Cups to ML Converter - Know Your Cup Type (237ml vs 250ml vs 284ml)

Cups to Milliliters

Most Common

US Cup

237ml
237ml per cup

Metric Cup

250ml
250ml per cup
Also useful: UK Imperial Cup
UK Cup: 284ml (Imperial (rarely used))

Quick Values

Quick Reference Table
Common volume conversions between milliliters and cups
MillilitersUS CupsMetric Cups
60ml1/40.24
118ml1/20.47
177ml3/40.71
237ml10.95
250ml11.00
355ml1 1/21.42
473ml21.89
500ml2 1/82.00
1000ml4 1/44.00

The Cup Confusion: Why Your Recipe Might Be Using the Wrong Milliliters

You found a recipe calling for "2 cups of milk" - sounds simple, right? But which cup? Depending on the recipe's origin, those 2 cups could mean anywhere from 473ml to 568ml - that's nearly 100ml difference, or about 20% variation!

This isn't just academic precision - it's the difference between a perfectly risen bread and a dense brick, between silky custard and scrambled eggs. Understanding cups to ml conversion means understanding which measuring system you're actually using.

📏 The Global Cup Standards:

🇺🇸 US Legal Cup: 240ml (nutrition labels)
🇺🇸 US Customary Cup: 236.588ml (recipes)
🌍 Metric Cup: 250ml (Australia, NZ, Canada)
🇬🇧 UK Imperial Cup: 284.131ml (traditional)
🇯🇵 Japanese Cup: 200ml (rice cookers)

Most online recipes use US customary (237ml), but always verify!

Complete Cups to ML Conversion Chart (All Standards)

This comprehensive chart covers all common cup measurements and fractions across different standards. Save this for quick reference while baking! Need the reverse? Try our ML to Cups converter.

Complete conversion table showing cup measurements to milliliters across US, Metric, and UK standards with common uses
Cup Amount 🇺🇸 US (ml) 🌍 Metric (ml) 🇬🇧 UK (ml) Common Use
1/8 cup 30 31 36 2 tablespoons
1/4 cup 59 63 71 4 tablespoons
1/3 cup 79 83 95 5 tbsp + 1 tsp
1/2 cup 118 125 142 8 tablespoons
2/3 cup 158 167 189 10 tbsp + 2 tsp
3/4 cup 177 188 213 12 tablespoons
1 cup 237 250 284 16 tablespoons
1 1/4 cups 296 313 355 20 tablespoons
1 1/2 cups 355 375 426 24 tablespoons
2 cups 473 500 568 1 US pint
3 cups 710 750 852 1.5 US pints
4 cups 946 1000 1137 1 US quart

✅ Quick Check: If your recipe uses Fahrenheit, it's likely US cups (237ml). If it uses Celsius and you're in Australia/NZ, it's metric cups (250ml).

Why Precision Matters: From Cups to Milliliters

Converting cups to ml isn't just about following a recipe - it's about achieving consistent results every time. The difference between cup standards can dramatically affect your baking outcomes. This is especially important for liquid-heavy recipes like our fluffy pancakes or vanilla cake, where the liquid ratio determines texture.

Common Conversion Mistakes to Avoid:

  • • Assuming all cups are the same (they vary by 20%!)
  • • Not accounting for temperature expansion in hot liquids
  • • Using volume measurements for ingredients that should be weighed
  • • Mixing cup standards within the same recipe
  • • Not adjusting for liquid density differences

Quick Reference: Popular Ingredients

Liquids (1 US Cup)

  • Water: 237ml
  • Milk: 237ml
  • Heavy Cream: 237ml
  • Vegetable Oil: 218ml (lighter)
  • Honey: 340ml (denser)
  • Maple Syrup: 315ml (denser)

Common Fractions

  • 1/4 cup = 59ml (US)
  • 1/3 cup = 79ml (US)
  • 1/2 cup = 118ml (US)
  • 2/3 cup = 158ml (US)
  • 3/4 cup = 177ml (US)
  • 1 cup = 237ml (US)

For baking bread recipes that require precise liquid measurements, check our artisan bread recipe which demonstrates proper hydration ratios.

Baking Assistant👨‍🍳