Cooking Volume Converter
Cooking volume measurements vary significantly between the United States, the United Kingdom, and metric (SI) systems. The US cup, tablespoon, and teaspoon differ from their UK equivalents, and both differ from metric millilitres. A US cup is 236.588 millilitres, while a UK cup is 284.131 millilitres. US and UK tablespoons are also different. These differences matter: following a recipe from a different country without converting measurements can result in incorrect proportions. Most modern recipes in English-speaking countries specify either US or metric units; older recipes may use UK measurements. Converting between volume units is essential for adapting recipes, calculating ingredient quantities, and understanding cooking instructions from different sources. This calculator displays fifteen cooking volume units simultaneously: US and UK teaspoons, tablespoons, fluid ounces, cups, pints, and metric millilitres, centilitres, and litres. Type a value into any field and all others update instantly.
Cooking volume conversion factors
All conversions below use standard cooking measurement definitions, with all units expressed relative to millilitres (mL).
| Unit | Symbol | Millilitres (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| US teaspoon | tsp | 4.92892 |
| US tablespoon | tbsp | 14.78676 |
| US fluid ounce | fl oz | 29.57353 |
| US cup | cup | 236.5882 |
| US pint | pt | 473.17647 |
| US quart | qt | 946.35295 |
| US gallon | gal | 3,785.41178 |
| Millilitre | mL | 1 |
| Centilitre | cL | 10 |
| Litre | L | 1,000 |
| UK teaspoon | tsp | 5.91939 |
| UK tablespoon | tbsp | 17.7582 |
| UK fluid ounce | fl oz | 28.4131 |
| UK cup | cup | 284.131 |
| UK pint | pt | 568.261 |
Cooking volume converter: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between US and UK cooking measurements?
US and UK cooking measurements differ because they use different fluid ounce definitions. A US cup is 236.588 millilitres, while a UK cup is 284.131 millilitres. A US tablespoon is 14.787 millilitres, while a UK tablespoon is 17.758 millilitres. Always check whether a recipe is in US or UK units, particularly for older or international recipes.
How do I convert teaspoons to millilitres?
One US teaspoon equals approximately 4.929 millilitres, while one UK teaspoon equals approximately 5.919 millilitres. For practical cooking, 1 teaspoon is often approximated as 5 millilitres, though this introduces a small error. This calculator uses the precise conversion factors.
Why do cups and tablespoons vary between countries?
Different countries developed their own measurement systems independently before metrication. The United States retained its customary system while most other countries adopted the metric system. The UK uses imperial fluid measurements, which differ from US customary measurements despite historical connection. This created different cup and tablespoon sizes.
Can I use tablespoons as a teaspoon substitute?
One tablespoon equals three teaspoons (approximately 15 millilitres). If a recipe calls for a teaspoon and you only have tablespoons, use one-third of a tablespoon. Similarly, if you need multiple teaspoons, you can use fewer tablespoons: 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon, 6 teaspoons = 2 tablespoons, etc.
What is the metric equivalent of a cup?
One US cup equals 236.588 millilitres (or approximately 237 mL or 0.237 litres). One UK cup equals 284.131 millilitres. For practical cooking, a US cup is often approximated as 240 millilitres or 240 grams (for water). This calculator uses precise conversion factors.
Official sources
- NIST Handbook 44: Specifications, Tolerances, and Other Technical Requirements for Weighing and Measuring Devices.
- NIST Special Publication 330: The International System of Units.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 14 June 2026. See our methodology.