Milliliter to Cup (US) Converter
Convert milliliters to US cups with our free online volume converter.
Quick Answer
1 Milliliter = 0.004227 US cups
Formula: Milliliter × conversion factor = Cup (US)
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
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Milliliter to Cup (US) Calculator
How to Use the Milliliter to Cup (US) Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Milliliter).
- The converted value in Cup (US) will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Volume category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Milliliter to Cup (US): Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Milliliter to Cup (US) involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Milliliter = 0.00422675 US cupsExample Calculation:
Convert 10 milliliters: 10 × 0.00422675 = 0.0422675 US cups
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
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View all Volume conversions →What is a Milliliter and a Cup (US)?
The milliliter (symbol: mL or ml) is a unit of volume equal to exactly one-thousandth of a liter (1/1000 L or 0.001 L). Critically, 1 milliliter equals exactly 1 cubic centimeter (1 cm³ or 1 cc).
The milliliter is part of the International System of Units (SI) and uses the metric prefix "milli-" meaning one-thousandth (from Latin mille, "thousand").
Mathematical Relationships
1 milliliter equals:
- 0.001 liters (L)
- 1 cubic centimeter (cm³ or cc) exactly
- 0.000001 cubic meters (m³)
- 0.033814 US fluid ounces (fl oz)
- 0.035195 UK fluid ounces (imperial)
- 0.202884 teaspoons (tsp)
- 0.067628 tablespoons (tbsp)
Key water relationship:
- 1 mL of water weighs 1 gram (at 4°C, maximum density)
This elegant relationship makes metric conversions trivial for water-based solutions.
Milliliter = Cubic Centimeter (cc)
Perfect equivalence: 1 mL = 1 cm³ = 1 cc (all three are identical)
Why this matters:
- Medical syringes often marked in "cc" (cubic centimeters) = milliliters
- Engine displacement: "2000 cc engine" = 2000 mL = 2.0 L
- Laboratory glassware uses both mL and cm³ interchangeably
- A cube with 1 cm sides (1 cm × 1 cm × 1 cm) holds exactly 1 mL
Symbol variations:
- mL (preferred in scientific publishing—avoids confusion with number "1")
- ml (common in everyday use)
- cc (common in medical and automotive contexts)
Why Milliliters?
While the liter is the base metric unit for volume, milliliters are more practical for everyday measurements:
Perfect human scale: Most cooking ingredients, medications, and beverage servings fall into the 5-500 mL range, avoiding decimals.
Avoids decimal confusion: "250 milliliters of milk" is clearer than "0.25 liters of milk" for most people.
Universal adoption: Used in 195+ countries for recipes, medicine, beverages, and laboratory work.
What Is a US Cup?
The US cup is a unit of volume in the United States customary measurement system, defined as:
- Exactly 8 US fluid ounces
- Exactly 16 tablespoons
- Exactly 48 teaspoons
- Exactly one-half (1/2) of a US pint
- Exactly one-sixteenth (1/16) of a US gallon
- Exactly 14.4375 cubic inches
- Exactly 236.5882365 milliliters (by definition from 1959 international agreement)
The US cup is the fundamental unit for measuring ingredients in American recipes, used for both liquid ingredients (water, milk, oil) and dry ingredients (flour, sugar, rice).
US Cup vs. Metric: Key Comparison
US Cup:
- 236.588 milliliters (about 237 mL)
- 0.237 liters (just under a quarter liter)
- Used in United States for recipes and nutrition
- Based on 1707 wine gallon (231 cubic inches ÷ 16)
Metric Cup:
- 250 milliliters (exactly)
- 0.25 liters (exactly 1/4 liter)
- Used in Australia, New Zealand, Canada (newer recipes), Japan
- Based on metric system (1/4 of 1 liter)
Visual comparison:
- A metric cup is about 13.4 mL larger than a US cup
- 1 metric cup = 1.057 US cups (about 5.7% larger)
- 1 US cup = 0.946 metric cups (about 5.7% smaller)
Recipe impact: Using a metric cup (250 mL) when a recipe calls for a US cup (237 mL) adds about 5.7% extra volume. For 4 cups of flour, that's an extra ~54 mL (about 3.5 tablespoons), which can affect baking results.
