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Cups to Milliliters Converter

Easily convert between cups and milliliters with our free calculator. Supports US, UK, and metric cup standards for accurate cooking and baking measurements.

Conversion Settings

Common Conversions

¼

cup

½

cup

¾

cup

1

cup

1½

cups

2

cups

Conversion Guide

To convert between cups and milliliters accurately, follow these guidelines:

Cup Standards:

  • US Standard Cup: 236.59 ml (most common in American recipes)
  • UK Imperial Cup: 284.13 ml (used in British recipes, especially older ones)
  • Metric Cup: 250 ml (used in Australia, New Zealand, and modern international recipes)

Key Equivalents:

  • 1 US Standard Cup = 236.59 ml
  • 1 UK Imperial Cup = 284.13 ml
  • 1 Metric Cup = 250 ml

When following recipes, it's important to know which cup standard is being used, as the difference can affect your results, especially in baking where precision matters.

Why is this important?

The difference between cup standards can be significant. For example, a recipe calling for 4 cups of flour could mean nearly 200 ml difference between US and UK measurements, which can drastically affect baking results.

Conversion Result

236.59 ml
1 US Standard Cup = 236.59 milliliters
Based on US Standard Cup measurement

Alternative Standards

Cup Standard Milliliters
US Standard 236.59 ml
UK Imperial 284.13 ml
Metric 250 ml

Common Cup to Milliliter Conversions

Cups US Standard (ml) UK Imperial (ml) Metric (ml)
¼ cup 59.15 ml 71.03 ml 62.5 ml
⅓ cup 78.86 ml 94.71 ml 83.33 ml
½ cup 118.29 ml 142.07 ml 125 ml
⅔ cup 157.73 ml 189.42 ml 166.67 ml
¾ cup 177.44 ml 213.10 ml 187.5 ml
1 cup 236.59 ml 284.13 ml 250 ml
1½ cups 354.88 ml 426.20 ml 375 ml
2 cups 473.18 ml 568.26 ml 500 ml
3 cups 709.76 ml 852.39 ml 750 ml
4 cups 946.35 ml 1136.52 ml 1000 ml
About Cup Measurements
Cooking & Baking Tips
Conversion Accuracy
Liquid vs. Dry Ingredients

Understanding Cup Measurements Around the World

Cup measurements are a common volumetric unit in cooking and baking, but their exact size varies depending on region and standard:

  • US Standard Cup: The US customary cup equals 236.59 milliliters or 8 US fluid ounces. This is the standard used in American recipes.
  • UK Imperial Cup: The British imperial cup equals 284.13 milliliters or 10 imperial fluid ounces. This standard is used in traditional British recipes.
  • Metric Cup: The metric cup equals exactly 250 milliliters. This standard is used in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and in many modern international recipes.
  • Japanese Cup: In Japan, a standard cup (一カップ) equals 200 milliliters.
  • Traditional Chinese Cup: In traditional Chinese cooking, a standard cup equals approximately 240 milliliters.

These variations emerged from different historical measurement systems and have been standardized differently across countries. The development of the metric system has helped to standardize measurements internationally, but regional cup measurements persist in recipes and cookbooks.

When following a recipe, it's important to know which cup standard it uses. Modern recipe books often include measurements in multiple formats to accommodate international readers.

Cooking and Baking Tips for Measurement Conversion

Converting between cups and milliliters can be crucial for recipe success. Here are some tips to help you get the best results:

  • Consider the recipe origin: American recipes typically use US Standard cups, British recipes use UK Imperial cups, and Australian or modern international recipes often use metric cups.
  • Baking requires precision: For baking, accurate measurements are critical. Consider using a kitchen scale and measuring in grams rather than cups for the most consistent results.
  • Rounding for practicality: In everyday cooking (not precise baking), you can often round measurements for convenience. For example, treating 240 ml as 1 US cup is close enough for most cooking applications.
  • Volume vs. weight: Remember that cups measure volume, not weight. The weight of a cup of ingredient will vary dramatically depending on what you're measuring (e.g., a cup of flour weighs much less than a cup of honey).
  • Measuring technique matters: For dry ingredients like flour, how you fill the cup (scooping vs. spooning) can significantly change the amount you're using. Level off dry ingredients with a straight edge for consistency.
  • Regional equivalents: If using a recipe from another country, convert all measurements consistently rather than just some of them.

