Milliliter to Cup Converter
Convert milliliters (mL) to cups for US, metric, and Imperial measurements. Get accurate conversions for cooking and baking recipes.
How many cups are in 250 mL?
In US measurements, 250 mL equals approximately 1.06 cups (250 ÷ 236.588 = 1.057). In metric measurements, 250 mL equals exactly 1 cup since a metric cup is defined as 250 mL. In Imperial (UK) measurements, 250 mL equals about 0.88 cups (250 ÷ 284.131 = 0.880). The conversion varies based on which cup standard you use.
What is the difference between US cups and metric cups?
A US cup equals 236.588 mL (8 US fluid ounces), while a metric cup equals exactly 250 mL. This 13.412 mL difference (about 5.7%) can affect recipe results. Most US recipes use US cups, while Australian, New Zealand, and some Asian countries use metric cups. An Imperial (UK) cup is 284.131 mL. Always check which standard your recipe uses for accurate measurements.
How do you convert milliliters to cups?
Divide milliliters by the cup volume: US cups = mL ÷ 236.588, Metric cups = mL ÷ 250, Imperial cups = mL ÷ 284.131. Example: 500 mL to US cups = 500 ÷ 236.588 = 2.11 cups. For quick estimates: 1 US cup ≈ 240 mL, 1 metric cup = 250 mL, 1 Imperial cup ≈ 285 mL. Use this calculator for precise conversions in cooking and baking.
How many mL in 1 cup?
It depends on the cup type: US cup = 236.588 mL (legal) or ~240 mL (customary), Metric cup = 250 mL (exact), Imperial cup (UK) = 284.131 mL. For baking precision, use the exact values. For cooking, rounding is often acceptable: US cup ≈ 240 mL, metric cup = 250 mL. Japanese cup = 200 mL, Canadian cup = 227.3 mL (older recipes). Modern recipes usually specify which standard.
Can I use metric cups for US recipes?
Yes, but expect slight variations. A metric cup (250 mL) is 5.7% larger than a US cup (236.588 mL). For most recipes, this difference is minor. However, in precise baking (cakes, pastries), it can affect texture. Example: A US recipe calling for 2 cups flour (473 mL) would be 500 mL in metric cups, adding 27 mL extra. For best results, convert the recipe or use weight measurements (grams) instead of volume.
What are common milliliter to cup conversions?
Common US cup conversions: 60 mL = 1/4 cup, 80 mL = 1/3 cup, 120 mL = 1/2 cup, 160 mL = 2/3 cup, 180 mL = 3/4 cup, 240 mL = 1 cup, 480 mL = 2 cups, 720 mL = 3 cups, 960 mL = 4 cups. Metric: 62.5 mL = 1/4 cup, 83.3 mL = 1/3 cup, 125 mL = 1/2 cup, 250 mL = 1 cup, 500 mL = 2 cups, 1000 mL (1 L) = 4 cups.
Why do different countries use different cup sizes?
Historical measurement systems evolved independently. The US cup (236.588 mL) derives from US fluid ounces (1 cup = 8 fl oz). The metric cup (250 mL) was created for easy conversion in the metric system (1/4 liter). The Imperial cup (284.131 mL) comes from UK Imperial fluid ounces. Countries standardized to their existing systems. Modern cookbooks often include both volume and weight (grams) to avoid confusion across different measurement standards.