US Cup vs. Imperial Cup
US Cup:
- 236.588 mL (8 US fl oz)
- 1/16 of US gallon (231 cubic inches)
- Standard in United States
Imperial Cup:
- 284.131 mL (10 Imperial fl oz)
- 1/16 of Imperial gallon (277.42 cubic inches)
- 20% larger than US cup
- Rarely used today, even in UK
When it matters: Old British cookbooks (pre-1970s) may reference "cups," which could mean Imperial cups (284 mL)—significantly more than US cups. Most modern UK recipes use metric (mL, liters) or Imperial weights (ounces, pounds) instead of cups.
Note: The Milliliter is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Cup (US) belongs to the imperial/US customary system.
History of the Milliliter and Cup (US)
French Revolution: Birth of the Liter (1795)
Metric System Creation: The milliliter's story begins with the French Revolution's creation of the liter in 1795.
Water-Based Definition: One liter was originally defined as the volume occupied by one kilogram of pure water at maximum density (approximately 4°C or 39°F).
Elegant Interconnection:
- 1 liter of water = 1 kilogram = 1,000 grams
- 1 milliliter of water = 1 gram
- 1 milliliter = 1 cubic centimeter
This made the metric system beautifully self-consistent—volume, mass, and spatial dimensions all linked through water.
Etymology: The word "liter" comes from the obsolete French unit "litron," which was derived from Medieval Latin "litra" (a unit of mass).
The Medieval Litron: A Pre-Metric Precursor
Before the French Revolution standardized the liter, the "litron" was a measure for grain and salt.
- The Royal Litron: In the 17th century, the litron was roughly equivalent to 0.81 liters. However, because it was often measured using wooden boxes that could warp with humidity, the volume of a litron changed with the seasons.
- The Tax Man's Litron: French peasants often had to pay their taxes in litrons of grain. This created a massive incentive for the crown to "expand" the litron while the peasants tried to "shrink" it, a measurement war that only ended with the precision of the metric milliliter.
The Milliliter in 19th Century Pharmacy
As "Apothecary" shops evolved into modern pharmacies, the "Drop" became a liability.
- The Graduated Minim: Pharmacists used a 1-minim dropper, which was supposed to be 1/60th of a fluid dram. However, because the viscosity of oils versus tinctures resulted in different drop sizes, pharmacists pushed for the adoption of the milliliter as the only legally defensible unit for liquid drugs.
The Prefix "Milli-"
Latin Origin: "Milli-" comes from the Latin "mille" meaning "thousand."
Meaning: Milli- means one-thousandth (1/1000 or 0.001).
Other milli- units:
- Millimeter: 1/1000 meter
- Milligram: 1/1000 gram
- Millisecond: 1/1000 second
- Milliliter: 1/1000 liter
19th Century: Global Spread
1875: Metre Convention: The Treaty of the Metre established international cooperation on measurement standards. The liter (and milliliter) became recognized internationally.
Scientific Adoption: Laboratories worldwide embraced milliliters for precise liquid measurements, replacing inconsistent local units.
Medical Use: By the late 1800s, medicine had standardized on milliliters (or cubic centimeters/cc) for drug dosages and liquid medicines.
1901: Redefinition
Precision Refinement: In 1901, the liter was redefined as the volume of 1 kg of pure water at maximum density under standard atmospheric pressure. This made the liter slightly larger than 1 cubic decimeter (by about 28 parts per million).
1964: Modern Definition
CIPM Decision: The International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) redefined the liter as exactly one cubic decimeter (1 dm³).
Impact on milliliters: 1 milliliter = exactly 1 cubic centimeter (1 cm³), eliminating any tiny discrepancy.
Current definition: The milliliter is now purely geometric—the volume of a cube with 1 cm sides—rather than water-based.
