Symbol: cup (cup), mL (milliliter)
Cups and milliliters are units of volume measurement, with cups being part of the US customary system and milliliters being part of the metric system (SI).
Formula: 1 US cup = 236.588 milliliters
Common Conversions:
- 1/4 cup = 59.15 mL
- 1/2 cup = 118.29 mL
- 1 cup = 236.59 mL
- 2 cups = 473.18 mL
- 100 mL = 0.423 cups
Cup (US) to Milliliter Converter
Quick Answer
1 cup = 236.588 mL
Formula: Milliliter = Cup (US) x 236.588
Quick values
What are Volume Measurements?
Volume measurements quantify the amount of space that a substance or object occupies. Cups and milliliters are two common units used for measuring volume, particularly in cooking and food preparation.
The relationship between cups and milliliters depends on the cup standard being used. In the United States, 1 cup equals exactly 236.588 milliliters, while in other countries, a metric cup equals 250 milliliters.
Learn more from NIST or Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM).
Common Cups to Milliliters Conversions
| Cups | Milliliters (mL) | Common Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8 cup | 29.57 mL | Standard shot glass |
| 1/4 cup | 59.15 mL | Small yogurt container |
| 1/3 cup | 78.86 mL | Standard medicine cup |
| 1/2 cup | 118.29 mL | Small coffee cup |
| 2/3 cup | 157.73 mL | Small juice glass |
| 3/4 cup | 177.44 mL | Standard wine glass |
| 1 cup | 236.59 mL | Standard coffee mug |
| 2 cups (1 pint) | 473.18 mL | Standard water bottle |
Practical Use Cases
- Cooking and Baking: Converting between measuring systems when using international recipes (US recipes use cups, while European recipes typically use milliliters)
- Nutrition Tracking: Converting serving sizes between different measurement systems for accurate calorie and nutrient tracking
- Medication Administration: Converting between household measurements (cups) and medical measurements (milliliters) for proper dosing
- Beverage Preparation: Converting between different volume measurements for cocktails, coffees, and other drinks
- Food Manufacturing: Scaling recipes from household measurements to industrial quantities
- Scientific Experiments: Converting between everyday measurements and laboratory volumes for home science projects
Educational Resource
This educational video explains how to convert between cups and milliliters with practical examples and applications in cooking and everyday life.
Conversion Tools
Download Conversion Chart (PDF)Get our comprehensive cups to milliliters conversion chart for quick reference when you're cooking or working on recipes.
Cups to Milliliters Conversion FAQs
Find answers to common questions about converting between cups and milliliters.
How do you convert cups to milliliters?
To convert cups to milliliters, multiply the cup value by 236.588. For example: 1) 1 cup = 236.588 mL, 2) 2 cups = 473.176 mL, 3) 1/2 cup = 118.294 mL, 4) 1/4 cup = 59.147 mL. Our calculator handles this automatically. Note: This is for US cups; metric cups are 250 mL.
What is 1 cup equal to in milliliters?
1 US cup equals exactly 236.588 milliliters. Common conversions include: 1) 1/4 cup = 59.15 mL, 2) 1/3 cup = 78.86 mL, 3) 1/2 cup = 118.29 mL, 4) 2/3 cup = 157.73 mL, 5) 3/4 cup = 177.44 mL, 6) 1 cup = 236.59 mL. Note: A metric cup is 250 mL.
What are common cup to milliliter conversions?
Common cup to milliliter conversions include: 1) 1/4 cup = 59.15 mL, 2) 1/3 cup = 78.86 mL, 3) 1/2 cup = 118.29 mL, 4) 2/3 cup = 157.73 mL, 5) 3/4 cup = 177.44 mL, 6) 1 cup = 236.59 mL, 7) 2 cups = 473.18 mL.
What's the difference between US and metric cups?
Cup measurements vary by region: 1) US cup = 236.588 mL, 2) Metric/International cup = 250 mL, 3) Imperial cup = 284.131 mL, 4) Canadian cup = 227.3045 mL, 5) Japanese cup = 200 mL. The US cup is most commonly used in American recipes.
What's the easiest way to estimate cups to milliliters?
For quick estimates of US cups to milliliters: 1) Multiply cups by 240 (slightly more than 236.588), 2) 1 cup ≈ 240 mL, 3) 1/2 cup ≈ 120 mL, 4) 1/4 cup ≈ 60 mL, 5) For metric cups, simply multiply by 250, as 1 metric cup = 250 mL exactly.
How are cups and milliliters used in cooking?
Cups and milliliters in cooking: 1) US recipes typically use cups, 2) International recipes use milliliters, 3) Professional kitchens prefer milliliters for precision, 4) Liquid measuring cups often show both units, 5) Digital scales can measure both, 6) Converting between them is essential for international recipes.