A US customary cup is 236.5882365 milliliters.
Cups to Metric cups Converter — cup to metric cup
Convert Cup (cup) to Metric cup (metric cup) using the exact conversion factor (1 cup = 0.946352946 metric cup). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Cups to Metric cups converter
Converter
Volume Converter
Convert metric, US customary, imperial, cooking, dry, and industrial volume units.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
A metric cup is 250 milliliters.
Result = input x 0.0002365882365 / 0.00025.
Volume uses the cubic meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Cups to Metric cups
Cup and Metric cup appear side by side at fuel pumps and on beverage labels, since the US measures liquids in gallons while most of the world uses liters. Cup is typically associated with united States (recipes and cooking measurement), while Metric cup is typically associated with australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada (recipes and cooking measurement).
Formula
metric cups = cups × 0.946352946
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 cup equals 0.0002365882365 base units, and 1 metric cup equals 0.00025 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct cup-to-metric cup factor of 0.946352946.
Simple example
1 cup × 0.946352946 = 0.946352946 metric cup
1 cup = 0.946352946 metric cups.
Real-world example
10 cup × 0.946352946 = 9.46352946 metric cup
10 cups = 9.46352946 metric cups.
Conversion table
| Cup (cup) | Metric cup (metric cup) |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | 0.946352946 metric cup |
| 5 cup | 4.73176473 metric cup |
| 10 cup | 9.46352946 metric cup |
| 25 cup | 23.65882365 metric cup |
| 50 cup | 47.3176473 metric cup |
| 100 cup | 94.6352946 metric cup |
Reverse conversion: Metric cup to Cup
0.946352946 metric cup × 1.056688209 = 1 cup
0.946352946 metric cups = 1 cup.
cups = metric cups × 1.05668820943
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Metric cup to Cup.
Cup vs. Metric cup
| Aspect | Cup | Metric cup |
|---|---|---|
| Family | US customary unit (culinary) | Non-SI unit (culinary, metric countries) |
| Typical use | US recipe and cooking measurement | Recipe and cooking measurement in metric-using English-speaking countries |
| Where it's used | United States (recipes and cooking measurement) | Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada (recipes and cooking measurement) |
Understanding the Cup
Cup (cup) measures volume. The US customary cup used in cooking is defined as exactly 240 milliliters (a rounded culinary standard, not the older 236.588 mL legal cup). It is classified as a US customary unit (culinary).
Where it's used: United States (recipes and cooking measurement)
Cooking cup vs. legal US cup. US recipes commonly round the cup to 240 mL for convenience, while the precise legal US cup (used to derive fluid ounces, pints, etc.) is 236.588 mL — a small but sometimes noticeable difference in precise baking.
Uses of the Cup today
- US recipe and cooking measurement
- Nutrition labeling serving sizes
- Baking, where volume-based flour/sugar measurement is still common in the US
History of the Cup
The cup as a cooking measure grew out of household and community cookbook conventions in 19th-century America, standardizing what had been ad hoc measurements ('a teacup of flour') into a fixed volume.
The US FDA uses a rounded 240 mL 'metric cup' for nutrition labeling purposes, distinct from the slightly smaller legal/customary cup (236.588 mL, exactly 1/16 of a US gallon) used elsewhere.
Historical origin. Cup was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Metric cup
Metric cup (metric cup) measures volume. The metric cup used in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Canada is defined as exactly 250 milliliters. It is classified as a Non-SI unit (culinary, metric countries).
Where it's used: Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada (recipes and cooking measurement)
Metric cup vs. US cup. The metric cup (250 mL) is about 4% larger than the US cooking cup (240 mL) — small for most recipes, but worth checking when following a recipe from a different country.
Uses of the Metric cup today
- Recipe and cooking measurement in metric-using English-speaking countries
- Baking and portion measurement
History of the Metric cup
As Commonwealth countries metricated through the 20th century, cookbook publishers and standards bodies adopted a round 250 mL 'metric cup' so recipes could use a convenient, easily-scaled volume rather than the US's 240 mL or older imperial teacup conventions.
Historical origin. Metric cup was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Cup — sources
- US FDA — Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed — Uses the 240 mL rounded cup for nutrition labeling.
Metric cup — sources
- National Measurement Institute (Australia) — Kitchen measures — Documents the 250 mL metric cup standard.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many metric cups are in 1 cup?
1 cup equals 0.946352946 metric cups, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert cup to metric cup?
Multiply the cup value by 0.946352946. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert metric cup back to cup?
Use the reverse factor: 1 metric cup equals 1.056688209 cups. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a cup?
Cup (cup) measures volume. The US customary cup used in cooking is defined as exactly 240 milliliters (a rounded culinary standard, not the older 236.588 mL legal cup). It is classified as a US customary unit (culinary).
What is a metric cup?
Metric cup (metric cup) measures volume. The metric cup used in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Canada is defined as exactly 250 milliliters. It is classified as a Non-SI unit (culinary, metric countries).
Is the cup to metric cup conversion exact?
Yes. The metric cup used in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Canada is defined as exactly 250 milliliters. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
What is the difference between cooking cup vs. legal us cup?
US recipes commonly round the cup to 240 mL for convenience, while the precise legal US cup (used to derive fluid ounces, pints, etc.) is 236.588 mL — a small but sometimes noticeable difference in precise baking.
Where is the cup still used today?
United States (recipes and cooking measurement)