Milliliters to Ounces Converter
Accurately convert between milliliters (ml) and fluid ounces (oz) with this easy-to-use calculator.
Convert Milliliters to Ounces
Enter a value below to convert between milliliters (ml) and fluid ounces (oz). For most accurate results, use decimal points rather than fractions.
Conversion Information
Understanding the relationship between milliliters and fluid ounces:
Conversion Factors:
- 1 US fluid ounce = 29.5735 milliliters
- 1 UK fluid ounce = 28.4131 milliliters
- 1 milliliter = 0.033814 US fluid ounces
- 1 milliliter = 0.035195 UK fluid ounces
This calculator uses the US fluid ounce by default, which is the standard in the United States and many other countries.
Note: This converter is for fluid volume only. Weight conversions (such as for dry ounces) would require different calculations.
Milliliters to Ounces Conversion Result
The US fluid ounce is a unit of volume equal to 1/16 of a US pint or approximately 29.57 milliliters.
Common Milliliter to Ounce Conversions
| Milliliters (ml) | US Fluid Ounces (oz) | Common Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 5 ml | 0.17 oz | 1 teaspoon |
| 15 ml | 0.51 oz | 1 tablespoon |
| 30 ml | 1.01 oz | 1 shot/jigger |
| 60 ml | 2.03 oz | 1/4 cup |
| 100 ml | 3.38 oz | Small yogurt cup |
| 240 ml | 8.12 oz | 1 cup |
| 355 ml | 12.00 oz | Standard soda can |
| 500 ml | 16.91 oz | Standard water bottle |
| 750 ml | 25.36 oz | Wine bottle |
| 1000 ml (1 liter) | 33.81 oz | 1 quart (approx.) |
What are Milliliters and Fluid Ounces?
Milliliters (ml) and fluid ounces (fl oz) are both units of volume measurement used for liquids, but they belong to different measurement systems:
Milliliter (ml)
- Part of the metric system used worldwide
- Equal to one-thousandth of a liter (0.001 L)
- A cubic centimeter (1 cm³) has the same volume as 1 milliliter
- The standard unit for measuring medicine and in scientific contexts
- Used in most countries for cooking, beverages, and all liquid measurements
Fluid Ounce (fl oz)
- Part of the US customary and British imperial systems
- In the US system: 1 fluid ounce ≈ 29.5735 milliliters
- In the UK/imperial system: 1 fluid ounce ≈ 28.4131 milliliters
- US: 16 fluid ounces = 1 pint, 128 fluid ounces = 1 gallon
- UK: 20 fluid ounces = 1 pint, 160 fluid ounces = 1 gallon
- Commonly used in the US for beverages, cooking recipes, and household products
It's important to note that a fluid ounce (volume) is different from an ounce (weight/mass). This calculator specifically deals with fluid ounces as a volume measurement.
When to Use Milliliters vs. Fluid Ounces
Knowing when to use each measurement unit can help avoid confusion and errors:
When to Use Milliliters (ml)
- Medicine and healthcare: Medications, injections, and medical fluids are almost always measured in milliliters for precision and global standardization
- Scientific research: The metric system is the standard in scientific contexts worldwide
- Cooking in most countries: Outside the US, recipes typically list ingredients in milliliters
- Beverage packaging: In most countries, beverages are labeled in milliliters or liters
- International travel: Using milliliters helps avoid confusion when traveling
- Technical specifications: Product manuals and technical documents typically use metric units
When to Use Fluid Ounces (fl oz)
- US recipes and cookbooks: American cooking measurements typically use fluid ounces
- Beverages in the US: Drinks are commonly served and sold in fluid ounces (8 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz)
- Nutritional labeling in the US: Serving sizes on US food products are often listed in fluid ounces
- Bar and cocktail measurements: Especially in the US, drinks are measured in fluid ounces
- US household products: Many cleaning products and toiletries are measured in fluid ounces
Converting between these units is essential when following international recipes, traveling abroad, or interpreting product information from different countries.