Professional bakers often prefer to work with weight measurements (grams) rather than volume (cups) because it provides more consistent results, especially for dry ingredients like flour and sugar.

Understanding Conversion Accuracy

When converting between cups and milliliters, several factors can affect accuracy:

  • Rounding effects: Some conversions result in odd numbers that are often rounded for practicality. This can lead to small cumulative errors in a recipe.
  • Temperature considerations: Liquid volumes can expand or contract slightly with temperature changes, which can affect very precise measurements.
  • Measurement tools: The accuracy of your measuring cups and spoons plays a role. Not all kitchen tools are calibrated perfectly.
  • Conversion precision: The exact conversion values are:
    • 1 US Standard Cup = 236.5882365 ml (commonly rounded to 236.59 ml)
    • 1 UK Imperial Cup = 284.131 ml
    • 1 Metric Cup = 250 ml (exact)
  • Recipe tolerance: Different recipes have different tolerances for measurement precision. Bread and pastry baking typically require more precision than soups or stews.

For most home cooking purposes, conversions accurate to the nearest 5 ml are sufficient. For baking and other precision applications, accuracy to the nearest 1 ml may be preferred.

Many cooking experts recommend investing in a good digital kitchen scale that can measure in both grams and ounces for the most consistent results across different types of recipes.

Liquid vs. Dry Ingredients

The cup-to-milliliter conversion is the same for both liquid and dry ingredients, but there are important differences in how they should be measured:

Liquid Ingredients:
  • Use a liquid measuring cup with a pour spout and measurement lines
  • Place on a flat surface and read the measurement at eye level
  • Measure to the bottom of the meniscus (the curved surface of the liquid)
  • Common liquid ingredients include water, milk, oil, and liquid sweeteners
Dry Ingredients:
  • Use nested measuring cups designed for dry ingredients
  • For flour: spoon into the measuring cup and level off with a straight edge
  • For sugar: depending on the recipe, you may need to pack it (brown sugar) or spoon it (granulated sugar)
  • For precise baking, weighing dry ingredients is recommended

When converting between cups and milliliters, the conversion value remains the same whether measuring liquid or dry ingredients. However, it's important to note that a cup of different ingredients will have different weights:

  • 1 cup (US) of water = 236.59 ml = about 236.59 grams
  • 1 cup (US) of all-purpose flour = 236.59 ml = about 120-125 grams
  • 1 cup (US) of granulated sugar = 236.59 ml = about 200 grams

This difference in weight is why serious bakers prefer to measure by weight rather than volume for consistent results.

Picture of Dr. Evelyn Carter

Dr. Evelyn Carter

Author | Chief Calculations Architect & Multi-Disciplinary Analyst

Table of Contents

Cups to Milliliters: The Essential Kitchen Conversion Guide

Converting between cups and milliliters is crucial for following recipes from different countries and achieving consistent cooking results. Our comprehensive calculator above helps you convert between these measurements accurately, supporting US, UK, and metric cup standards to ensure your recipes turn out perfectly every time.

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Why Cup to Milliliter Conversions Matter in Cooking

Recipe measurements vary widely around the world, with different countries using their own cup standards. Understanding these differences can significantly impact your cooking and baking success, especially for recipes requiring precise measurements.

Key Cup Standards Around the World

  • US Standard Cup: 236.59 ml (used in American recipes)
  • UK Imperial Cup: 284.13 ml (used in traditional British recipes)
  • Metric Cup: 250 ml (used in Australia, New Zealand, and modern international recipes)
  • Japanese Cup: 200 ml (used in Japanese recipes)

These variations can significantly affect your recipes. For example, a recipe calling for 4 cups of flour could mean a difference of nearly 200 ml between US and UK measurements—enough to make the difference between a perfect cake and a dry, dense one.

The Science of Measurement in Cooking

Understanding the science behind cooking measurements helps explain why precise conversions are important:

Volume vs. Weight

When converting between cups and milliliters, remember that both are volume measurements, not weight measurements. This means:

  • 1 cup of water = 1 cup of milk in volume, but they have different weights
  • 1 cup of flour weighs much less than 1 cup of honey
  • For precision, especially in baking, many professional chefs prefer weight measurements (grams)

This is why serious bakers often convert volume measurements to weight for better consistency.

