Convert mL to cups
PrintmL to Cup Conversion Table
| Milliliter (mL) | Cup (US cup) |
|---|---|
| 5 mL | 0.0211338 cups |
| 10 mL | 0.0422675 cups |
| 15 mL | 0.0634013 cups |
| 50 mL | 0.2113376 cups |
| 100 mL | 0.4226753 cups |
| 200 mL | 0.8453506 cups |
| 236.59 mL | 1 cup |
| 250 mL | 1.0566882 cups |
| 500 mL | 2.1133764 cups |
| 1000 mL | 4.2267528 cups |
Cups and milliliters are the primary volume measurement units used across domestic baking recipes, professional culinary kitchens, nutrition labeling, cocktail mixology, and coffee brewing. While the US customary cup is standard in North American cookbooks, international recipes from Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Asia specify volume in milliliters (mL) or metric cups.
Our free online Cups to Ml Converter provides instant, high-precision volume conversions in both directions:
- US Customary Cups to Milliliters: Multiply US cups by
236.5882365(exact customary standard). - US Legal Cups (FDA Nutrition Labels) to Milliliters: Multiply cups by
240(exact US FDA standard). - Metric Cups (UK / Australia / NZ) to Milliliters: Multiply metric cups by
250(exact metric standard). - Milliliters to US Customary Cups: Divide mL by
236.5882365(or multiply by0.00422675).
International Cup Sizes Comparison Table
Because different countries define the “cup” unit differently, converting cups to milliliters requires selecting the correct cup standard:
| Cup Definition | Primary Regions / Context | Fluid Ounce Equivalent | Exact Volume in Milliliters (mL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Customary Cup | Traditional American recipes & cookbooks | 8.0 US fl oz | 236.5882365 mL (approx. 236.59 mL) |
| US Legal Cup | FDA Nutrition Facts food serving labels | 8.115 US fl oz | 240.0000000 mL (exact) |
| Metric Cup | UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Commonwealth | 8.454 US fl oz | 250.0000000 mL (exact) |
| Imperial Cup (Old UK) | Historical British cookbooks | 10.0 Imp fl oz (9.61 US fl oz) | 284.1306250 mL (exact) |
| Japanese Cup (G&omacut;) | Japanese rice cookers & traditional cooking | 6.086 US fl oz | 180.0000000 mL (exact) |
Step-by-Step Calculation Example
To convert 15 US customary cups to milliliters:
15 cups × 236.5882365 = 3,548.823548 milliliters
Thus, 15 US cups is equal to approximately 3,548.82 mL (3.55 Liters).
US Cup to Milliliter Conversion Table
Below is a handy reference lookup table converting standard baking cup fractions and volumes from 0.01 cups up to 1,000 cups:
| US Cups (cups) | Milliliters (mL) | Baking & Kitchen Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| 0.01 cup | 2.365882 mL | 2.37 mL (0.48 US tsp) |
| 0.10 cup | 23.658824 mL | 23.66 mL (1.6 US tbsp) |
| 1/4 cup (0.25) | 59.147059 mL | 1/4 Cup (59.15 mL / 4 tbsp / 2 fl oz) |
| 1/3 cup (0.333) | 78.862745 mL | 1/3 Cup (78.86 mL / 5 1/3 tbsp) |
| 1/2 cup (0.50) | 118.294118 mL | 1/2 Cup (118.29 mL / 8 tbsp / 4 fl oz) |
| 2/3 cup (0.667) | 157.725491 mL | 2/3 Cup (157.73 mL / 10 2/3 tbsp) |
| 3/4 cup (0.75) | 177.441177 mL | 3/4 Cup (177.44 mL / 12 tbsp / 6 fl oz) |
| 1.00 cup | 236.588237 mL | 1.0 US Customary Cup Benchmark (236.59 mL / 16 tbsp) |
| 2.00 cups (1 Pint) | 473.176473 mL | 473.18 mL (1 US Liquid Pint) |
| 4.00 cups (1 Quart) | 946.352946 mL | 946.35 mL (1 US Liquid Quart / ~0.95 L) |
| 10.00 cups | 2,365.882365 mL | 2.366 Liters |
| 100.00 cups | 23,658.823650 mL | 23.659 Liters |
| 1,000.00 cups | 236,588.236500 mL | 236.588 Liters |
History & Culinary Standards: Fannie Farmer vs. Metric System
Fannie Farmer and the Standardization of the Cooking Cup (1896)
Before the late 19th century, recipe ingredients were described using informal household teacups, coffee cups, or wine glasses, leading to unpredictable baking results. In 1896, American culinary pioneer Fannie Farmer published The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book, formalizing standardized level measuring cups and spoons across North America. The US customary cup was set to 1/16th of a US gallon (8 fluid ounces = 236.5882365 mL).
The Metric Cup (250 mL) and US Legal Cup (240 mL)
When Commonwealth nations (UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada) metricated their kitchens, they standardized the metric cup as exactly 250 milliliters (1/4th of a liter). Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) created the US legal cup of exactly 240 mL to simplify nutrition serving sizes on food package labels.
To convert milliliters back to cups, visit our Ml to Cups Converter. For larger volume conversions, check our Liters to Gallons Converter or explore our Conversion Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many milliliters are in 1 US customary cup?
There are exactly 236.5882365 milliliters in 1 US customary cup (commonly rounded to 236.6 mL or 237 mL).
How many mL is 1/2 cup of liquid in baking?
1/2 US cup equals 118.29 milliliters (or 120 mL when using FDA legal cup measures).
What is the difference between a US cup and a metric cup in mL?
A US customary cup is 236.59 mL, a US FDA legal cup is 240 mL, and an international metric cup is 250 mL.
How many mL is 1/4 cup?
1/4 US cup equals 59.15 milliliters.