Tips for Accurate Conversions
Converting between milliliters and fluid ounces can be made simpler with these practical tips:
Quick Mental Conversions
- Approximate ml to oz: Divide milliliters by 30 for a quick estimate (100 ml ÷ 30 ≈ 3.3 oz)
- Approximate oz to ml: Multiply fluid ounces by 30 for a quick estimate (4 oz × 30 = 120 ml)
- Common conversion: 1 cup (8 oz) is approximately 240 ml
- Small amounts: 1 tablespoon is about 15 ml or 0.5 oz
For Precise Calculations
- US fluid ounces: Multiply milliliters by 0.033814 to get US fluid ounces
- UK fluid ounces: Multiply milliliters by 0.035195 to get UK fluid ounces
- Milliliters from US oz: Multiply US fluid ounces by 29.5735 to get milliliters
- Milliliters from UK oz: Multiply UK fluid ounces by 28.4131 to get milliliters
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing fluid ounces (volume) with regular ounces (weight)
- Not specifying whether you're using US or UK fluid ounces when precision matters
- Using rounded numbers when precision is important (especially for medications)
- Forgetting that 1 ml = 1 cc (cubic centimeter) when reading medical instructions
For cooking, slight approximations are usually acceptable, but for medical dosing, always use precise measurements and the specific units prescribed.
Practical Examples of Milliliters and Fluid Ounces
Understanding common real-world examples can help visualize these measurements:
Everyday Milliliter Examples
- 5 ml: One teaspoon of liquid
- 15 ml: One tablespoon of liquid
- 30 ml: Standard medicine cup, small liquor shot
- 100 ml: Small yogurt container
- 200 ml: Average drinking glass
- 250 ml: Standard coffee mug
- 330 ml: Standard soda can (Europe)
- 500 ml: Typical water bottle
- 750 ml: Standard wine bottle
- 1000 ml (1 liter): Carton of milk or juice
Everyday Fluid Ounce Examples
- 1 fl oz: Standard shot of spirits in the US
- 6 fl oz: Typical teacup
- 8 fl oz: Standard US cup, small coffee
- 12 fl oz: Standard US soda can or bottle
- 16 fl oz: US pint, large coffee
- 20 fl oz: Typical bottle of soda
- 25.4 fl oz: Standard wine bottle (750 ml)
- 32 fl oz: US quart, large fountain drink
- 64 fl oz: Half-gallon of milk
- 128 fl oz: US gallon of milk or water
Common Cooking Conversions
- 15 ml (0.5 fl oz): 1 tablespoon
- 60 ml (2 fl oz): 1/4 cup
- 120 ml (4 fl oz): 1/2 cup
- 240 ml (8 fl oz): 1 cup
- 480 ml (16 fl oz): 1 pint
- 960 ml (32 fl oz): 1 quart
International Differences in Fluid Measurements
Fluid measurements can vary across different countries and regions, which is important to understand when cooking, traveling, or working with international products:
US vs. UK Fluid Ounces
- US fluid ounce: 29.5735 milliliters
- UK (Imperial) fluid ounce: 28.4131 milliliters
- This ~4% difference can be significant in precise measurements
- A US pint (16 fl oz) = 473.18 ml, while a UK pint (20 fl oz) = 568.26 ml
Regional Measurement Preferences
- North America: Predominantly uses US fluid ounces
- United Kingdom: Uses both imperial fluid ounces and metric measures
- Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia: Primarily use the metric system (milliliters/liters)
- Scientific and medical contexts: Almost universally use the metric system
Cup Measurements Worldwide
- US: 1 cup = 8 fl oz = 236.59 ml
- UK: 1 cup = 10 fl oz = 284.13 ml
- Australia: 1 cup = 250 ml
- Japan: 1 cup = 200 ml
- Canada: Officially metric, but often follows US measurements in practice
Tips for International Cooking and Travel
- Always check the country of origin for recipes to understand which measurement system is being used
- When precision matters, convert based on the specific country's standards
- Look for context clues: if other measurements are in metric, assume ml rather than fl oz
- For beverages in different countries, be aware that standard serving sizes vary significantly
- Digital kitchen scales that measure both weight and volume in different units are valuable for international cooking
Milliliters to Ounces Converter: Quick, Easy Volume Conversion
Converting between milliliters (ml) and fluid ounces (fl oz) becomes effortless with our comprehensive calculator above. Whether you're following an international recipe, measuring beverages, or dosing medicine accurately, our converter delivers instant, precise conversions between these essential volume units.
