How Many Ounces in a Cup?

This page explains how many ounces are in a cup, including the key differences between US cups and common metric / international cup measurements used in recipes.

Quick Answer

• 1 US cup = 8 US fluid ounces
• 1 metric cup (common in Australia/NZ) = 250 mL ≈ 8.45 US fluid ounces

In most US recipes, “1 cup” means a US customary cup, which equals 8 US fluid ounces (for liquids).

US Cup to Ounces (Liquid)

• 1 US cup = 8 US fluid ounces
• 3/4 US cup = 6 US fluid ounces
• 2/3 US cup ≈ 5.33 US fluid ounces
• 1/2 US cup = 4 US fluid ounces
• 1/3 US cup ≈ 2.67 US fluid ounces
• 1/4 US cup = 2 US fluid ounces

Metric Cup (250 mL) to Ounces

Many recipes in Australia and other metric countries use a 250 mL cup (often called a “metric cup”).

• 1 metric cup = 250 mL ≈ 8.45 US fluid ounces
• 1/2 metric cup = 125 mL ≈ 4.23 US fluid ounces
• 1/4 metric cup = 62.5 mL ≈ 2.11 US fluid ounces

US Cup vs Metric Cup Comparison

Measurement	US Cup	Metric Cup
Cups	1	1
Millilitres (mL)	236.6 mL (approx.)	250 mL
Fluid Ounces (US fl oz)	8 fl oz	≈ 8.45 fl oz

Important Note: Fluid Ounces vs Weight Ounces

In cooking, fluid ounces (fl oz) measure volume, while ounces (oz) can also measure weight. This page refers to fluid ounces for liquids. For dry ingredients (like flour or sugar), weight varies by ingredient and should be measured by grams or a kitchen scale where possible.

Common Uses

• Cooking & recipes: converting between US and metric measurements
• Beverages: cups of water, milk, coffee and juice
• Meal prep: consistent portion sizes

Related Conversions

• How many ounces in a gallon
• How many cups in a gallon
• Millilitres to ounces conversion
• Grams to ounces conversion (weight)

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

• This page is provided for general informational purposes only.
• All conversions are based on standard definitions of US customary and metric measurements.
• For dry ingredients, volume-to-weight conversions vary by ingredient and packing method.
• No guarantees or warranties are provided regarding accuracy for specialised or technical use.
• Users are responsible for confirming measurements required for their specific application.