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)
¼59.15
½118.29
1236.59
2473.18
3709.77
4946.35

📜 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!