Informal Origins: Household Measures
The "cup" as a measurement arose from practical necessity in pre-industrial kitchens. Before standardized measuring equipment, cooks used whatever vessels were at hand—teacups, coffee cups, drinking cups—to measure ingredients. This led to significant recipe variation, as "a cup of flour" could mean vastly different amounts depending on cup size.
Colonial American kitchens inherited this informal tradition from British cooking, where recipes called for vague measures like:
- "A teacup of sugar"
- "A coffee cup of milk"
- "Butter the size of an egg"
- "Flour enough to make a stiff dough"
This imprecision meant cooking success depended heavily on experience and intuition rather than reproducible measurements.
Formalization: The Wine Gallon System (1707)
The US customary cup was formalized based on the English wine gallon established in 1707 under Queen Anne. The Wine Gallon Act defined the gallon as 231 cubic inches, creating a mathematical relationship:
- 1 gallon = 231 cubic inches
- 1 cup = 1/16 gallon = 14.4375 cubic inches = 236.588 mL
After American independence in 1776, the United States retained this wine gallon standard. In 1832, the US Treasury Department officially standardized the US gallon at 231 cubic inches, making the cup exactly 1/16 of this gallon (14.4375 cubic inches or 236.588 mL).
This formalization meant the cup was legally defined, but households still lacked standardized measuring equipment to use it accurately.
The Fannie Farmer Revolution (1896)
The transformative moment for the US cup came with Fannie Merritt Farmer and her groundbreaking Boston Cooking-School Cook Book, published in 1896.
Farmer revolutionized American cooking by:
- Standardizing measurements: She insisted on precise, level measurements using standardized cups and spoons
- Replacing vague descriptions: Instead of "butter the size of a walnut," she wrote "2 tablespoons butter"
- Popularizing measuring cups: She promoted the use of standardized measuring cups with level, not heaping, measurements
- Creating reproducible recipes: Her precise measurements meant recipes could be followed successfully by novice cooks
Impact: Farmer's cookbook became one of the best-selling cookbooks of all time, running through 21 editions. It established the cup as the default American cooking measurement, a standard that persists 130+ years later. Before Farmer, recipes were inconsistent; after Farmer, standardized cup measurements became universal in American cooking.
Manufacturing Standardization (Early 1900s)
Following Farmer's success, manufacturers began producing standardized measuring cups for home kitchens:
1900s-1920s:
- Metal and glass measuring cups mass-produced
- Nesting cup sets (1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 1 cup) became standard
- Liquid measuring cups with spouts and graduated markings introduced
- Measuring spoons (1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp) standardized
Impact: By the 1920s-1930s, standardized measuring cups were common in American households, cementing the cup as the fundamental cooking unit.
Metric Definition (1959)
The 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement refined the cup's definition in metric terms:
- 1 inch = 25.4 millimeters (exactly)
- 1 US gallon = 231 cubic inches = 3.785411784 liters (exactly)
- 1 US cup = 1/16 gallon = 236.5882365 milliliters (exactly)
This metric definition ended ambiguity about the cup's exact size in international and scientific contexts.
Modern Usage: American Cooking Standard
Today, the US cup remains the default measurement for American recipes, despite metrication efforts:
Why the cup persists:
- Cultural inertia: Generations of American cooks learned with cups; switching would require massive re-education
- Recipe legacy: Hundreds of thousands of American recipes use cups; conversion would be enormous
- Measuring equipment: American kitchens are equipped with cup-based measuring tools
- Intuitive sizing: Cup measurements feel natural for portion-based cooking ("2 cups rice serves 4 people")
Metric resistance: The 1975 Metric Conversion Act was voluntary, and American cooking resisted metrication. While nutrition labels show both cups and milliliters, recipes overwhelmingly use cups.
International confusion: US cup measurements create ongoing challenges for international recipe sharing, as metric cup (250 mL), US cup (237 mL), and Imperial cup (284 mL) differ significantly.
