Updated 28 July 2026 · Written by Sofia Romano
A US cup holds about 237 milliliters, while a metric cup, used in Australia and much of the world, is 250 milliliters. The difference is small but can matter in baking, so check which cup a recipe uses, or measure liquids in milliliters for precision.
US cup = about 237 ml. Metric cup = 250 ml. UK recipes often use 250 ml too.
US vs Metric Cups
A US cup is 236.6 milliliters, usually rounded to 237 ml. A metric cup is a round 250 milliliters. For most cooking the difference is negligible, but for precise baking it can add up across several cups.
Measure Liquids in Milliliters
For accuracy, a liquid measuring jug marked in milliliters removes the ambiguity between cup standards, especially when following recipes from different countries.
Quick Reference
| Cup standard | Milliliters |
|---|---|
| US cup | ~237 ml |
| Metric cup | 250 ml |
| 1/2 US cup | ~118 ml |
| 1/4 US cup | ~59 ml |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a cup 240 ml or 250 ml?
A US cup is about 237 ml, often rounded to 240 ml, while a metric cup is 250 ml. Check which standard your recipe uses.
How many ml in a UK cup?
UK recipes commonly use a 250 ml metric cup, though older recipes may use different measures.
