Ounces to Milliliters Converter (fl oz ⇄ mL)
Convert US fluid ounces to milliliters instantly for cooking, baking, and beverages. 1 fl oz = 29.57 mL, 8 fl oz = 237 mL, 16 fl oz = 473 mL. This converter is perfect for following international recipes, measuring liquids, and converting between US and metric measurements.
Fluid Ounces ⇄ Milliliters Calculator
Convert US fluid ounce (fl oz) to Milliliter (mL) and back. Perfect for fast cooking & baking conversions.
Key fact: 1 US fl oz = 29.5735 mL (often rounded to 30 mL)
How many milliliters in 1 ounce?
1 US fluid ounce = 29.5735 milliliters (mL)
This is the standard US measurement. UK/Imperial fluid ounces are 28.41 mL.
Complete Fluid Ounces to Milliliters Conversion Chart
Quick reference table for converting US fluid ounces to milliliters. All measurements use the standard US fluid ounce (29.5735 mL).
Common Fluid Ounce Measurements
| Fluid Ounces (fl oz) | Milliliters (mL) | Cups |
|---|---|---|
| 1 fl oz | 29.6 mL | 1/8 cup |
| 2 fl oz | 59.1 mL | 1/4 cup |
| 4 fl oz | 118.3 mL | 1/2 cup |
| 6 fl oz | 177.4 mL | 3/4 cup |
| 8 fl oz | 236.6 mL | 1 cup |
| 12 fl oz | 355 mL | 1.5 cups |
| 16 fl oz | 473.2 mL | 2 cups (1 pint) |
| 20 fl oz | 591.5 mL | 2.5 cups |
| 24 fl oz | 710 mL | 3 cups |
| 32 fl oz | 946.4 mL | 4 cups (1 quart) |
Milliliters to Fluid Ounces
| Milliliters (mL) | US Fluid Ounces (fl oz) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 15 mL | 0.51 fl oz | ~1/2 fl oz (1 tablespoon) |
| 30 mL | 1.01 fl oz | ~1 fl oz (2 tablespoons) |
| 50 mL | 1.69 fl oz | Shot (liquor) |
| 100 mL | 3.38 fl oz | ~1/3 cup |
| 150 mL | 5.07 fl oz | ~2/3 cup |
| 200 mL | 6.76 fl oz | ~3/4 cup + 1 tbsp |
| 250 mL | 8.45 fl oz | 1 metric cup |
| 500 mL | 16.9 fl oz | Standard water bottle |
| 750 mL | 25.4 fl oz | Wine bottle |
| 1,000 mL (1 L) | 33.8 fl oz | ~4 1/4 cups |
Common Beverage Sizes
| Beverage | Fluid Ounces (fl oz) | Milliliters (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Shot (liquor) | 1.5 fl oz | 44 mL |
| Espresso (double) | 2 fl oz | 60 mL |
| Coffee cup (small) | 6 fl oz | 177 mL |
| Coffee mug (standard) | 8-12 fl oz | 237-355 mL |
| Soda can | 12 fl oz | 355 mL |
| Water bottle (standard) | 16.9 fl oz | 500 mL |
| Starbucks Grande | 16 fl oz | 473 mL |
| Starbucks Venti | 20 fl oz | 591 mL |
| Wine bottle | 25.4 fl oz | 750 mL |
| Large soda bottle | 33.8 fl oz | 1 liter |
| 2-liter bottle | 67.6 fl oz | 2,000 mL |
Understanding US vs UK Fluid Ounces
Not all fluid ounces are the same! The US and UK use different fluid ounce measurements, which can affect your recipes.
⚠️ Important: Fluid Ounce Types
| US Fluid Ounce: | 29.5735 mL |
| UK/Imperial Fluid Ounce: | 28.4131 mL |
| Difference: | ~1.16 mL (about 4% difference) |
Always check which type of fluid ounce a recipe uses! This converter uses US fluid ounces by default.
How to Tell Which Fluid Ounce a Recipe Uses
- US recipes: Typically use 29.5735 mL fluid ounces. Most American cookbooks and websites default to US fl oz.
- UK recipes: May use Imperial fluid ounces (28.41 mL). Older British recipes especially.
- International recipes: Usually list liquids in milliliters directly, avoiding fluid ounces.
- Look for context clues: If recipe also uses cups (236.6 mL = 8 fl oz), it's US measurements.
Comparison Table: US vs UK Fluid Ounces
| Amount | US Fluid Ounces | UK Fluid Ounces | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 fl oz | 29.57 mL | 28.41 mL | 1.16 mL |
| 8 fl oz | 236.6 mL | 227.3 mL | 9.3 mL |
| 16 fl oz | 473.2 mL | 454.6 mL | 18.6 mL |
| 32 fl oz | 946.4 mL | 909.2 mL | 37.2 mL |
How to Convert Fluid Ounces to Milliliters
✓ The Formula
mL = fl oz × 29.5735
To go the other way: fl oz = mL ÷ 29.5735
Quick Mental Math Shortcut
For rough estimates in the kitchen, use these simplified numbers:
- 1 fl oz ≈ 30 mL: Easy to remember and accurate enough for most recipes
- 8 fl oz ≈ 240 mL: Close to the actual 236.6 mL (1 cup)
- 16 fl oz ≈ 475 mL: Near the actual 473.2 mL (1 pint)
These rounded numbers are within 1-2% of exact values and work fine for everyday cooking.
