Quick Reference: Liquid Conversion Chart
| mL | Cups | Fl oz | Tbsp | Tsp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ml | 1/48 cup | 0.17 fl oz | 1 tbsp (⅓) | 1 tsp |
| 15 ml | 1/16 cup | 0.5 fl oz | 1 tbsp | 3 tsp |
| 30 ml | ⅛ cup | 1 fl oz | 2 tbsp | 6 tsp |
| 60 ml | ¼ cup | 2 fl oz | 4 tbsp | 12 tsp |
| 80 ml | ⅓ cup | 2.7 fl oz | 5 tbsp + 1 tsp | 16 tsp |
| 120 ml | ½ cup | 4 fl oz | 8 tbsp | 24 tsp |
| 180 ml | ¾ cup | 6 fl oz | 12 tbsp | 36 tsp |
| 240 ml | 1 cup | 8 fl oz | 16 tbsp | 48 tsp |
| 480 ml | 2 cups (1 pint) | 16 fl oz | 32 tbsp | 96 tsp |
| 960 ml | 4 cups (1 quart) | 32 fl oz | 64 tbsp | — |
| 3785 ml | 16 cups (1 gallon) | 128 fl oz | 256 tbsp | — |
How to Use This Calculator
Enter a value in any field — milliliters, cups, fluid ounces, tablespoons, teaspoons, or liters — and all other fields update instantly. This is useful when you need to scale a recipe, convert between metric and US measurements, or figure out how many tablespoons are in a third of a cup.
Common Liquid Conversions in Cooking
The most frequently needed conversions in everyday cooking are: 1 cup = 240ml, 1 tablespoon = 15ml, 1 teaspoon = 5ml, and 1 fluid ounce = 30ml. These are the four values worth memorizing — they come up constantly in both US and metric recipes.
For scaling recipes, the most useful thing to know is the relationship between tablespoons and cups: 16 tablespoons = 1 cup. So ¼ cup is 4 tablespoons, ⅓ cup is 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon, and ½ cup is 8 tablespoons.
Fluid Ounces vs. Weight Ounces
These are completely different units that happen to share the word "ounce." Fluid ounces measure volume — how much space a liquid takes up. Weight ounces measure mass. For water, they happen to be nearly equal: 1 fluid ounce of water weighs about 1.04 ounces. But for other liquids, they diverge significantly. 1 fluid ounce of honey weighs about 1.5 ounces because honey is much denser than water. Always check whether a recipe means fluid ounces (volume) or weight ounces when measuring liquids by ounces.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ml in a cup?
1 US cup = 236.6ml, typically rounded to 240ml in cooking contexts. The metric cup (used in Australia and Canada) is exactly 250ml. For most recipes, the difference between 237ml and 240ml is negligible — use whichever is easier to measure with your equipment.
How many tablespoons in ⅓ cup?
⅓ cup equals 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon (79ml). This is one of the more awkward fractions because it doesn't divide evenly into tablespoons. To measure ⅓ cup without a ⅓ cup measure: use 5 tablespoons and then add 1 teaspoon more.
Is 8 fl oz the same as 1 cup?
Yes — in US measurements, 8 fluid ounces equals 1 cup (236.6ml). This is why an 8 oz glass of water is also described as 1 cup. The conversion 1 cup = 8 fl oz is one of the most reliable in US cooking measurement.
How do I convert a recipe from cups to ml?
Multiply the cup amount by 240 to get approximate milliliters, or by 236.6 for the precise conversion. For example: 1.5 cups × 240 = 360ml. For tablespoons: multiply by 15. For teaspoons: multiply by 5. These three conversions handle almost all liquid measurements in US recipes.
Reading a Liquid Measuring Cup Correctly
Liquid measuring cups are designed to be read at eye level, not from above — looking down at the markings from a standing position causes parallax error that can throw off the reading by a surprising amount, especially with smaller quantities. Set the cup on a flat, level surface, crouch down or lift it to eye level, and read the marking where the liquid's surface (the meniscus) sits, not where it climbs slightly up the sides of the cup.
Do different liquids need different measuring techniques?
Thin liquids like water or milk are straightforward. Thick or sticky liquids like honey, syrup, or oil benefit from lightly greasing the measuring cup first (for honey and syrup) so the full amount pours out rather than sticking to the sides. For very viscous liquids, measuring by weight on a scale is more accurate than volume, since surface tension and stickiness can leave a meaningful amount behind in the cup.
Why does a recipe sometimes list both cups and fluid ounces for the same ingredient?
This is usually just a convenience for readers who are more comfortable with one unit or the other — 1 cup and 8 fl oz are the same US volume, so the recipe is providing a familiar reference point rather than a second measurement.