The cups to mL factor
One US customary cup equals 236.588 milliliters, so to convert cups to milliliters you multiply by 236.588. For example, 2 cups × 236.588 = 473.18 mL. Note this is the US cup; a metric cup is 250 mL. Need the reverse? Use the mL to cups calculator.
Cup sizes differ by country, and that is where most recipe errors start. The US customary cup is 236.588 mL, the US legal cup used on nutrition labels is 240 mL, the metric cup in Australia and New Zealand is 250 mL, and the old UK cup was 284 mL. Measuring a US recipe with a 250 mL metric cup adds about 5.7% to every wet ingredient.
For the same task from a slightly different angle, try the oz to cups calculator.
How to use this calculator
Enter a volume in US cups and the converter instantly shows the equivalent in milliliters, rounded to two decimals — perfect for following US recipes with metric measuring tools. Just multiply cups by 236.588.
For small amounts, work from the sub-units: 1 US cup is 16 tablespoons or 8 US fluid ounces, so 1 tablespoon is 14.79 mL and 1 fluid ounce is 29.57 mL. A quarter cup is 4 tablespoons, or 59.15 mL.
The same numbers feed straight into the cups to grams calculator.
Cups to mL reference table
Common conversions:
| US cups | Milliliters |
|---|---|
| 0.25 cup | 59.15 mL |
| 0.5 cup | 118.29 mL |
| 1 cup | 236.59 mL |
| 2 cups | 473.18 mL |
| 4 cups | 946.35 mL |
Measuring tip: read a liquid jug at eye level at the bottom of the meniscus, and fill dry cups then level them off with a straight edge. The 473.18 mL figure for 2 cups holds either way, but a heaped dry cup can easily run 10–15% over.
Once that is settled, the oz to mL calculator takes care of the next part.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I convert cups to mL?
- Multiply US cups by 236.588. For example, 2 cups × 236.588 = 473.18 mL.
- How many mL are in a cup?
- One US customary cup is 236.588 mL. A metric cup is 250 mL.
- What is 2 cups in mL?
- 2 US cups equals about 473.18 mL.
- Is this a US cup or a metric cup?
- It uses the US customary cup (236.588 mL), not the 250 mL metric cup.
- Does the cup conversion work for dry ingredients?
- A cup is a unit of volume, so a cup of flour and a cup of water both occupy 236.588 mL — but they weigh completely different amounts. Use millilitres for liquids; for dry ingredients you usually want grams, which depends on the specific ingredient.