Convert Cooking.Calculator.units.cup_us to Metric Milliliter (ml)

US recipes use US cups, tablespoons, and fluid ounces. European and Australian recipes typically use grams and milliliters. UK recipes often rely on imperial units (UK teaspoons, tablespoons, cups, pints). Key conversions: 1 US cup = 236.588 ml, 1 US tbsp = 14.787 ml, 1 US tsp = 4.929 ml; 1 UK cup = 284 ml, 1 UK tbsp = 17.758 ml, 1 UK tsp = 5.919 ml. Always verify which measurement system a recipe uses.

Volume measurements can vary significantly based on how ingredients are packed, their moisture content, and grain size. For example, a cup of flour can weigh anywhere from 120-150 g depending on how it's measured. Professional bakers weigh ingredients for consistency and better results.

Volume and weight measure different physical properties and cannot be directly converted without knowing the ingredient's density. For example, 1 cup of flour weighs about 120 g, but 1 cup of sugar weighs about 200 g, and 1 cup of water weighs about 240 g. Each ingredient has a different density, so the conversion varies. This tool separates volume and weight conversions to maintain accuracy.

In the US, one stick of butter equals 1/2 cup (118.294 ml), 8 tablespoons, 4 ounces, or about 113 grams. This is a uniquely American measurement—European recipes typically specify butter by weight (grams) or by tablespoons/milliliters when melted.

Dry measuring cups are designed to be filled to the brim and leveled off, while liquid measuring cups have spouts and measurement lines below the rim. Using the wrong type can lead to measurement errors—dry ingredients in liquid cups may be under-measured by 20-30%.

Common baking conversions: 236.588 ml = 1 US cup, 250 ml = 1 metric cup, 200 g = 1 US cup sugar, 225 g = 1 US cup butter. For temperatures: multiply °C by 1.8 and add 32 to get °F. Note that UK imperial measurements differ from US customary measurements. Many bakers keep conversion charts handy for international recipes.

This mainly applies to brown sugar and fresh herbs. 'Packed' means pressing the ingredient firmly into the measuring cup, which can increase the amount by 25-50%. Flour should never be packed—it should be spooned lightly into the cup and leveled.

At high altitudes (over 3000 ft), reduce baking powder by 1/8, increase liquids by 2-4 tbsp, and increase oven temperature by 15-25°F. Humidity affects flour—it absorbs moisture and becomes heavier, so you might need slightly less flour on very humid days.

US measurements: 1 cup = 236.588 ml, 1 tbsp = 14.787 ml, 1 tsp = 4.929 ml, 1 fl oz = 29.574 ml. UK measurements: 1 cup = 284 ml, 1 tbsp = 17.758 ml, 1 tsp = 5.919 ml, 1 fl oz = 28.413 ml. UK units are generally larger; always confirm which system the recipe uses.

Typical errors include confusing tablespoons with teaspoons (3:1 ratio), using liquid cups for dry ingredients, not leveling flour, packing flour into cups, and assuming all 'cups' are the same size internationally. A US cup (236.588 ml) differs from a UK cup (284 ml) and a metric cup (250 ml). When in doubt, weigh ingredients or look up metric conversions.