One cup is not a universal measurement. The exact milliliter value changes depending on which country the recipe comes from — and using the wrong standard in baking can noticeably affect your results.
US cup = 237 ml. UK cup = 284 ml. Metric cup = 250 ml.
Here is the full breakdown with conversion tables and ingredient weights.
Cup to ML by Country — Quick Reference
| Cup Type | ML Value | Used In |
|---|---|---|
| US Cup | 236.59 ml | United States |
| UK / Imperial Cup | 284.13 ml | United Kingdom |
| Metric Cup | 250 ml | Australia, Canada, NZ |
| US Legal Cup | 240 ml | FDA nutrition labels |
US Cup to ML
Formula: ML = Cups × 236.59
| Cups | ML |
|---|---|
| ¼ cup | 59 ml |
| ⅓ cup | 79 ml |
| ½ cup | 118 ml |
| ¾ cup | 177 ml |
| 1 cup | 237 ml |
| 1½ cups | 355 ml |
| 2 cups | 473 ml |
| 3 cups | 710 ml |
| 4 cups | 946 ml |
Convert instantly using the free ML Converter on mltooz.online.
UK Cup to ML
1 UK Cup = 284.13 ml
| UK Cups | ML |
|---|---|
| ¼ cup | 71 ml |
| ½ cup | 142 ml |
| ¾ cup | 213 ml |
| 1 cup | 284 ml |
| 2 cups | 568 ml |
Metric Cup to ML
1 Metric Cup = 250 ml exactly
| Metric Cups | ML |
|---|---|
| ¼ cup | 62.5 ml |
| ½ cup | 125 ml |
| ¾ cup | 187.5 ml |
| 1 cup | 250 ml |
| 2 cups | 500 ml |
| 4 cups | 1000 ml |
All Three Cup Types — Side by Side
| US Cup | UK Cup | Metric Cup | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 237 ml | 284 ml | 250 ml |
| ½ cup | 118 ml | 142 ml | 125 ml |
| 2 cups | 473 ml | 568 ml | 500 ml |
| 4 cups | 946 ml | 1136 ml | 1000 ml |
The difference between a US cup and a UK cup is 47.5 ml. Over 4 cups that gap reaches 190 ml — nearly one full extra cup.
Common Ingredients — 1 Cup in ML and Grams
| Ingredient | ML | Grams |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 237 ml | 237 g |
| Milk | 237 ml | 244 g |
| All-Purpose Flour | 237 ml | 125 g |
| White Sugar | 237 ml | 200 g |
| Brown Sugar (packed) | 237 ml | 220 g |
| Butter | 237 ml | 227 g |
| Uncooked Rice | 237 ml | 185 g |
| Honey | 237 ml | 340 g |
| Cooking Oil | 237 ml | 218 g |
| Cocoa Powder | 237 ml | 100 g |
For baking, always weigh dry ingredients on a kitchen scale. Scooping flour directly from the bag compresses it and adds 20–30% more than the recipe intends.
For ingredient-specific conversions use the Cups to Grams Converter on mltooz.online.
Measuring Tips
- Liquids: Place the cup on a flat surface and read at eye level
- Flour: Spoon into the cup and level off with a straight edge — never scoop
- Brown sugar: Pack firmly until it holds the cup shape when tipped out
- Always check the recipe’s country before measuring
FAQs
Does 1 cup equal 250 ml?
Only in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand where the metric cup is used. In the US, 1 cup = 237 ml. In the UK, 1 cup = 284 ml.
How many ml is 2 cups?
2 US cups = 473 ml. 2 metric cups = 500 ml. 2 UK cups = 568 ml.
Is a coffee mug the same as 1 cup?
Most standard coffee mugs hold 240–250 ml, which is close to one metric cup (250 ml) but not exact. Use a proper measuring cup for recipes.
How do I convert cups to grams?
It varies by ingredient. Use the free Cups to Grams Converter on mltooz.online — select your ingredient for an instant result.
Why do US and UK cups have different sizes?
The UK imperial cup is based on an older British measurement system. The US adopted its own standardized cup in the 20th century. The two were never aligned, which is why they differ by 47.5 ml.
Conclusion
One cup does not equal the same amount of milliliters everywhere. US = 237 ml. UK = 284 ml. Australia and Canada = 250 ml. Always match your measurement to the recipe’s country of origin.