Step-by-Step Conversion Examples
Example 1: Convert 12 fl oz to mL
- Start with the amount: 12 fl oz
- Multiply by 29.5735: 12 × 29.5735 = 354.882 mL
- Round if needed: 355 mL (standard soda can size)
Example 2: Convert 4 fl oz to mL
- Start with the amount: 4 fl oz
- Multiply by 29.5735: 4 × 29.5735 = 118.294 mL
- Round: 118 mL or ~120 mL (1/2 cup)
Example 3: Convert 500 mL to fl oz
- Start with milliliters: 500 mL
- Divide by 29.5735: 500 ÷ 29.5735 = 16.907 fl oz
- Round: 16.9 fl oz (standard water bottle)
Example 4: Convert 250 mL to fl oz
- Start with milliliters: 250 mL
- Divide by 29.5735: 250 ÷ 29.5735 = 8.454 fl oz
- Round: 8.45 fl oz (1 metric cup)
Practical Tips for Measuring Liquids
📏 Use Liquid Measuring Tools
Glass or clear plastic measuring cups with mL and fl oz markings are ideal. Many show both US and metric measurements on the same cup.
👁️ Read at Eye Level
Place the measuring cup on a flat surface and crouch down to read the measurement at eye level. Reading from above causes significant errors.
💧 Check the Meniscus
Liquid curves slightly at the surface. Read the measurement at the bottom of the curve (meniscus), not where liquid climbs the cup's edges.
🌡️ Temperature Matters
Hot liquids expand and cold liquids contract. Measure at room temperature when possible, or let hot liquids cool slightly before measuring.
Common Measuring Mistakes to Avoid
- Using regular glasses: Drinking glasses vary widely in size. Always use proper measuring tools.
- Confusing weight and volume: Fluid ounces measure volume; regular ounces measure weight. They're different!
- Reading from above: This causes parallax error. Always read at eye level.
- Overfilling: Fill to the measurement line, not over it. Surface tension can hold extra liquid.
- Using dry measuring cups for liquids: Dry cups don't have spouts and are less accurate for liquids.
Why Professional Chefs Use Milliliters (Not Fluid Ounces)
Volume measurements in milliliters are more precise and universal than fluid ounces. Here's why:
🌍 Universal Standard
Milliliters are used worldwide. Only the US primarily uses fluid ounces. International recipes are in mL, making them easier to share globally.
🎯 More Precise
Milliliters are smaller units (1 fl oz = 29.57 mL), allowing for more precise measurements. This matters in cocktails, medicines, and baking.
🔢 Easier Math
Metric system uses base-10. Converting between mL and liters is simple: 1,000 mL = 1 L. No awkward fractions like with ounces and cups.
🧪 Scientific Accuracy
In professional kitchens, labs, and medicine, mL is standard. It integrates seamlessly with weight measurements (1 mL water ≈ 1 gram).
Pro tip: Invest in measuring tools that show both fl oz and mL. This lets you follow any recipe accurately, whether it uses US or metric measurements. Many modern measuring cups and kitchen scales display both units.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many milliliters in 1 ounce?
1 US fluid ounce = 29.5735 milliliters (mL), commonly rounded to 30 mL for quick calculations. Note that UK/Imperial fluid ounces are slightly smaller at 28.41 mL. This converter uses US fluid ounces by default.
How many mL in 8 fl oz?
8 fluid ounces = 236.588 milliliters, commonly rounded to 237 mL or 240 mL. This is exactly one US cup. Formula: 8 × 29.5735 = 236.588 mL.
How many mL in 16 fl oz?
16 fluid ounces = 473.176 milliliters, commonly rounded to 473 mL. This is 2 cups or 1 US pint. Formula: 16 × 29.5735 = 473.176 mL.
How many fl oz in 500 mL?
500 milliliters = 16.907 fluid ounces, commonly rounded to 16.9 fl oz. This is a standard water bottle size. Formula: 500 ÷ 29.5735 = 16.907 fl oz.
Is a US fluid ounce the same as a UK fluid ounce?
No. US fl oz = 29.5735 mL while UK/Imperial fl oz = 28.4131 mL. The difference is about 1.16 mL per ounce, which adds up in larger quantities. Always check which system a recipe uses.
How many mL in 1 liter?
1 liter = 1,000 milliliters by definition. The metric system is base-10, making conversions simple. In fluid ounces: 1 liter = 33.814 US fl oz.
How many mL in 12 fl oz?
12 fluid ounces = 354.882 milliliters, commonly rounded to 355 mL. This is a standard soda can size. Formula: 12 × 29.5735 = 354.882 mL.
What's the difference between fluid ounces and ounces?
Fluid ounces (fl oz) measure volume (the space a liquid occupies), while ounces (oz) measure weight (how heavy something is). 8 fl oz of water weighs about 8 oz, but 8 fl oz of honey weighs about 12 oz because it's denser. Never confuse the two!
How many mL in a tablespoon?
1 US tablespoon = 14.787 milliliters, commonly rounded to 15 mL. Since 1 fl oz = 2 tablespoons, you can use this for quick conversions. Formula: 29.5735 ÷ 2 = 14.787 mL.
Should I use mL or fl oz for recipes?
Use whichever measurement the recipe specifies. If you have a choice, milliliters are more accurate and universal. Professional chefs and international recipes prefer mL. However, if cooking US recipes, knowing fl oz conversions is essential since most American cookbooks use fluid ounces and cups.
How accurate is the 30 mL = 1 fl oz approximation?
The approximation 1 fl oz ≈ 30 mL is 98.6% accurate (actual: 29.5735 mL). The 0.4265 mL difference is negligible for most cooking. However, for precise baking, cocktails, or medicine, use the exact conversion: 29.5735 mL per fl oz.
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Note
US measurements unless noted. This converter uses standard US fluid ounces (29.5735 mL). UK/Imperial fluid ounces are slightly different (28.41 mL). For professional baking or critical applications, verify measurements with calibrated tools. Results are estimates—measuring technique and temperature can affect accuracy.