Why You Need to Convert Between Milliliters and Ounces
In our interconnected world, moving between metric and imperial measurement systems is a common necessity. Understanding how milliliters and fluid ounces relate to each other has practical applications in many everyday situations:
Common Reasons to Convert Between ml and oz
- International cooking: Converting between US recipes (using fluid ounces) and recipes from the rest of the world (using milliliters)
- Medication accuracy: Ensuring precise dosing when instructions use different units
- Beverage measurements: Understanding serving sizes on international products
- Coffee and cocktail making: Following recipes from various countries
- Shopping for imported products: Understanding package sizes labeled in unfamiliar units
- Travel preparation: Understanding liquid allowances for air travel (usually stated in ml)
- Science experiments: Converting between lab measurements and household units
The relationship between these units is fixed mathematically, but the slight differences between US and UK fluid ounces add a layer of complexity that our calculator handles automatically.
Understanding the Conversion Formula
Converting between milliliters and fluid ounces relies on specific mathematical relationships:
Milliliters to US Fluid Ounces
To convert ml to US fl oz, divide the milliliter volume by 29.5735:
Example: 100 ml ÷ 29.5735 = 3.38 US fl oz
US Fluid Ounces to Milliliters
To convert US fl oz to ml, multiply the fluid ounce volume by 29.5735:
Example: 4 US fl oz × 29.5735 = 118.29 ml
Milliliters to UK Fluid Ounces
To convert ml to UK/Imperial fl oz, divide the milliliter volume by 28.4131:
Example: 100 ml ÷ 28.4131 = 3.52 UK fl oz
UK Fluid Ounces to Milliliters
To convert UK fl oz to ml, multiply the fluid ounce volume by 28.4131:
Example: 4 UK fl oz × 28.4131 = 113.65 ml
These conversion formulas ensure precise calculations, but our calculator eliminates the need for manual computation, handling all mathematical operations instantly.
Common Volume Equivalents: ml and oz in Everyday Life
Visualizing volume measurements helps make conversions more intuitive. Here are some common equivalents you might encounter in daily life:
Kitchen and Cooking Equivalents
- 1 teaspoon = 5 ml = 0.17 fl oz (US)
- 1 tablespoon = 15 ml = 0.51 fl oz (US)
- 1/4 cup = 60 ml = 2.03 fl oz (US)
- 1/3 cup = 80 ml = 2.71 fl oz (US)
- 1/2 cup = 120 ml = 4.06 fl oz (US)
- 2/3 cup = 160 ml = 5.41 fl oz (US)
- 3/4 cup = 180 ml = 6.09 fl oz (US)
- 1 cup = 240 ml = 8.12 fl oz (US)
- 2 cups (1 pint) = 480 ml = 16.23 fl oz (US)
- 4 cups (1 quart) = 960 ml = 32.47 fl oz (US)
- 4 quarts (1 gallon) = 3,840 ml = 129.88 fl oz (US)
Beverage Container Equivalents
- Standard wine glass = 150 ml = 5.07 fl oz (US)
- Coffee mug = 240-350 ml = 8.12-11.83 fl oz (US)
- US soda can = 355 ml = 12 fl oz (US)
- European soda can = 330 ml = 11.16 fl oz (US)
- Small water bottle = 500 ml = 16.91 fl oz (US)
- Standard wine bottle = 750 ml = 25.36 fl oz (US)
- Liter bottle = 1000 ml = 33.81 fl oz (US)
- US quart bottle = 946 ml = 32 fl oz (US)
- Half-gallon container = 1,893 ml = 64 fl oz (US)
- Gallon container = 3,785 ml = 128 fl oz (US)
Medical and Healthcare Equivalents
- Standard medicine dropper = 1 ml = 0.03 fl oz (US)
- Oral syringe (small) = 5 ml = 0.17 fl oz (US)
- Medicine cup (small) = 30 ml = 1.01 fl oz (US)
- Standard IV bag (small) = 250 ml = 8.45 fl oz (US)
- Standard IV bag (medium) = 500 ml = 16.91 fl oz (US)
- Standard IV bag (large) = 1000 ml = 33.81 fl oz (US)
- Blood donation = 470 ml = 15.89 fl oz (US)
These reference points can help you develop an intuitive sense of the relationship between milliliters and fluid ounces without always needing to perform calculations.
