Cup to Milliliters Converter
Convert cups to milliliters for recipes, baking and meal prep. US cup = 240 mL, UK cup = 284 mL, metric cup = 250 mL, all three standards covered.
Last updated: May 2026
Enter a value to see the conversion instantly.
How to convert cups to milliliters
Enter a volume value in cups in the "From" field to instantly see the equivalent in milliliters. The conversion uses the formula: milliliters = cups × 236.588. You can use the preset buttons (1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 1, 2, 4 cups) to quickly test common recipe measurements, or swap the units to convert milliliters back to cups.
Cooking volume reference: cups and millilitres
| Cups | Milliliters | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 cup | 59.15 mL | Small ingredient amount (baking) |
| 1/3 cup | 78.86 mL | Standard small recipe portion |
| 1/2 cup | 118.29 mL | Half-cup butter or flour measure |
| 1 cup | 236.59 mL | Standard recipe measurement |
| 2 cups | 473.18 mL | Pint-equivalent measure |
| 4 cups | 946.35 mL | One quart (large batch) |
Cup sizes by country: why the same recipe gives different results
A "cup" is not a universal standard. The US customary cup (236.6 mL) is the most common in online recipes, but Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and Japanese cups are different. If a recipe from outside the US instructs you to use cups, using a US measuring cup may give a noticeably different result.
| Cup standard | Volume (mL) | 1/4 cup (mL) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US customary cup | 236.6 mL | 59.1 mL | Most US recipe sites; this converter's default |
| US legal cup (FDA) | 240 mL | 60 mL | Used on US nutrition labels |
| Metric cup (AU/CA/NZ) | 250 mL | 62.5 mL | Australian, Canadian and NZ cookbooks |
| UK imperial cup | 284 mL | 71 mL | Older UK recipes; rarely used today |
| Japanese cup (go) | 200 mL | 50 mL | Japanese measuring cups; rice and dashi |
For flour-heavy baking, a 14 mL difference between a US cup and a metric cup (about 1 tablespoon) can shift hydration enough to change dough texture. If you use an Australian recipe, either use a 250 mL cup or multiply the US cup amount by 1.056.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many milliliters are in 1 cup?
One US cup equals 236.588 milliliters. This is a fixed conversion used in cooking and baking worldwide. The metric conversion is useful for recipe scaling and international cooking.
Why do recipes still use cups?
Many popular English-language recipe sources still use cups because the measurement system is traditional in North America. Metric conversion makes recipes more universal but doesn't change the fact that many printed cookbooks and websites use cups.
Does precision matter in baking?
Especially in baking, yes. Baking is chemistry. A quarter-cup difference in flour or liquid affects dough hydration, rise, and texture. Using this converter ensures your substitutions are accurate.
Are all cups identical?
Not always. This converter uses the standard US cup (236.588 mL). Some recipes may use metric cups (250 mL) or imperial cups (284 mL). If your recipe source specifies a different cup size, check the conversion first.
What's a practical tip for converting without this tool?
Remember that 1 cup ≈ 240 mL for quick estimation. For example, 2 cups ≈ 480 mL, and 0.5 cup ≈ 120 mL. For exact baking, use this converter to avoid rounding errors.