Convert cups to mL in one click
Type in any number of cups and this calculator gives you the exact millilitre equivalent instantly — no mental math, no rounding guesswork. Whether you are scaling a recipe, measuring a drink, or checking a nutrition label, the result appears the moment you enter a number.
1 US cup = 236.588 mL (rounded to 236.6 mL in most kitchens). The reverse works too — switch the direction in the tool to go from mL back to cups.
Cups to mL quick-reference table
These are the values you will see most often in cooking and baking. All figures use the standard US cup (236.588 mL).
| Cups | Millilitres (mL) |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | 236.6 mL |
| 2 cups | 473.2 mL |
| 5 cups | 1,182.9 mL |
| 10 cups | 2,365.9 mL |
| 25 cups | 5,914.7 mL |
| 50 cups | 11,829.4 mL |
| 100 cups | 23,658.8 mL |
Formula: mL = cups × 236.588. Reverse: cups = mL ÷ 236.588.
How to use this converter
- Enter the number of cups in the input field above.
- The mL result updates automatically — no button to press.
- Need to go the other way? Flip the units to convert mL to cups.
- Copy or note the result, and you are done.
Worked example: 2.5 cups to mL
Imagine a recipe calls for 2.5 cups of broth and your measuring jug only shows millilitres.
- Start with the conversion factor: 1 cup = 236.588 mL.
- Multiply:
2.5 × 236.588 = 591.47 mL. - Result: 2.5 cups ≈ 591 mL (pour just under the 600 mL mark).
The converter above does this arithmetic for any number you enter, including fractions like 0.75 or 1.333.
How the calculation works
The US customary cup is defined as exactly 8 US fluid ounces, which equals 236.5882365 mL by the modern metric definition. The formula in plain words: multiply the number of cups by 236.588.
mL = cups × 236.588Going back to cups? Divide the mL value by 236.588.
cups = mL ÷ 236.588Wait — which cup are you using?
Not all recipes mean the same thing by "cup." Here are the three most common standards:
| Cup type | mL equivalent | Where used |
|---|---|---|
| US customary cup | 236.6 mL | USA (most common globally) |
| Metric cup | 250 mL | Australia, Canada, South Africa |
| US legal cup | 240 mL | FDA nutrition labels |
If your recipe is from an Australian or Canadian cookbook, use 250 mL per cup. Our converter defaults to the US customary cup (236.6 mL) — the most common standard worldwide.
Other ways people ask the same question
People phrase this conversion several different ways, and they all lead to the same math:
- "How many mL in a cup?" — 236.6 mL (US cup).
- "Cup to millilitre conversion" — same formula,
mL = cups × 236.588. - "How many ml is 1/2 cup?" — 0.5 × 236.588 = 118.3 mL.
- "How many ml is 1/4 cup?" — 0.25 × 236.588 = 59.1 mL.
- "Convert fluid ounces to mL" — a closely related liquid volume conversion; 1 fl oz = 29.574 mL.
Quick tips and common mistakes
- Check the recipe origin. Australian recipes use a 250 mL metric cup — that 13.4 mL difference adds up across multiple cups.
- Use a proper liquid measure for liquids. Dry cup measures and liquid cup measures hold the same volume, but liquid jugs let you measure more accurately without spilling.
- Do not confuse cups with tablespoons. 1 cup = 16 tablespoons = 48 teaspoons. If a recipe asks for ¼ cup, that is 4 tablespoons or 59 mL.
- Fractions are fine. Enter 0.333 for ⅓ cup (≈ 78.9 mL) or 0.75 for ¾ cup (≈ 177.4 mL). The calculator handles any decimal.
- Scaling up batches? Multiply first, then convert — or just enter the total cups directly.
Everything is calculated entirely in your browser — nothing you type is sent to any server. Your recipe stays private.
Takeaway: one US cup is always 236.6 mL — use the converter above any time you need the exact figure for any quantity.