International Differences in Fluid Measurements
One of the key complexities when converting between ml and oz arises from the differences between the US and imperial (UK) measurement systems. These differences can impact conversions and are particularly important to understand when precision matters:
US vs. UK Fluid Ounce Comparison
| Measurement | US System | Imperial (UK) System | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Fluid Ounce | 29.5735 ml | 28.4131 ml | ≈ 4% difference |
| 1 Cup | 8 fl oz = 236.59 ml | 10 fl oz = 284.13 ml | ≈ 20% difference |
| 1 Pint | 16 fl oz = 473.18 ml | 20 fl oz = 568.26 ml | ≈ 20% difference |
| 1 Quart | 32 fl oz = 946.35 ml | 40 fl oz = 1136.52 ml | ≈ 20% difference |
| 1 Gallon | 128 fl oz = 3785.41 ml | 160 fl oz = 4546.09 ml | ≈ 20% difference |
Global Volume Measurement Systems
Different regions use different primary measurement systems, which can affect how volumes are communicated:
- Metric system (ml, L): Used in most countries worldwide, including all of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and much of Latin America
- US customary system (fl oz, cups, pints, quarts, gallons): Primarily used in the United States
- Imperial system (UK fl oz, UK pints, etc.): Historically used in Commonwealth countries, though many have officially switched to metric
- Mixed usage: Countries like Canada and the UK officially use metric but still commonly use some imperial measurements in practice
Our calculator accounts for these differences by allowing you to specify whether you're working with US or UK fluid ounces, ensuring accurate conversions regardless of which system you're using.
Practical Tips for Working with ml and oz Conversions
Beyond the mathematical conversion, these practical tips can help you work effectively with milliliter and fluid ounce measurements:
For Cooking and Recipes
- Check the recipe's country of origin to determine which measurement system is likely being used
- For US recipes, assume fluid ounces; for international recipes, assume milliliters
- When precision isn't critical (as in many cooking scenarios), approximate conversions are usually sufficient
- Consider investing in measuring tools for both systems if you frequently use international recipes
- Look for context clues: if other ingredients are in cups and tablespoons, assume US fluid ounces
For Medical and Scientific Use
- Always use precise conversions for medication dosing—never estimate
- In scientific or healthcare contexts, milliliters are the standard and generally preferred
- Remember that 1 ml is exactly equal to 1 cc (cubic centimeter)
- Use calibrated tools like syringes, pipettes, or medicine cups for accurate measurement
- Double-check all conversions when precision is essential
Quick Mental Conversion Tricks
- For a quick ml to oz estimate, divide by 30 (e.g., 300 ml ÷ 30 ≈ 10 oz)
- For a quick oz to ml estimate, multiply by 30 (e.g., 8 oz × 30 = 240 ml)
- Remember that 1 fluid ounce is approximately 30 ml (more precisely 29.57 ml for US)
- 1 cup (8 oz) is approximately 240 ml
- 1 liter is approximately 34 US fluid ounces (a bit more than a quart)
These practical strategies can help you navigate conversions with confidence, whether you're cooking, traveling, or working in fields that require precise measurements.
