Convert 1 cup to mL
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
1 cup = 236.588 milliliters (mL)
Explanation (Approx. 300 Words):
When converting from cups to milliliters (mL), it’s essential to understand that cups are a unit of volume commonly used in the United States for cooking and measuring liquids, while milliliters are part of the metric system, which is used more universally in science and internationally.
In the United States customary system:
- 1 US cup is defined as 8 fluid ounces (fl oz).
- Each US fluid ounce is approximately 29.5735 mL.
So, the calculation goes like this: 1 cup=8 fl oz×29.5735 mL/fl oz=236.588 mL1 \text{ cup} = 8 \, \text{fl oz} \times 29.5735 \, \text{mL/fl oz} = 236.588 \, \text{mL}
This exact value is widely accepted in recipes, laboratory measurements, and unit conversion tools.
It’s important to note that there are different “cups” used in different countries:
- US customary cup = 236.588 mL
- UK (imperial) cup = 284 mL
- Metric cup (commonly used in Australia, Canada, New Zealand) = 250 mL
For most practical purposes—especially in the US—you will use the 236.588 mL figure.
This conversion is especially important when dealing with international recipes or scientific work where precision is required. For example, if a recipe from an American website calls for 1 cup of milk, and you’re using a metric measuring jug, you’d need to measure out 236.6 mL (rounded) to be accurate.
In conclusion, knowing how to convert between cups and milliliters is useful in cooking, science, and international travel. Always ensure you know which “cup” a source is referring to, especially when accuracy is critical.