Quick Answer
2 cup is exactly 473.176 mL
How to Calculate
- Start with the value: 2 cups (us)
- Apply the formula: mL = cup × 236.588
- Calculate: 2 → 473.176
- Result: 2 cup = 473.176 mL
To convert US cups to milliliters, multiply the cup value by 236.588. One US cup equals approximately 237 mL.
The conversion factor 236.588 mL comes from the definition of a US cup as exactly 8 US fluid ounces, which equals 236.5882365 milliliters.
Reference Table
| Cups (US) (cup) | Milliliters (mL) |
|---|---|
| 0.25 | 59.147 |
| 0.5 | 118.294 |
| 1 | 236.588 |
| 2 | 473.176 |
| 3 | 709.764 |
| 4 | 946.352 |
| 5 | 1182.94 |
| 6 | 1419.528 |
| 8 | 1892.704 |
| 10 | 2365.88 |
| 12 | 2839.056 |
| 16 | 3785.408 |
About These Units
What is a cups?
A US cup (customary cup) is a unit of volume used in cooking equal to 8 US fluid ounces, ½ US pint, or approximately 237 milliliters. It is the standard measurement in American recipes.
What is a milliliters?
A milliliter (mL) is a metric unit of volume equal to 1/1000 of a liter or 1 cubic centimeter. It is used worldwide for precise liquid measurements in cooking, medicine, and science.
Why This Conversion Matters
Converting cups to milliliters is essential for following American recipes with metric measuring equipment, scaling recipes accurately, and maintaining consistency in baking.
Milliliters provide more precision than cups, making them preferred for baking where small variations can affect results. Professional kitchens often use grams and mL exclusively.
Common Use Cases
Recipe Conversion
Convert American recipes using cups to metric measurements for international cooking.
Nutritional Tracking
Convert serving sizes between cups and mL for accurate calorie and nutrient counting.
Science Experiments
Convert kitchen measurements to precise mL volumes for school science projects.
Pro Tips
💡 Use 240 mL for simplicity
While 236.588 is exact, most recipes work fine with 240 mL per cup—easier for mental math.
💡 Remember common fractions
¼ cup = 60 mL, ⅓ cup = 80 mL, ½ cup = 120 mL, ¾ cup = 180 mL.
💡 Check the recipe origin
Australian recipes use 250 mL cups (metric), US recipes use ~237 mL cups. A 5% difference can matter in baking!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using metric cups for US recipes
A metric cup (250 mL) is 5.5% larger than a US cup (237 mL). In baking, this can affect results.
✅ Correct: For US recipes, use 237 mL (or 240 mL) per cup. For metric recipes, use 250 mL.
❌ Measuring flour by cups without sifting
Packed flour weighs more than sifted flour. A "cup" of flour can vary by 20% depending on how it's measured.
✅ Correct: For accuracy, weigh flour (1 cup ≈ 120-130g) or use the "spoon and level" method.
When You Need This Conversion
International recipes
Recipes from different countries use varying measurement systems. Converting ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
Scaling recipes
When doubling or halving recipes, converting between teaspoons, tablespoons, and cups helps maintain accuracy.
Dietary tracking
Nutrition labels use grams while recipes may call for ounces or cups. Converting helps track macronutrient intake.
Historical Background
The cup as a cooking measure developed in the late 19th century in America. Fannie Farmer's 1896 Boston Cooking-School Cook Book popularized standardized cup measurements.
Cups are primarily used in the United States, Australia (metric cups), and some Commonwealth countries. Most of Europe, Asia, and South America use grams and milliliters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many milliliters is 2 cups (us)?
2 cups (us) equals 473.176 milliliters. This is calculated using the formula: mL = cup × 236.588.
What is the formula for converting cups (us) to milliliters?
To convert US cups to milliliters, multiply the cup value by 236.588. One US cup equals approximately 237 mL.
Is 2 cups (us) exactly 473.176 milliliters?
2 cups (us) is approximately 473.176 milliliters. The precise value may have additional decimal places.
What is half a cup in mL?
Half a cup equals approximately 118 mL.
Popular Cups (US) to Milliliters Conversions
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Last verified: March 2026. All conversion factors are based on internationally defined standards.