Cups to Milliliters Converter
Convert cups to milliliters instantly and back. Supports US cups (236.6 mL) and metric cups (250 mL), with worked examples, a baking chart and common cup to mL conversions.
Updated 2026-06-14 · Free · No sign-up · Runs privately in your browser
Show the formula & steps
How the Cups to Milliliters Converter Works
This converter switches between cups and milliliters (mL) in both directions, and supports both the US cup (236.588 mL) and the metric cup (250 mL). Type a value, pick the system, and the result updates live with the steps shown.
The Formula
Milliliters = US cups × 236.5882365 Milliliters = metric cups × 250
The US customary cup is the standard in American recipes, while the 250 mL metric cup is used in Australia, New Zealand and much of Europe. To reverse the conversion, divide milliliters by the matching factor.
Worked Example
Convert 2 US cups to milliliters:
- 2 × 236.5882365 = 473.18 mL
Convert 500 mL to US cups:
- 500 ÷ 236.5882365 = 2.11 US cups
Baking Reference Chart
| Cups | US (mL) | Metric (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 | 59.1 | 62.5 |
| 1/2 | 118.3 | 125 |
| 1 | 236.6 | 250 |
| 2 | 473.2 | 500 |
| 4 | 946.4 | 1000 |
Which Cup Does Your Recipe Use?
If a recipe comes from the United States, it almost certainly means the 236.6 mL cup. If it comes from Australia, New Zealand or Europe, it likely means the 250 mL metric cup. For most everyday cooking the difference is small, but in precise baking the 13 mL gap per cup can affect a delicate batter, so match the cup to the recipe’s origin.
Frequently asked questions
How many milliliters are in a cup?+
A US customary cup is 236.5882365 mL, usually rounded to 237 mL or even 240 mL in nutrition labeling. A metric cup is exactly 250 mL.
How do I convert cups to milliliters?+
For US cups, multiply by 236.588. For metric cups, multiply by 250. For example, 2 US cups × 236.588 = 473.2 mL.
How many ml is 1 cup of water?+
One US cup of water is about 236.6 mL, while one metric cup is 250 mL. Recipes from Australia, NZ and parts of Europe use the 250 mL metric cup.
Why are US and metric cups different?+
The US cup grew from older customary units and equals about 236.6 mL, while the metric cup was rounded to a tidy 250 mL. The 13 mL gap can matter in baking.
How many ml is half a cup?+
Half a US cup is about 118.3 mL, and half a metric cup is 125 mL. Divide the full-cup figure by 2 to get the half-cup value.