150 mL | 0.63 cups | ~2/3 cup |
| 200 mL | 0.85 cups | ~3/4 cup + 1 tbsp |
| 250 mL | 1.06 cups | 1 metric cup |
| 500 mL | 2.11 cups | ~2 cups |
| 1,000 mL (1 L) | 4.23 cups | ~4 1/4 cups |
Understanding Different Cup Measurements
Not all "cups" are created equal! Different countries use different cup standards, which can affect your recipes.
⚠️ Important: Cup Types
| US Cup: | 236.588 mL (8 fl oz) |
| Metric Cup: | 250 mL (Australia, NZ, Canada) |
| UK Cup: | 250 mL (284 mL for imperial) |
| Japanese Cup: | 200 mL |
Always check which type of cup a recipe uses! The difference between US and metric cups is about 13.4 mL (nearly 1 tablespoon).
How to Tell Which Cup a Recipe Uses
- US recipes: Typically use 236.588 mL cups. Most American cookbooks and websites default to US cups.
- Australian/NZ recipes: Use 250 mL metric cups. Often explicitly stated as "metric cups."
- European recipes: Usually list ingredients in grams or milliliters directly, avoiding cups.
- Older UK recipes: May use imperial cups (284 mL) or switch between systems.
How to Convert Cups to Milliliters
✓ The Formula
mL = cups × 236.588
For metric cups: mL = cups × 250
Step-by-Step Examples
Example 1: Convert 2 cups to mL
- Start with the amount: 2 cups
- Multiply by 236.588: 2 × 236.588 = 473.176 mL
- Round if needed: 473 mL or ~475 mL
Example 2: Convert 1/3 cup to mL
- Start with the fraction: 1/3 cup = 0.333... cups
- Multiply by 236.588: 0.333 × 236.588 = 78.86 mL
- Round: 79 mL or ~80 mL
Quick Mental Math Shortcut
For rough estimates in the kitchen:
- 1 cup ≈ 240 mL: Easy to remember and close enough for most recipes
- 1/2 cup ≈ 120 mL: Half of 240
- 1/4 cup ≈ 60 mL: Quarter of 240
These rounded numbers are within 1-3% of the exact values and work fine for everyday cooking.
Practical Tips for Using Cups and Milliliters
📏 Get Proper Measuring Tools
Invest in both US measuring cups AND a liquid measuring cup with mL markings. This lets you follow any recipe accurately.
💧 Liquid vs Dry Measuring
Use liquid measuring cups for liquids (water, milk, oil). Use dry measuring cups for dry ingredients (flour, sugar). The measurement is the same in mL, but the technique differs.
🔄 Convert Before You Start
Convert all measurements before starting a recipe. Write them down so you don't have to calculate while cooking.
⚖️ When Precision Matters
For baking (especially bread and pastries), use a kitchen scale and measure in grams instead of cups or mL for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many milliliters in 1 cup?
1 US cup = 236.588 milliliters. This is the standard measurement used in American recipes. However, metric cups (used in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada) are 250 mL. Always check which type of cup a recipe uses.
How many mL in 1/2 cup?
1/2 cup = 118.294 milliliters, commonly rounded to 118 mL or 120 mL. This is exactly half of the standard US cup measurement.
How many mL in 1/4 cup?
1/4 cup = 59.147 milliliters, commonly rounded to 59 mL or 60 mL. This is one quarter of a US cup.
Is a US cup the same as a metric cup?
No. US cup = 236.588 mL while metric cup = 250 mL. The difference is about 13.4 mL (roughly 1 tablespoon). Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian recipes typically use metric cups.
How many cups is 500 mL?
500 mL = 2.11 US cups, which is approximately 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons. For metric cups: 500 mL = 2 metric cups exactly.
How many cups in 1 liter?
1 liter (1000 mL) = 4.23 US cups, often rounded to 4 1/4 cups. For metric cups: 1 liter = 4 metric cups exactly.
Why do recipes use cups instead of mL?
US recipes traditionally use cups because the imperial system is standard in America. Cups are convenient for home cooking since most US kitchens have measuring cups. However, professional bakers and international recipes prefer weight (grams) or volume (mL) measurements for accuracy.
Can I use a regular drinking glass as a measuring cup?
No! Regular glasses vary widely in size. A standard US cup is exactly 236.588 mL (8 fluid ounces). Always use proper measuring cups or a kitchen scale for accurate results, especially in baking.
Should I convert cups to mL or grams for baking?
For best results, convert to grams using a kitchen scale. Different ingredients have different densities (1 cup flour ≠ 1 cup sugar in grams), but they occupy the same volume in mL. Weight is more accurate than volume for baking. See our cups to grams converter for ingredient-specific conversions.
Complete US Volume Measurement Reference
| Unit | Milliliters (mL) | Cups |
|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon (tsp) | 4.93 mL | 1/48 cup |
| 1 tablespoon (tbsp) | 14.79 mL | 1/16 cup |
| 1 fluid ounce (fl oz) | 29.57 mL | 1/8 cup |
| 1 cup | 236.59 mL | 1 cup |
| 1 pint | 473.18 mL | 2 cups |
| 1 quart | 946.35 mL | 4 cups |
| 1 gallon | 3,785.41 mL | 16 cups |
Related Converters
Note
US measurements unless noted. This converter uses the standard US cup (236.588 mL). Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian recipes may use metric cups (250 mL). Always verify which cup measurement your recipe uses for best results.