Dry vs. Liquid Ingredients

The cup-to-milliliter conversion is the same for both, but the measuring technique differs:

  • Liquid ingredients should be measured in a liquid measuring cup with a pour spout
  • Dry ingredients should be measured in nested measuring cups and leveled off
  • How you fill a measuring cup with flour (scooping vs. spooning) can change the amount by up to 20%
  • Temperature can affect liquid volume slightly due to expansion and contraction

These differences explain why the same recipe can produce different results when made by different people.

Common Cup to Milliliter Conversions

For quick reference, here are the most common cup to milliliter conversions using different cup standards:

Cups US Standard (ml) UK Imperial (ml) Metric (ml)
¼ cup 59.15 ml 71.03 ml 62.5 ml
⅓ cup 78.86 ml 94.71 ml 83.33 ml
½ cup 118.29 ml 142.07 ml 125 ml
⅔ cup 157.73 ml 189.42 ml 166.67 ml
¾ cup 177.44 ml 213.10 ml 187.5 ml
1 cup 236.59 ml 284.13 ml 250 ml
1½ cups 354.88 ml 426.20 ml 375 ml
2 cups 473.18 ml 568.26 ml 500 ml
4 cups 946.35 ml 1136.52 ml 1000 ml

Beyond the basic conversions, it’s helpful to remember some key equivalents. For instance, 4 cups in the metric system equals exactly 1 liter (1000 ml), making it easy to scale recipes up or down.

Common Milliliter to Cup Conversions

For those converting from metric recipes to cup measurements, here are useful milliliter to cup conversions:

Milliliters (ml) US Standard Cups UK Imperial Cups Metric Cups
50 ml 0.211 cups 0.176 cups 0.2 cups
100 ml 0.423 cups 0.352 cups 0.4 cups
125 ml 0.528 cups 0.440 cups 0.5 cups
150 ml 0.634 cups 0.528 cups 0.6 cups
200 ml 0.845 cups 0.704 cups 0.8 cups
250 ml 1.057 cups 0.880 cups 1 cup
500 ml 2.113 cups 1.760 cups 2 cups
750 ml 3.170 cups 2.640 cups 3 cups
1000 ml (1 liter) 4.227 cups 3.519 cups 4 cups

How to Measure Cups and Milliliters Correctly

Proper measuring technique is just as important as accurate conversion. Follow these guidelines for best results:

Measuring Dry Ingredients in Cups

  • Flour: Spoon into the measuring cup without packing, then level with a straight edge
  • Sugar: Granulated sugar should be spooned and leveled; brown sugar typically packed firmly
  • Cocoa, powdered sugar: Sift first, then spoon and level
  • Rice, oats, grains: Pour into cup and level off without shaking or packing

For precision baking, consider using a digital scale to measure dry ingredients by weight rather than volume.

Measuring Liquid Ingredients

  • Use a clear liquid measuring cup with a pour spout
  • Place on a level surface and bend down to check at eye level
  • Look at the bottom of the meniscus (the curved surface of the liquid) for the most accurate reading
  • For sticky liquids like honey or molasses, lightly coat the measuring cup with oil first for easier pouring

Most liquid measuring cups display multiple measurement systems (ml, cups, oz), making conversion easier.

Common Conversion Challenges and Solutions

Even with a reliable converter, you may encounter some challenges when working with recipes from different regions:

Recipe Origin Identification

Challenge: Not knowing which cup standard a recipe uses.

Solution: Look for clues like:

  • Recipe source country (American, British, Australian, etc.)
  • Publication date (older British recipes use imperial measures)
  • Other measurements in the recipe (if they use ounces or Fahrenheit, likely US standard)

When in doubt, the US standard cup is most commonly used in online recipes.

Fractional Cup Measurements

Challenge: Converting unusual fractions like ⅔ or ⅛ cups to milliliters.

Solution: Use our converter for precise values, or memorize these approximate conversions for US cups:

  • ⅛ cup ≈ 30 ml
  • ⅙ cup ≈ 40 ml
  • ⅔ cup ≈ 160 ml
  • ⅞ cup ≈ 207 ml

For practical cooking, rounding to the nearest 5 ml is usually sufficient.

