Explanation
Cups, spoons and millilitres
Convert recipe volumes between US, Imperial and metric kitchen measures. Each cup, pint and spoon is named by its system because a US cup, a metric cup and an Imperial pint are all different sizes.
y = x × k
| x | value in the unit you convert from |
|---|---|
| k | conversion factor: millilitres per source unit ÷ millilitres per target unit |
| y | value in the unit you convert to |
1 US cup to millilitres
| Value | 1 |
|---|---|
| From | US cups |
| To | Millilitres (mL) |
| Result | 236.5882365 mL |
1 US cup = 236.5882365 mL
1 metric cup to millilitres
| Value | 1 |
|---|---|
| From | Metric cups (250 mL) |
| To | Millilitres (mL) |
| Result | 250 mL |
1 metric cup = 250 mL
1 Australian tablespoon to millilitres
| Value | 1 |
|---|---|
| From | Australian tablespoons (20 mL) |
| To | Millilitres (mL) |
| Result | 20 mL |
1 AU tbsp = 20 mL
Diagram of this result
The marker shows the entered volume on a scale in the source unit; the scale below it is drawn in the target unit, so the reading under the marker is the answer.
The answer and the steps state both values with their unit symbols.
Definitions and limits
A US cup is exactly 236.5882365 mL and a metric cup is 250 mL. A teaspoon is 5 mL, a tablespoon 15 mL and an Australian tablespoon 20 mL. An Imperial pint (568.26 mL) is larger than a US pint (473.18 mL). Answers are shown to six significant figures.
Common mistakes
These are volumes, not weights: a cup of flour and a cup of sugar weigh different amounts, so use a cup-to-gram converter for that. Do not treat an Australian tablespoon as a standard 15 mL tablespoon.
How many millilitres are in a cup?
A US cup is about 236.6 mL and a metric cup is exactly 250 mL. One Australian tablespoon is 20 mL, four metric teaspoons.
References
NIST SP 811, Guide for the Use of the International System of Units, including its conversion factors: https://www.nist.gov/pml/special-publication-811. Metric cup and spoon sizes follow the common 250 mL, 5 mL, 15 mL and 20 mL definitions; check which one your recipe means.