Unit Converter
Convert From Cups to Millilitres and Vice Versa
Cups ↔ Millilitres
Type in either cups or millilitres — it’ll convert to the other automatically!
🥣 What is a Cup (US)?
A cup is a unit of volume commonly used in cooking and baking, especially in the United States. In U.S. measurement, 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = 236.588 millilitres. It simplifies ingredient measurement, especially for dry and liquid items.
💧 What is a Millilitre (mL)?
A millilitre is a metric unit of volume used worldwide for precise liquid measurements. 1 millilitre = 0.001 litres, and it’s standard on nutrition labels, recipes, and packaging globally.
🧠 Quick Comparison
Unit | Equivalent | Used In |
---|---|---|
1 Cup (US) | 236.588 mL | USA (recipes, baking, kitchenware) |
1 mL | 0.0042 cups | Global (labels, recipes, beverages) |
🧮 How to Convert
Cups to Millilitres: mL = cups × 236.588
Millilitres to Cups: cups = mL ÷ 236.588
Example:
2 cups × 236.588 = 473.176 mL
💡 Pro Tip
If you're using a recipe from another country, check if the “cup” refers to **US**, **UK**, or **metric**—they vary! U.S. cup = 236.6 mL, UK cup = 284 mL, Metric cup = 250 mL.
🎉 Did You Know?
The cup as a cooking unit was first standardized in the U.S. in the 1890s by Fannie Farmer, who insisted on exact measures in recipes!
🥛 Real-World Volume Examples
- ¼ cup – A shot of espresso (~60 mL)
- ½ cup – A serving of yogurt (~120 mL)
- 1 cup – A small glass of milk (~236.6 mL)
- 4 cups – About 1 litre of water or broth
📊 Cups to Millilitres Conversion Chart
Cups (US) | Millilitres (mL) |
---|---|
¼ | 59.15 |
½ | 118.29 |
1 | 236.59 |
2 | 473.18 |
3 | 709.77 |
4 | 946.35 |
📜 Timeline: The Cup as a Cooking Unit
- 1800s: Recipes used vague terms like "a teacup" or "a wine glass"
- 1896: Fannie Farmer standardized the U.S. measuring cup in her cookbook
- Today: U.S. cups dominate baking tools, but metric mL is the global standard
🌍 When to Use Cups vs Millilitres
- 🧁 Cups: Used in U.S. and Canada for baking, casual recipes, and food packaging
- 🧪 Millilitres: Global standard in cooking, science, and nutrition labeling
- 📏 Hybrid tip: Use both—mL for accuracy, cups for ease!