Common Uses and Applications: milliliters vs US cups
Explore the typical applications for both Milliliter (metric) and Cup (US) (imperial/US) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for milliliters
Medicine and Pharmacology
Prescription Medications: Liquid medications measured in milliliters:
- Antibiotics: "Take 10 mL twice daily"
- Cough syrup: "Take 15 mL every 4-6 hours"
- Pain relievers: "Give 5 mL per dose for children"
Dosing Precision: Milliliters allow accurate dosing:
- Pediatric doses often require precision to 0.5 mL
- Adult doses typically 5-30 mL range
- Measuring spoons or syringes marked in mL
IV Fluids: Hospital IV bags measured in mL:
- Saline drip: 1,000 mL bag, infused over hours
- Medication delivery: 50-250 mL piggyback bags
- Fluid intake/output: tracked in mL for patient monitoring
Cooking Worldwide
Global Recipe Standard: Most countries use milliliters for liquid ingredients:
- "Add 250 mL milk"
- "Mix in 30 mL soy sauce"
- "Drizzle with 45 mL olive oil"
Kitchen Measuring Tools:
- Liquid measuring cups: marked in mL (and fluid ounces in US)
- Measuring spoons: 1.25 mL, 2.5 mL, 5 mL, 15 mL
- Kitchen scale with liquid mode: measures mL for water-based liquids
Precision Baking: Professional bakers prefer milliliters for consistency:
- Eliminates meniscus reading errors
- Repeatable results
- Easy scaling (double recipe = double all mL measurements)
Beverage Industry
Product Labeling: Beverages worldwide labeled in milliliters:
- "Contents: 355 mL (12 fl oz)"
- "Serving size: 250 mL"
- "Servings per container: 4 (1,000 mL bottle)"
Alcohol Content: "Standard drink" defined in mL in many countries:
- Australia: 10 mL pure alcohol = 1 standard drink
- UK: 8 mL (10g) pure alcohol = 1 unit
- US: 14 mL (17.7g) pure alcohol = 1 standard drink
Bartending: Cocktail recipes use milliliters:
- Jigger: 30 mL (1 oz) or 45 mL (1.5 oz)
- Recipes: "45 mL vodka, 15 mL lime juice, 10 mL simple syrup"
Laboratory Science
Chemistry: Milliliters essential for chemical reactions:
- Titrations: measuring acid/base volumes to 0.1 mL
- Solution preparation: "Dissolve in 500 mL solvent"
- Concentration: moles per liter (mol/L or M)
Biology: Cell culture and biological assays:
- Cell culture media: 10-50 mL per flask
- PCR reactions: measured in microliters (µL), 1 µL = 0.001 mL
- Biological samples: typically 0.5-5 mL volumes
Physics: Density measurements use mL:
- Density = mass (grams) ÷ volume (milliliters) = g/mL
- Water: 1 g/mL at 4°C
- Alcohol: 0.79 g/mL
- Mercury: 13.6 g/mL
Cosmetics and Personal Care
Product Packaging: Cosmetics labeled in milliliters:
- Perfume: 30 mL, 50 mL, 100 mL bottles
- Foundation: 30-50 mL bottles
- Shampoo: 250 mL, 500 mL, 1,000 mL bottles
- Travel sizes: typically 100 mL or less (TSA limit)
When to Use US cups
1. Baking: Flour, Sugar, and Dry Ingredients
The cup is the default measurement for baking in American recipes:
Flour measurements:
- Proper technique: "Spoon and level"—spoon flour into cup, level with straight edge (don't pack or tap)
- Never scoop directly: Scooping compacts flour, adding 15-25% more than intended
- Sifting note: "1 cup sifted flour" means sift first, then measure; "1 cup flour, sifted" means measure first, then sift
Sugar measurements:
- Granulated/white sugar: Level measurement (1 cup = 200g)
- Brown sugar: Pack firmly into cup until level (1 cup packed = 220g)
- Powdered/confectioner's sugar: Sift if lumpy, then spoon and level (1 cup = 120g)
Why cups for baking:
- Convenience: Faster than weighing for home bakers
- Recipe tradition: Centuries of American recipes use cups
- Equipment: Most American homes have measuring cups, fewer have kitchen scales
Limitation: Volume measurements are less precise than weight for baking, as ingredient density varies.
