A metric cup is 250 milliliters.
Metric cups to Cubic Centimeters Converter — metric cup to cm3
Convert Metric cup (metric cup) to Cubic Centimeter (cm3) using the exact conversion factor (1 metric cup = 250 cubic centimeter). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Metric cups to Cubic Centimeters 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.
Cubic metric volume unit.
Result = input x 0.00025 / 1e-6.
Volume uses the cubic meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Metric cups to Cubic Centimeters
Metric cup and Cubic Centimeter 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. Metric cup is most often used for recipe and cooking measurement in metric-using english-speaking countries.
Formula
cubic centimeters = metric cups × 250
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 metric cup equals 0.00025 base units, and 1 cubic centimeter equals 0.000001 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct metric cup-to-cubic centimeter factor of 250.
Simple example
1 metric cup × 250 = 250 cm3
1 metric cup = 250 cubic centimeters.
Real-world example
10 metric cup × 250 = 2,500 cm3
10 metric cups = 2,500 cubic centimeters.
Conversion table
| Metric cup (metric cup) | Cubic Centimeter (cm3) |
|---|---|
| 1 metric cup | 250 cm3 |
| 5 metric cup | 1,250 cm3 |
| 10 metric cup | 2,500 cm3 |
| 25 metric cup | 6,250 cm3 |
| 50 metric cup | 12,500 cm3 |
| 100 metric cup | 25,000 cm3 |
Reverse conversion: Cubic Centimeter to Metric cup
250 cm3 × 0.004 = 1 metric cup
250 cubic centimeters = 1 metric cups.
metric cups = cubic centimeters × 0.004
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Cubic Centimeter to Metric cup.
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.
Understanding the Cubic Centimeter (cm3)
Cubic metric volume unit.
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 cubic centimeters are in 1 metric cup?
1 metric cup equals 250 cubic centimeters, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert metric cup to cubic centimeter?
Multiply the metric cup value by 250. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert cubic centimeter back to metric cup?
Use the reverse factor: 1 cubic centimeter equals 0.004 metric cups. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
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).
What is a cubic centimeter?
Cubic Centimeter (cm3) is a unit of volume.
Is the metric cup to cubic centimeter 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 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.
Where is the metric cup still used today?
Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada (recipes and cooking measurement)