Kitchen Conversion Chart
Use this kitchen conversion chart as a fast reference when a recipe mixes cups, mL, tablespoons (tbsp), teaspoons (tsp), fluid ounces (fl oz), and liters. It’s especially handy when you’re scaling a recipe, switching between US and metric sources, or trying to keep totals consistent across ingredients.
Quick tip: If you want fewer rounding errors, convert everything to mL first, scale the total, then convert back only at the end.
Common Volume Equivalents
| Unit | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 cup (Metric) | 250 mL |
| 1 cup (US) | 236.588 mL |
| 1 tbsp | 15 mL |
| 1 tsp | 5 mL |
| 1 fl oz (US) | 29.5735 mL |
| 1 L | 1000 mL |
Quick “Start Here” conversions
If the real question is cups and mL, start with these guides first, then use the rest of the chart as quick reference.
- How Many mL Are in a Cup? Use this as your main guide for cup-to-mL answers, practical amounts, and Metric versus US comparisons.
- mL to Cups Converter Use this when the label or carton is metric but your next measuring step is easier in cups.
- Metric vs US Cup: Why Results Differ Use this when the real problem is not the math, but the hidden cup standard.
Open How Many mL Are in a Cup?, mL to Cups Converter, and Metric vs US Cup: Why Results Differ together when recipes keep shifting between cups and metric labels.
Main cups-to-mL checkpoints
| Amount | Metric cup | US cup |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 250 mL | 236.6 mL |
| 2 cups | 500 mL | 473.2 mL |
| 3 cups | 750 mL | 709.8 mL |
| 4 cups | 1000 mL | 946.4 mL |
| 6 cups | 1500 mL | 1419.5 mL |
| 8 cups | 2000 mL | 1892.7 mL |
If you only need one quick answer today, start with cups to mL. It is one of the most common kitchen conversion questions and usually the fastest way to confirm whether your measuring tools match the recipe.
Real-world examples (why this chart matters)
Example 1: Metric vs US cups add up
A recipe calling for 2 metric cups equals 500 mL.
If you treat those as 2 US cups, you get about 473 mL, a difference of ~27 mL, which can change batter thickness or dough hydration.
Example 2: Scaling without rounding drift
If a soup recipe uses 3 cups, convert once:
- 3 US cups ≈ 710.8 mL (3 × 236.588)
Then scale (double it): 1421.6 mL, and only then convert back if you need cups.
Common mistakes (and quick fixes)
- Mixing oz and fl oz: fl oz is volume; oz is weight.
- Using the wrong cup standard: Metric (250 mL) vs US (236.588 mL) can change totals.
- Rounding too early: Convert to mL first, scale, then round at the end.
When to use mL vs cups
- Use mL when the recipe is metric, when you’re scaling, or when accuracy matters.
- Use cups/tbsp/tsp when you’re doing quick everyday cooking and precision isn’t critical.
Printable Mini Chart (fridge card)
- 1 tbsp = 15 mL
- 1 tsp = 5 mL
- 1 fl oz = 29.57 mL
- 1 US cup = 236.588 mL
- 1 Metric cup = 250 mL
- 1 L = 1000 mL
FAQ
Is 1 cup always 250 mL?
No. Many international recipes use 250 mL (metric), while US recipes use about 236.588 mL.
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
In common kitchen practice, 1 cup = 16 tbsp.
How many teaspoons are in a tablespoon?
1 tbsp = 3 tsp.