Cup (cup) - Unit Information & Conversion
What is a Cup?
Definition, origin, usage, and conversion formulas for the cup.
Definition
The cup is a unit of volume used in cooking and measurements. The most common definition is the US customary cup (approx. 236.59 ml), but other definitions exist (e.g., metric cup = 250 ml).
History
The cup evolved as a traditional, informal unit of measurement in cooking, often related to the size of a typical teacup.
Common Uses
- Cooking: Widely used in recipes, especially in North America, for measuring both liquid and dry ingredients.
- Beverages: Measuring coffee and tea portions in home brewing.
- Breakfast: Portioning breakfast cereals and grains.
- Staple Foods: Measuring rice, pasta, and other staple foods before cooking.
- Baking: Used in baking for flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients.
- Storage: Common unit for household food storage containers.
- Nutrition: Measuring serving sizes in dietary guidelines and nutrition information.
Unit FAQs
Is a cup the same everywhere?
No, the volume of a "cup" can vary significantly by region (e.g., US customary ≈ 237 mL, US legal = 240 mL, metric = 250 mL, imperial ≈ 284 mL). This converter primarily uses the US customary cup unless otherwise specified in the context of a specific conversion pair.
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
In the US customary system, there are 16 tablespoons in 1 cup. This is a useful conversion to remember for scaling recipes up or down, especially when working with smaller quantities.
Is a dry cup different from a liquid cup?
Yes, in the US customary system, there is a distinction between dry and liquid cup measurements. While they have the same volume (8 fluid ounces), they are measured differently. Liquid cups are typically measured to the brim in a liquid measuring cup, while dry cups are measured by filling and leveling off in a dry measuring cup. For precise cooking results, it's best to use the appropriate measuring tool for each type of ingredient.
Cup Conversion Formulas
To Liter:
To Milliliter:
To Cubic meter:
To Gallon (US):
To Gallon (UK):
To Quart:
To Fluid ounce:
To Cup (US):
To Pint (US):
Convert Cup
Need to convert Cup to other volume units? Use our conversion tool.