Quick Answer: Cups (US) to Milliliters
One cups (US) equals 236.588236 milliliters (1 cup = 236.588236 mL).
Conversely, 1 mL = 0.00422675284 cup.
Formula: mL = cup × 236.5882365
Worked examples
- 0.25 cup = 59.1470591 mL
- 0.33 cup = 78.074118 mL
- 0.5 cup = 118.294118 mL
Method and limitations
To convert US cups to milliliters, multiply the cup value by 236.5882365. One US cup equals approximately 237 mL. Calculations use full-precision constants; displayed values are rounded to at most 9 significant figures. Results are rounded for display only. Full precision is kept internally, so long chains of conversions do not accumulate rounding error. Where US customary and imperial units share a name (for example fluid ounces and gallons), this page uses the US customary definition and says so explicitly.
Each factor is exact by definition, derived from exact definitions, or a documented conventional value — see the methodology and sources.
Conversion Formula
To convert US cups to milliliters, multiply the cup value by 236.5882365. One US cup equals approximately 237 mL.
Complete Guide to Cups (US) to Milliliters Conversion
What is a Cups (US)?
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.
How the Conversion Works
The conversion factor 236.5882365 mL comes from the definition of a US cup as exactly 8 US fluid ounces, which equals 236.5882365 milliliters.
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.
Scientific Context
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.
Step-by-Step Conversion Guide
Follow these steps to convert cups (us) to milliliters manually:
Start with your value in cups (us)
Example: You want to convert 0.5 cup
Apply the conversion formula
Use the formula: mL = cup × 236.5882365
Calculate the result
0.5 cup = 118.2941 mL
Verify your answer
Use our calculator above to double-check your manual calculation.
Quick Mental Math Tip
To convert US cups to milliliters, multiply the cup value by 236.5882365. One US cup equals approximately 237 mL.
Common Conversions
| Cups (US) (cup) | Milliliters (mL) | Milliliters → Cups (US) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 cup | 59.1471 | 0.25 mL = 0.00105669 cup |
| 0.33 cup | 78.0741 | 0.33 mL = 0.00139483 cup |
| 0.5 cup | 118.294 | 0.5 mL = 0.00211338 cup |
| 0.75 cup | 177.441 | 0.75 mL = 0.00317006 cup |
| 1 cup | 236.588 | 1 mL = 0.00422675 cup |
| 1.5 cup | 354.882 | 1.5 mL = 0.00634013 cup |
| 2 cup | 473.176 | 2 mL = 0.00845351 cup |
| 3 cup | 709.765 | 3 mL = 0.0126803 cup |
| 4 cup | 946.353 | 4 mL = 0.016907 cup |
| 8 cup | 1,892.71 | 8 mL = 0.033814 cup |
Did You Know?
Professional chefs worldwide rely on precise unit conversions. A recipe that works in cups may fail if measured in tablespoons due to rounding errors.
This converter is used by thousands of people daily for recipe scaling. Bookmark it for instant access.
Popular Cups (US) to Milliliters Conversions
Tap any value to load it into the calculator above.
When You'll Need This Conversion
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 for Accurate Conversions
Use 240 mL for simplicity
While 236.5882365 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.
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.
For accuracy, weigh flour (1 cup ≈ 120-130g) or use the "spoon and level" method.
History & 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.
Global Usage Today
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
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Conversion factors on this page are either exact by definition, derived from exact definitions, or conventional values in documented use. Each is listed with its source in our conversion methodology and sources, which cites the BIPM SI Brochure, NIST Special Publication 811 and the relevant IEC or national standards. Results are rounded for display only; calculations use full precision.