2. Cooking: Liquids, Grains, and Chopped Ingredients
Liquid measurements:
- Water, milk, broth: Use liquid measuring cup, read at eye level (1 cup = 8 fl oz)
- Oil: Pour to cup line (lighter than water: 1 cup ≈ 218g)
- Honey, syrup: Lightly oil cup first for easy release (1 cup ≈ 340g)
Rice and grains:
- Standard rice ratio: 1 cup rice + 2 cups water = ~3 cups cooked rice (serves 3-4)
- Pasta: 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni = ~2 cups cooked
- Oatmeal: 1 cup oats + 2 cups liquid = ~2 cups cooked oatmeal
Chopped ingredients:
- Chopped vegetables: Fill cup loosely without packing (1 cup chopped onion ≈ 160g)
- Shredded cheese: Pack lightly (1 cup shredded cheddar ≈ 113g / 4 oz)
- Nuts: Whole or chopped (1 cup whole almonds ≈ 140g)
3. Nutrition and Portion Control
FDA serving size standards: The FDA's nutrition labeling uses cups to standardize serving sizes, helping consumers:
- Compare products: Same serving sizes across brands
- Track intake: Monitor daily consumption ("2 cups vegetables per day")
- Understand calories: Calories per cup clearly labeled
Common nutritional servings:
- Vegetables (raw): 1 cup = 1 serving
- Vegetables (cooked): 1/2 cup = 1 serving
- Fruit: 1/2-1 cup = 1 serving (depending on fruit)
- Grains (cooked): 1 cup rice/pasta = 2 servings
- Dairy: 1 cup milk/yogurt = 1 serving
Portion control:
- Visual comparison: 1 cup ≈ size of baseball or fist
- Meal planning: Portioning meals into cups for calorie/macro tracking
- Food storage: Pre-portioning 1-cup servings for meal prep
4. Recipe Writing and Following
Standard recipe format: American recipes universally use cups as the primary volume measurement:
Typical recipe ingredient list:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter (melted)
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Recipe fractions: Common cup fractions in recipes:
- 1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons = 2 fl oz
- 1/3 cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon
- 1/2 cup = 8 tablespoons = 4 fl oz
- 2/3 cup = 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
- 3/4 cup = 12 tablespoons = 6 fl oz
Why recipes use cups:
- Household equipment: Standard measuring cups ubiquitous in US homes
- Easy scaling: Simple to double/halve recipes using cup measurements
- Intuitive quantities: "2 cups flour" easier to visualize than "250 grams flour" for American cooks
5. Coffee and Beverage Preparation
Coffee brewing:
- Coffee maker "cups": Typically 5-6 fl oz per "cup" marking (not 8 oz measurement cups)
- Brewing ratio: 1-2 tablespoons coffee per 6 fl oz water (1 "coffee cup")
- For 1 measurement cup (8 fl oz): Use 2-3 tablespoons ground coffee
- French press: 1 cup water (8 fl oz) + 2 tablespoons coarse coffee
Beverage recipes:
- Smoothies: "1 cup milk, 1 cup frozen fruit, 1/2 cup yogurt"
- Cocktails: Some recipes use "1/4 cup" instead of "2 fl oz" for simplicity
- Hot chocolate: "2 cups milk, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/4 cup sugar"
Serving sizes:
- Standard beverage serving: 1 cup (8 fl oz) for nutrition labeling
- Actual beverage sizes: Coffee mugs often 10-16 oz (1.25-2 cups)
6. Food Storage and Meal Prep
Portion storage:
- Meal prep containers: Often sized in cups (2-cup, 4-cup capacity)
- Leftover portioning: "2 cups cooked rice" stored for future meals
- Freezer storage: Soups, sauces frozen in 1-cup or 2-cup portions
Bulk cooking:
- Batch recipes: "Makes 8 cups soup" = 8 servings (1 cup each)
- Food preservation: Canning recipes specify "4 cups strawberries"
- Storage containers: Glass containers labeled by cup capacity (2-cup, 4-cup, 8-cup)
7. Teaching and Cooking Education
Cooking education:
- Basic cooking classes: Teach proper measuring cup technique (level, not heaped)
- Recipe reading: Understanding "1/3 cup" vs "1/2 cup" measurements
- Conversion skills: Converting tablespoons to cups (16 tbsp = 1 cup)
Kitchen math:
- Fraction practice: Baking teaches fractions (1/2 + 1/4 = 3/4 cup)
- Scaling recipes: Doubling/tripling recipe quantities
- Unit conversion: Cups to ounces to milliliters
Additional Unit Information
About Cup (US) (cup)
How many fluid ounces are in a US cup?
