Milliliters to Cups Converter (mL to Cups)
Convert milliliters to US cups instantly for cooking and baking. 250 mL = 1.06 cups, 500 mL = 2.11 cups, 100 mL = 0.42 cups. Perfect for following international recipes or converting between metric and US measurements.
Milliliters ⇄ Cups Calculator
Convert Milliliter (mL) to US cup and back. Perfect for fast cooking & baking conversions.
Key fact: 1 US cup = 236.588 mL • 250 mL (metric cup) = 1.06 US cups
How many cups is 250 mL?
250 mL = 1.06 US cups (approximately 1 cup)
250 milliliters is the size of a metric cup. For practical cooking, it can be rounded to 1 US cup.
Complete Milliliters to Cups Conversion Chart
Quick reference table for converting milliliters to US cups. All measurements use the standard US cup (236.588 mL).
Common Milliliter Measurements
| Milliliters (mL) | US Cups | Approximate |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mL | 0.13 cups | ~1/8 cup (2 tbsp) |
| 60 mL | 0.25 cups | 1/4 cup |
| 80 mL | 0.34 cups | ~1/3 cup |
| 100 mL | 0.42 cups | ~2/5 cup |
| 120 mL | 0.51 cups | ~1/2 cup |
| 150 mL | 0.63 cups | ~2/3 cup |
| 180 mL | 0.76 cups | ~3/4 cup |
| 200 mL | 0.85 cups | ~3/4 cup + 1 tbsp |
| 237 mL | 1.00 cups | 1 US cup (exact) |
| 250 mL | 1.06 cups | 1 metric cup |
| 300 mL | 1.27 cups | ~1 1/4 cups |
| 400 mL | 1.69 cups | ~1 2/3 cups |
| 500 mL | 2.11 cups | ~2 cups (1/2 liter) |
| 750 mL | 3.17 cups | ~3 cups |
| 1,000 mL (1 L) | 4.23 cups | ~4 1/4 cups |
Common Beverage Sizes
| Container | Milliliters (mL) | US Cups |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee cup (small) | 180 mL | 0.76 cups (3/4 cup) |
| Coffee mug (standard) | 240 mL | 1.01 cups |
| Soda can | 355 mL | 1.5 cups |
| Water bottle (small) | 500 mL | 2.11 cups |
| Wine bottle | 750 mL | 3.17 cups |
| Water bottle (large) | 1,000 mL (1 L) | 4.23 cups |
| Soda bottle (large) | 2,000 mL (2 L) | 8.45 cups |
How to Convert Milliliters to Cups
✓ The Formula
cups = mL ÷ 236.588
For quick estimates: cups = mL ÷ 240 (close enough for cooking)
To go the other way: mL = cups × 236.588
Step-by-Step Examples
Example 1: Convert 500 mL to cups
- Start with the amount: 500 mL
- Divide by 236.588: 500 ÷ 236.588 = 2.113 cups
- Result: 500 mL ≈ 2.1 cups (or 2 cups)
Example 2: Convert 250 mL to cups
- Start with the amount: 250 mL
- Divide by 236.588: 250 ÷ 236.588 = 1.057 cups
- Result: 250 mL ≈ 1.06 cups (or 1 cup)
Example 3: Convert 100 mL to cups
- Start with the amount: 100 mL
- Divide by 236.588: 100 ÷ 236.588 = 0.423 cups
- Result: 100 mL ≈ 0.42 cups (slightly less than 1/2 cup)
Quick Mental Math Trick
For rough estimates in the kitchen:
- 250 mL ≈ 1 cup: Easy to remember (it's a metric cup)
- 500 mL ≈ 2 cups: Half a liter
- 1000 mL (1 L) ≈ 4 cups: One liter
- Divide by 250 for quick estimate: Not exact, but close enough for most cooking
US Cups vs Metric Cups: Understanding the Difference
Not all "cups" are created equal! Different countries use different cup standards.
⚠️ Important: Cup Types
| US Cup: | 236.588 mL |
| Metric Cup: | 250 mL (Australia, NZ, Canada) |
| UK Cup: | 250 mL (metric) or 284 mL (imperial) |
| Japanese Cup: | 200 mL |
This converter uses US cups (236.588 mL). The difference between US and metric cups is about 13.4 mL (nearly 1 tablespoon).
Practical Tips for Converting Milliliters to Cups
🌍 International Recipes
European and Asian recipes often list liquids in milliliters. Use this converter to adapt them to US cup measurements for easier cooking.
📏 Use Liquid Measuring Cups
Liquid measuring cups have mL markings. Place on a flat surface and read at eye level for accurate measurements.
🔄 Convert Before Cooking
Convert all measurements before starting a recipe. Write them down so you don't have to calculate while cooking.
⚖️ For Precision, Use Grams
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 cups is 250 mL?
250 milliliters = 1.06 US cups (approximately 1 cup). This is the size of a metric cup. For practical cooking purposes, 250 mL can be rounded to 1 US cup.
How many cups is 500 mL?
500 milliliters = 2.11 US cups (approximately 2 cups). This is half a liter and a common water bottle size. Formula: 500 ÷ 236.588 = 2.11 cups.
How many cups is 100 mL?
100 milliliters = 0.42 US cups. This is approximately 2/5 cup or about 6-7 tablespoons. For practical use, 100 mL is slightly less than 1/2 cup.
How many milliliters in 1 cup?
1 US cup = 236.588 milliliters (often rounded to 237 mL or 240 mL for cooking). Note that metric cups used in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand are exactly 250 mL.
How many cups is 200 mL?
200 milliliters = 0.85 US cups. This is approximately 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon. Formula: 200 ÷ 236.588 = 0.85 cups.
How many cups is 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.
Is 250 mL the same as 1 cup?
Almost, but not exactly. 250 mL = 1.06 US cups. 250 mL is exactly 1 metric cup (used in Australia, New Zealand, Canada), but slightly more than 1 US cup (236.588 mL). For most cooking, the difference is small enough to ignore.
How many cups of water should I drink daily?
The common recommendation is 8 cups (about 2 liters or 2000 mL) of water per day, though individual needs vary. Two 1-liter bottles equals approximately 8.5 cups.
Can I use a regular drinking glass to measure mL?
No! Regular glasses vary widely in size. Always use proper measuring cups with mL markings or a kitchen scale for accurate results, especially in baking.
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Note
US measurements unless noted. This converter uses standard US cups (236.588 mL). Metric cups used in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada are 250 mL. Always verify which cup measurement your recipe uses for best results.