Recipe Scaling

Challenge: Halving or doubling recipes with mixed measurements.

Solution: Convert all measurements to one system before scaling:

  • Convert all cup measurements to milliliters
  • Scale the recipe as needed
  • Convert back to preferred units if desired

This approach minimizes rounding errors that can accumulate when scaling mixed measurements.

Adapting International Recipes

Challenge: Following recipes that use different measurement standards.

Solution: Rather than converting each ingredient individually, consider:

  • Getting a set of measuring cups specific to that country’s standard
  • Converting the entire recipe to weight measurements (grams)
  • Using our calculator for each ingredient as you go

Consistency within a single recipe is more important than which standard you use.

Tips for International Cooking and Baking

When working with international recipes, keep these tips in mind for successful results:

American Recipes (US Standard Cups)

  • American recipes typically use volume measurements (cups, tablespoons) rather than weight
  • They often include both volume and weight for some ingredients
  • Watch for differences in ingredient names (all-purpose flour vs. plain flour)
  • Temperature measurements will be in Fahrenheit

Key conversion: 1 US Cup = 236.59 ml

British Recipes (UK Imperial Cups)

  • Modern British recipes typically use metric measurements (grams, milliliters)
  • Older British recipes may use imperial measures (pounds, ounces, imperial cups)
  • Watch for terms like “dessertspoon” (equivalent to 2 teaspoons)
  • Temperature measurements will be in Celsius (or “gas mark” for ovens)

Key conversion: 1 UK Cup = 284.13 ml

Australian/New Zealand Recipes (Metric Cups)

  • Australian recipes use the metric cup (250ml) and metric spoon measurements
  • They often include both volume and weight measurements
  • Ingredients may have different names (e.g., “caster sugar” instead of “granulated sugar”)
  • Temperature measurements will be in Celsius

Key conversion: 1 Metric Cup = 250 ml

European Recipes

  • European recipes typically use weight measurements (grams) rather than volume
  • They rarely use cups, instead giving weights for all ingredients
  • Liquid ingredients may be given in milliliters or grams
  • Temperature measurements will be in Celsius

Tip: When following European recipes, it’s best to use a kitchen scale rather than converting to cups.

FAQs About Cup to Milliliter Conversions

What is the difference between a US cup and a metric cup?

A US standard cup equals 236.59 milliliters (or 8 US fluid ounces), while a metric cup equals exactly 250 milliliters. This difference of 13.41 milliliters might seem small, but it can become significant when a recipe calls for multiple cups or when baking, where precision matters. The US cup is commonly used in American recipes, while the metric cup is standard in Australia, New Zealand, and many international recipes published after the adoption of the metric system. UK recipes, especially older ones, might use the imperial cup, which is even larger at 284.13 milliliters. When following a recipe, it’s best to use the cup standard from the recipe’s country of origin for the most accurate results.

Is 250ml equal to 1 cup?

250ml equals exactly 1 metric cup, which is the standard used in Australia, New Zealand, and many international recipes. However, 250ml is not equal to 1 US standard cup, which is 236.59ml, or 1 UK imperial cup, which is 284.13ml. This distinction is important when following recipes from different countries. If a recipe is from Australia or uses the metric system throughout, then yes, 250ml equals 1 cup. If the recipe is American, 250ml is slightly more than 1 cup (about 1.06 US cups). For everyday cooking where precise measurements aren’t critical, these differences might not significantly affect the outcome, but for baking and other precise cooking, the difference can be important.

How do I convert milliliters to cups without a calculator?

To convert milliliters to cups without a calculator, you can use these simple approximations:

  • For US cups: Divide the milliliter value by 240 (slightly rounded from 236.59 for mental math)
  • For metric cups: Divide the milliliter value by 250
  • For UK imperial cups: Divide the milliliter value by 285 (rounded from 284.13)

For example, to convert 500ml to US cups: 500 ÷ 240 ≈ 2.08 cups. For common conversions, you can memorize that 250ml is approximately 1 US cup, 500ml is about 2 US cups, and 1000ml (1 liter) is about 4.2 US cups. For recipes where precision is important, especially in baking, it’s better to use a proper conversion calculator or measuring tools to ensure accurate results.

Why do my international recipes sometimes fail even when I convert measurements?