There are exactly 8 US fluid ounces (fl oz) in 1 US cup. This is a defining relationship: the cup is defined as 8 fl oz, which equals 236.588 milliliters.
Quick conversion:
- 1 cup = 8 fl oz
- 1/2 cup = 4 fl oz
- 1/4 cup = 2 fl oz
- 2 cups = 16 fl oz = 1 pint
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
There are exactly 16 tablespoons (tbsp) in 1 US cup.
Quick conversion:
- 1 cup = 16 tablespoons
- 3/4 cup = 12 tablespoons
- 1/2 cup = 8 tablespoons
- 1/3 cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon
- 1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons
Practical use: If a recipe calls for "1/4 cup butter," you can measure 4 tablespoons instead.
How many milliliters are in a US cup?
One US cup is exactly 236.5882365 milliliters (mL), commonly rounded to 237 mL or 240 mL in recipes.
Common approximations:
- Exact: 236.588 mL
- Recipe approximation: 240 mL (1.5% error, acceptable for most cooking)
- Never use: 250 mL (that's a metric cup, 5.7% larger)
Conversion:
- 1 cup ≈ 237 mL or 240 mL
- 2 cups ≈ 473 mL or 480 mL
- 4 cups ≈ 946 mL or 950 mL ≈ 1 liter
Is a US cup the same as a metric cup?
No. The US cup is about 5.7% smaller than a metric cup:
- US cup: 236.6 mL (8 US fl oz)
- Metric cup: 250 mL (1/4 liter)
- Difference: 13.4 mL (about 1 tablespoon more in metric cup)
Why it matters:
- Australian/NZ/Canadian recipes: Modern recipes use metric cups (250 mL)
- US recipes: Use US cups (237 mL)
- Baking precision: 5.7% difference affects flour/sugar quantities in baking
Conversion: 1 metric cup = 1.057 US cups ≈ 1 US cup + 1 tablespoon
How do you convert cups to grams?
Cup-to-gram conversion depends on the ingredient's density. There's no universal conversion because 1 cup of flour weighs much less than 1 cup of honey.
Common conversions:
Flours:
- All-purpose flour: 1 cup = 120g (spoon and level method)
- Bread flour: 1 cup = 127g
- Cake flour: 1 cup = 114g
- Whole wheat flour: 1 cup = 120g
Sugars:
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup = 200g
- Brown sugar (packed): 1 cup = 220g
- Powdered sugar: 1 cup = 120g
Fats:
- Butter: 1 cup = 227g (2 sticks)
- Vegetable oil: 1 cup = 218g
Liquids:
- Water/milk: 1 cup = 240g (approximately)
- Honey: 1 cup = 340g
Other:
- Rice (uncooked): 1 cup = 185g
- Oats (rolled): 1 cup = 90g
For accurate baking: Use a kitchen scale and weight-based recipes (grams) rather than volume (cups).
What's the difference between dry and liquid measuring cups?
