Convert cups to mL
Enter a value below to convert cup (US) to milliliter [mL], or vice versa.
mL = cups × 236.588
For reverse: cups = mL ÷ 236.588. Based on the US customary cup = 236.5882365 mL exactly.
- Enter number of cups in the From field
- Click Convert — result appears in milliliters
- Use ⇅ to reverse (mL → cups)
Cup (US)
Definition: A cup is a unit of volume in the US customary system. One US cup equals 236.5882365 milliliters, 8 US fluid ounces, 16 US tablespoons, or 48 US teaspoons. This is the unit used in our cups to mL calculator above.
History/origin: The US cup was standardized as part of the US customary measurement system in the early 20th century. It was formally defined in relation to the US fluid ounce and remains a legal unit of measurement in the United States.
Current use: The cup is widely used in US cooking and baking. Whether you need cups to mL for water, cups to mL for milk, or cups to mL for flour, the conversion factor is the same: multiply by 236.588. Note that 1 cup of water in mL = 236.59 mL, but 1 cup of flour weighs much less since flour is far less dense than water.
Milliliter
Definition: A milliliter (symbol: mL) is a metric unit of volume equal to one-thousandth of a liter (0.001 L) or exactly 1 cubic centimeter (cm³). It is part of the International System of Units (SI).
History/origin: The milliliter is derived from the liter, which was defined in France in 1795 as part of the original metric system. The prefix "milli-" indicates a factor of 10⁻³.
Current use: The milliliter is used worldwide in cooking, medicine, and science. Countries that follow metric recipes express cup-sized volumes in milliliters — for example, what a US recipe calls "1 cup," an Australian recipe writes as "250 mL" (the metric cup).
Cups to mL for common ingredients
Cups to mL — water
1 cup of water in mL = 236.59 mL. Since water's density is 1 g/mL, 1 cup of water also weighs ~237 g. This is the most straightforward cups to mL conversion.
Cups to mL — milk
1 cup of milk in mL = 236.59 mL (by volume). Milk is slightly denser than water, so 1 cup of whole milk weighs about 244 g. The volume conversion always remains 236.59 mL.
Cups to mL — flour
1 cup of flour in mL = 236.59 mL by volume. However, flour is much lighter — 1 cup of all-purpose flour weighs only 120–130 g. Always use volume measurement when converting cups to mL for flour.
Cups to mL — UK
For cups to mL UK conversions: the UK imperial cup = 284.131 mL, significantly more than the US cup (236.59 mL). Most modern UK recipes use grams/mL, but older British recipes may still use the imperial cup.
Cups to mL conversion table
| Cups (US) | Milliliters [mL] | Common search |
|---|---|---|
| ¼ cups | 59.1471 mL | 1/4 cup to ml |
| ½ cups | 118.2941 mL | half cup to ml |
| ¾ cups | 177.4412 mL | 3/4 cup to ml |
| 1 cup | 236.5882 mL | 1 cup of water in ml |
| 1.5 cups | 354.8824 mL | 1.5 cups to ml |
| 2 cups | 473.1765 mL | 2 cups to ml |
| 2.5 cups | 591.4706 mL | 2.5 cups to ml |
| 3 cups | 709.7647 mL | 3 cups to ml |
| 4 cups | 946.3529 mL | 4 cups to ml |
| 5 cups | 1182.9412 mL | 5 cups to ml |
| 6 cups | 1419.5294 mL | 6 cups to ml |
| 8 cups | 1892.7059 mL | 8 cups to ml |
Frequently asked questions
Is 250 mL the same as 1 cup?
No — 1 US cup = 236.588 mL, not 250 mL. However, in Australia, Canada, and some other countries, the standard cup is the metric cup = 250 mL. This 13 mL difference can matter in precise baking. Always check whether a recipe uses the US or metric cup.
What is 1 cup in mL?
1 US customary cup = 236.588 mL. The US legal cup (used on nutrition labels) = 240 mL. The metric cup (Australia/Canada) = 250 mL. The UK imperial cup = 284.131 mL. This calculator uses the US customary cup (236.5882365 mL).
How many mL is a ½ cup?
½ US cup = 118.294 mL. If using a metric cup, ½ cup = 125 mL. For most cooking purposes, 118 mL and 120 mL are interchangeable and the small difference will not affect the recipe.
Is 1 cup 200 mL or 250 mL?
Neither exactly. 1 US cup = 236.588 mL — not 200 mL or 250 mL. The metric cup used in Australia and Canada is 250 mL, which is the common source of confusion. No standard cup definition equals 200 mL.
300 mL is equal to how many cups?
300 mL ÷ 236.588 = 1.2680 US cups (approximately 1 cup and 4 tablespoons). In metric cups: 300 mL ÷ 250 = 1.2 metric cups. Use the swap button in our cups to mL calculator above to convert mL to cups.
500 mL is equal to how many cups?
500 mL ÷ 236.588 = 2.1134 US cups (just over 2 cups). In metric cups: 500 mL ÷ 250 = 2.0 metric cups exactly. 500 mL equals approximately half a liter, which is a common liquid measurement in cooking.
2 cups is equal to how many mL?
2 US cups × 236.588 = 473.176 mL. This is close to ½ liter (500 mL) but not exactly equal. In metric cups, 2 cups = 500 mL exactly. For precision, always use our cups to mL calculator above.