Common Questions About Milliliters and Fluid Ounces
What's the difference between a fluid ounce and a weight ounce?
Fluid ounces (fl oz) measure volume (the amount of space a substance occupies), while weight ounces (oz) measure mass (the amount of matter in an object). This distinction is crucial because the same volume of different substances will have different weights. For example, 1 fluid ounce of water weighs approximately 1 ounce (by weight), but 1 fluid ounce of honey weighs about 1.5 ounces because honey is denser than water. Milliliters, like fluid ounces, are strictly a volume measurement. When converting between ml and oz, always ensure you're working with fluid ounces (fl oz) rather than weight ounces.
Why do US and UK fluid ounces have different values?
The difference between US and UK fluid ounces stems from their historical development as separate measurement systems. The imperial (UK) system was standardized in 1824, while the US customary system evolved independently. Both systems originally derived from English units, but they diverged over time. The US fluid ounce was defined based on the wine gallon (231 cubic inches), while the imperial fluid ounce was based on the slightly larger imperial gallon (277.42 cubic inches). This historical difference resulted in the UK fluid ounce being approximately 4% smaller than the US fluid ounce. While this difference may seem minor, it accumulates in larger measurements and can significantly impact recipes and precise measurements.
Are cup measurements the same worldwide?
No, cup measurements vary significantly around the world, which can create confusion when converting recipes. In the US, a standard cup equals 8 US fluid ounces (236.59 ml). In contrast, the UK cup is 10 imperial fluid ounces (284.13 ml), about 20% larger. Australia and New Zealand standardized their cup to exactly 250 ml, while a Japanese cup (used in rice cookers) is 200 ml. Canada technically uses a 227.3 ml cup but often follows US recipes. These differences make it important to identify which country's measurement system a recipe is using. For most precise results, especially in baking, converting everything to milliliters or grams can avoid these inconsistencies.
How accurate do I need to be when converting between ml and oz?
The necessary level of accuracy depends entirely on the context. For medication dosing, scientific experiments, or certain baking recipes, high precision is crucial—you should use exact conversions with appropriate decimal places. In these cases, digital measurement tools are recommended. For everyday cooking, approximate conversions are usually sufficient, as small variations typically won't affect the outcome significantly. General kitchen conversions like knowing that 30 ml is roughly 1 fluid ounce or 240 ml is about 8 fluid ounces (1 cup) are adequate for most recipes. The more critical the precision (as with medication), the more important it becomes to use accurate conversion factors and proper measuring tools.
Why don't the US and UK just standardize to the metric system like most countries?
The persistence of customary and imperial measurements alongside the metric system is largely due to historical, cultural, and practical factors. The United Kingdom has officially adopted the metric system, but imperial measurements remain common in everyday contexts due to cultural familiarity. The US has resisted complete metrication despite several initiatives, including the Metric Conversion Act of 1975. Reasons for resistance include the substantial cost of converting infrastructure, education systems, and manufacturing processes; cultural attachment to familiar units; and the practical challenges of retraining an entire population. Additionally, many industries have standardized around customary measurements, making conversion complex and expensive. Despite this, scientific, medical, and many international business contexts in both countries do use the metric system, creating the need for conversion tools like our calculator.
Conversion Accuracy Disclaimer
The Milliliters to Ounces Converter and accompanying information are provided for educational and convenience purposes only. While we strive for mathematical accuracy in our conversion calculations, users should verify critical conversions, particularly for medical, scientific, or other precise applications.
The calculator uses standard conversion factors (1 US fluid ounce = 29.5735 milliliters and 1 UK fluid ounce = 28.4131 milliliters), which are widely accepted values. However, slight variations may exist in different reference sources or specialized fields.
For medical dosing, always use the measuring device provided with the medication and follow healthcare provider instructions. For scientific work, use calibrated laboratory equipment for precise measurements.
Last Updated: March 15, 2025 | Next Review: March 15, 2026
Dr. Evelyn Carter
Author | Chief Calculations Architect & Multi-Disciplinary Analyst
- Last updated