Dry measuring cups and liquid measuring cups are designed for different purposes:
Dry measuring cups:
- Design: Flat rim, no spout, nested set (1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 1 cup)
- Usage: Fill to rim, level with straight edge (knife, spatula)
- Best for: Flour, sugar, grains, chopped ingredients, anything that needs leveling
- Materials: Metal, plastic, sometimes glass
Liquid measuring cups:
- Design: Spout for pouring, graduated markings, headspace above top marking
- Sizes: 1 cup, 2 cup (1 pint), 4 cup (1 quart), 8 cup (2 quart)
- Usage: Pour liquid to desired line, read at eye level (meniscus)
- Best for: Water, milk, oil, juice, broth—anything that pours
- Materials: Glass (heat-resistant Pyrex) or clear plastic
Why the difference?
- Dry cups: Leveling requires flat rim; filled exactly to top
- Liquid cups: Headspace prevents spills; eye-level reading ensures accuracy
Can you interchange them? Technically yes for approximate cooking, but accuracy suffers. For best results, use correct tool for ingredient type.
How many cups are in a gallon?
There are exactly 16 US cups in 1 US gallon.
Gallon breakdown:
- 1 gallon = 16 cups = 8 pints = 4 quarts = 128 fl oz
- 1/2 gallon = 8 cups = 4 pints = 2 quarts = 64 fl oz
- 1/4 gallon = 4 cups = 2 pints = 1 quart = 32 fl oz
Reverse conversion:
- 1 cup = 1/16 gallon = 0.0625 gallon
- 4 cups = 1/4 gallon = 1 quart
- 8 cups = 1/2 gallon = 2 quarts
Practical use: If a recipe calls for 2 gallons of liquid, that's 32 cups.
Why do bakers prefer weighing ingredients instead of using cups?
Professional and experienced bakers prefer weight measurements (grams/ounces) over volume measurements (cups) for several important reasons:
1. Precision and consistency:
- 1 cup flour can weigh 120-140g depending on how it's measured (spooned vs. scooped)
- 120g flour always weighs exactly 120g, regardless of measuring method
- Result: Weight gives consistent, reproducible results every time
2. Ingredient density varies:
- Compaction: Flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder compact differently each time
- Settling: Ingredients settle during storage, changing volume but not weight
- Humidity: Flour absorbs moisture, increasing volume without adding weight
3. Easier scaling:
- Double recipe: Simply multiply all weights by 2
- Cups require math: Doubling "1/3 cup" requires calculating "2/3 cup" (10 tbsp + 2 tsp)
- Baker's percentages: Professional recipes use ingredient percentages relative to flour weight
4. Less cleanup:
- One bowl: Place bowl on scale, zero/tare, add ingredients sequentially
- Cups require multiple tools: 1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, tablespoons, leveling knife
5. International recipes:
- European recipes: Use grams exclusively
- Professional recipes: Written in weight for precision
- Cup conversions unreliable: Flour weight per cup varies by flour type
Bottom line: For precision baking (bread, pastries, cakes), weight beats volume. For casual cooking, cups are fine.
How should I measure flour correctly using cups?
To measure flour accurately using cups, use the "spoon and level" method:
Correct method:
- Fluff the flour: Stir flour in container with spoon to aerate (don't use flour straight from bag, as it settles and compacts)
- Spoon into cup: Use a spoon to lightly scoop flour into measuring cup—don't scoop cup directly into flour
- Overfill slightly: Pile flour slightly above rim of cup
- Level with straight edge: Use knife, spatula, or straight edge to level flour exactly at rim (sweep excess back into container)
- Don't tap or pack: Don't tap cup, shake, or pack flour down
Result: 1 cup all-purpose flour = ~120-125 grams
What NOT to do:
- ❌ Don't scoop cup directly into flour (compacts flour, adds 15-25% extra)
- ❌ Don't tap cup to settle flour (compacts flour)
- ❌ Don't pack flour (except for brown sugar, which should be packed)
- ❌ Don't use measuring cup as scoop
Special cases:
- "1 cup sifted flour": Sift flour first, then measure (yields ~110-115g)
- "1 cup flour, sifted": Measure first, then sift (yields ~120-125g)
Best practice: Use a kitchen scale and measure flour by weight (120g per cup) for consistent baking results.
Can I use the same cup measurement for liquids and dry ingredients?