International recipes might fail even with proper measurement conversion due to several factors beyond simple cup-to-milliliter conversions. Different countries use ingredients with varying properties: American all-purpose flour differs from British plain flour in protein content, affecting baking results. Eggs are sized differently across countries (a “large” egg in the US may not match a “large” egg elsewhere). Environmental factors like altitude, humidity, and room temperature can significantly impact recipes, especially baking. Additionally, different techniques and equipment (like oven types and baking pans) can affect outcomes. For the best results with international recipes, consider all of these factors, not just measurement conversions. Try to understand the recipe’s origin and adapt techniques accordingly, and be prepared to make adjustments over multiple attempts until you achieve the desired results.

Does the cup to milliliter conversion change for different ingredients?

The cup to milliliter conversion remains constant regardless of the ingredient because both cups and milliliters are volume measurements. One cup always equals the same volume in milliliters (e.g., 1 US cup = 236.59ml) whether you’re measuring water, milk, or oil. However, it’s important to understand that while the volume conversion is consistent, the weight of that volume will vary significantly depending on the ingredient. For example, 1 cup of water weighs about 236.59 grams, while 1 cup of all-purpose flour weighs only about 120-125 grams, and 1 cup of honey weighs around 340 grams. This is why many professional bakers prefer weight measurements (grams or ounces) over volume measurements, as they provide more consistency across different ingredients. The volume conversion itself, however, remains constant regardless of what you’re measuring.

Related Conversion Calculators

Explore these additional conversion calculators to help with your cooking and baking needs:

The Science Behind Accurate Culinary Measurements

Measurement precision in cooking and baking has been the subject of considerable research and development in culinary science:

  • A study published in the Journal of Culinary Science & Technology found that measurement variations of as little as 5-10% in key ingredients like flour can significantly affect the texture and rise of baked goods.
  • Research from Food Quality and Preference demonstrated that recipes using weight measurements (grams) instead of volume measurements (cups) produced more consistent results across different home cooks.
  • The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established precise definitions for metric units to ensure global consistency, making metric measurements particularly reliable for international recipes.
  • Culinary schools increasingly emphasize the importance of understanding measurement conversions as global cuisine becomes more accessible to home cooks.
  • Modern digital kitchen scales capable of measuring in both grams and ounces have revolutionized home cooking by making precision measurement more accessible.

This research underscores the importance of accurate conversions between different measurement systems and supports the trend toward more precise measurement in home cooking.

The History of Cup Measurements

The variety of cup standards around the world has interesting historical origins:

Early Standardization Attempts

Before the 19th century, cooking measurements were highly imprecise, often using terms like “teacupful” or “coffee-cupful” which varied widely. Fannie Farmer, director of the Boston Cooking School, is often credited with pioneering standardized measurements in American cooking with her 1896 cookbook, which helped establish the modern US cup measurement.

Imperial System Development

The British imperial system, established in 1824, defined an imperial cup as 10 imperial fluid ounces or about 284.13 milliliters. This measurement was used throughout the British Empire, influencing cooking measurements in numerous countries.

Metric System Adoption

The metric system, developed in France during the 1790s, gradually spread worldwide. Australia and New Zealand, after adopting the metric system in the 1970s, standardized their cup measurement to exactly 250 milliliters, creating what is now known as the metric cup.

Modern Standardization

Today, while professional culinary circles increasingly favor weight-based measurements for precision, cup measurements remain popular in home cooking due to their simplicity. The persistence of different cup standards reflects the strong cultural ties to traditional measurement systems in different regions.

Understanding this historical context helps explain why we have different measurement standards today and highlights the importance of accurate conversion tools when working with international recipes.

Measurement Disclaimer

The Cups to Milliliters Converter and accompanying information are provided for educational and reference purposes only. While we strive for accuracy in all conversions, cooking involves many variables beyond precise measurement, including ingredient quality, cooking technique, and environmental factors.

The standard conversions used in this calculator are:

  • 1 US Standard Cup = 236.59 milliliters
  • 1 UK Imperial Cup = 284.13 milliliters
  • 1 Metric Cup = 250 milliliters

For recipes where precision is critical, we recommend using a kitchen scale for weight measurements and following the measurement system used in the original recipe whenever possible.

Last Updated: March 21, 2025 | Next Review: March 21, 2026