mL to Cups Converter
Convert milliliters to metric cups — 250 mL to the cup. Results update as you type; exact factors shown.
One milliliter is 0.004 cup (metric) — see the exact factor, not a rounded rule of thumb.
How the ml to cups converter works
Volumes convert through the liter (exactly 1 dm³). The US gallon is exactly 3.785411784 L (231 cubic inches); the imperial gallon is exactly 4.54609 L. A US fluid ounce is 29.5735 mL, an imperial fluid ounce 28.4131 mL; a US pint is 16 US fl oz, an imperial pint 20 imperial fl oz.
The US uses customary units (US gallon, short ton, °F) in daily life; NIST SP 811 gives the exact SI factors.
Common volume conversions
| From | To | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 50 mL | 0.2 cup | milliliters to cup (metric) |
| 100 mL | 0.4 cup | milliliters to cup (metric) |
| 125 mL | 0.5 cup | milliliters to cup (metric) |
| 200 mL | 0.8 cup | milliliters to cup (metric) |
| 250 mL | 1 cup | milliliters to cup (metric) |
| 300 mL | 1.2 cup | milliliters to cup (metric) |
| 375 mL | 1.5 cup | milliliters to cup (metric) |
| 500 mL | 2 cup | milliliters to cup (metric) |
| 600 mL | 2.4 cup | milliliters to cup (metric) |
| 750 mL | 3 cup | milliliters to cup (metric) |
| 1,000 mL | 4 cup | milliliters to cup (metric) |
| 2,000 mL | 8 cup | milliliters to cup (metric) |
Units in this converter and their exact factors
| Unit | Symbol | One unit in liters |
|---|---|---|
| milliliter | mL | 0.001 liter |
| liter | L | 1 liter |
| cubic meter | m³ | 1,000 liter |
| teaspoon (metric) | tsp | 0.005 liter |
| tablespoon (metric) | tbsp | 0.015 liter |
| cup (metric) | cup | 0.25 liter |
| US fluid ounce | US fl oz | 0.0295735296 liter |
| US cup | US cup | 0.2365882365 liter |
| US pint | US pt | 0.473176473 liter |
| US gallon | US gal | 3.785411784 liter |
| imperial fluid ounce | imp fl oz | 0.0284130625 liter |
| imperial pint | imp pt | 0.56826125 liter |
| imperial gallon | imp gal | 4.54609 liter |
| cubic foot | ft³ | 28.316846592 liter |
FAQFrequently asked questions about volume conversion
How many mL in a cup?
250 mL in a metric cup, used in Australia and New Zealand. A US customary cup is 236.6 mL and a US legal cup 240 mL.
What is 500 mL in cups?
Two metric cups.
Does the cup size matter in baking?
For liquids, rarely. For flour and sugar the 5% difference between a metric and a US cup compounds across a recipe, so follow one system throughout.
What is a half cup?
125 mL.
Why does the US have two cups?
The customary cup is 236.588 mL; the legal cup used on nutrition labels was rounded to 240 mL.
Where these figures come from
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure, 9th edition) — definitions of the base and derived units.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units — the exact conversion factors used here.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) — United States's national measurement authority.
Last checked: September 2026. Conversion factors are fixed by definition and do not change with tax years or regulations.