Yes, the volume is the same (1 cup = 8 fl oz = 236.6 mL for both), but you should use different measuring cups for best accuracy:
Volume is identical:
- 1 cup water = 8 fl oz = 236.6 mL = ~240g
- 1 cup flour = 8 fl oz = 236.6 mL = ~120g (different weight due to density)
But use correct measuring cup type:
For liquids (water, milk, oil):
- Use liquid measuring cup (clear, with spout and graduations)
- Fill to line, read at eye level
For dry ingredients (flour, sugar, rice):
- Use dry measuring cup (nested set: 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 1 cup)
- Fill to rim, level with straight edge
Why different cups if volume is same?
- Design differences: Dry cups designed for leveling; liquid cups designed to prevent spills
- Accuracy: Using wrong type reduces measurement precision
- Meniscus reading: Liquids need eye-level reading; dry ingredients need leveling
Bottom line: 1 cup is 1 cup volume-wise, but use the right tool for the ingredient type for best accuracy.
What does "packed brown sugar" mean?
"Packed brown sugar" means firmly pressing brown sugar into the measuring cup so it holds its shape when turned out.
How to measure packed brown sugar:
- Scoop brown sugar into cup
- Press down firmly with fingers, back of spoon, or tamper
- Add more sugar, press again
- Repeat until cup is filled to rim with firmly packed sugar
- Level with straight edge
- Test: Turn cup upside down—sugar should hold cup shape
Result: 1 cup packed brown sugar = ~220 grams
Why pack brown sugar?
- Density: Brown sugar contains molasses, making it clumpy and variable in density
- Unpacked varies widely: Loose brown sugar could be 150-180g per cup (inconsistent)
- Packing standardizes: Firmly packed brown sugar gives consistent ~220g per cup
Always pack unless recipe says otherwise:
- "1 cup brown sugar" = assume packed (default)
- "1 cup packed brown sugar" = definitely packed
- "1 cup unpacked brown sugar" = rare; lightly fill without pressing
Compare to granulated sugar:
- Granulated sugar: Level measurement, no packing (1 cup = 200g)
- Brown sugar: Firmly packed (1 cup = 220g)
Conversion Table: Milliliter to Cup (US)
| Milliliter (mL) | Cup (US) (cup) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.002 |
| 1 | 0.004 |
| 1.5 | 0.006 |
| 2 | 0.009 |
| 5 | 0.021 |
| 10 | 0.042 |
| 25 | 0.106 |
| 50 | 0.211 |
| 100 | 0.423 |
| 250 | 1.057 |
| 500 | 2.113 |
| 1,000 | 4.227 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Milliliter to Cup (US)?
To convert Milliliter to Cup (US), enter the value in Milliliter in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our volume converter page to convert between other units in this category.
Learn more →What is the conversion factor from Milliliter to Cup (US)?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Milliliter and Cup (US). You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.
Can I convert Cup (US) back to Milliliter?
Yes! You can easily convert Cup (US) back to Milliliter by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Cup (US) to Milliliter converter page. You can also explore other volume conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Milliliter and Cup (US)?
Milliliter and Cup (US) are both standard units used in volume measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our volume converter for more conversion options.
For more volume conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.
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📚 How to Convert Units
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⚖️ Metric vs Imperial
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⚠️ Common Mistakes
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All Volume Conversions
Other Volume Units and Conversions
Explore other volume units and their conversion options:
- Liter (L) • Milliliter to Liter
- Cubic meter (m³) • Milliliter to Cubic meter
- Gallon (US) (gal) • Milliliter to Gallon (US)
- Gallon (UK) (gal) • Milliliter to Gallon (UK)
- Quart (qt) • Milliliter to Quart
- Cup (cup) • Milliliter to Cup
- Fluid ounce (fl oz) • Milliliter to Fluid ounce
- Pint (US) (pt) • Milliliter to Pint (US)
Verified Against Authority Standards
All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.
National Institute of Standards and Technology — Standards for volume measurements
Last verified: February 19, 2026