A standard cup of soup can vary in volume depending on the type of cup used. However, in the United States, a standard measuring cup holds 8 fluid ounces or 240 ml. So a standard cup of soup would be 8 oz or 240 ml.
Typical Cup Sizes
There are several common cup sizes used for measuring soup:
- 8 oz cup – This is the standard US measuring cup size and equals 1 cup.
- 12 oz cup – Larger cup size, equals 1.5 US cups.
- 16 oz cup – Extra large cup size, equals 2 US cups.
In the US customary system, 1 cup equals exactly 8 fluid ounces. However, in everyday use, cups can range in size. The most common sizes are:
| Cup Size | Fluid Ounces | Milliliters |
| Teacup | 4-6 oz | 120-180 ml |
| Coffee cup | 8-12 oz | 240-360 ml |
| Soup bowl | 16-20 oz | 480-600 ml |
As you can see, cups used for drinking hot beverages like tea and coffee tend to be smaller, in the 4-12 oz range. Bowls and mugs used for soup are generally larger, between 16-20 oz.
Factors Affecting Cup Size
Several factors impact the size and volume of a standard soup cup:
- Individual cups vs bowls – Cup sizes for an individual portion are generally 8-12 oz. Larger bowls for multiple servings can range from 16-20 oz.
- Soup cup material – Ceramic mugs hold less than oversized plastic or styrofoam soup cups.
- Food service establishment – Fast food chains may use smaller 4-6 oz cups. Restaurants might serve 12-16 oz bowls.
- Country – Cup sizes vary slightly in countries using the metric system rather than US customary units.
- Personal preference – Some people prefer large 20 oz soup mugs or bowls.
The intended use and individual preferences can impact the size of soup cup used. But the standard US measuring cup size is 8 fluid ounces.
Typical Serving Sizes
Besides cup size, the actual amount of soup served per portion can vary too. Here are some typical soup serving sizes:
- Soup side – 4-6 oz cup.
- Appetizer soup – 6-8 oz cup.
- Entree soup – 8-12 oz bowl.
- Stew or chili – 10-16 oz bowl.
- Soup bar – 12-16 oz bowl.
Serving sizes depend on the role of the soup in the meal. A side soup may be just 4-6 oz, while a hearty stew as the entree could be 16 oz or more.
Factors Affecting Serving Size
Just like cup sizes, serving sizes for soup can vary based on several factors:
- Soup type – Hearty chunks and stews warrant larger portions than broth-based soups.
- Meal role – Side soups are smaller than soup as the main dish.
- Establishment – Soup bars allow for customizable, large servings.
- Consumer hunger – Customers may request larger portions if very hungry.
- Nutritional needs – Smaller servings for calorie-conscious diners vs larger portions for athletes.
The combination of cup size and serving volume gives the total amount of soup. But customer needs, soup style, and menu purpose all impact final serving sizes.
Common Soup Serving Sizes
Here are some typical soup serving sizes in homes and restaurants:
| Soup Type | Serving Size |
| Chicken Noodle Soup | 1 cup, 8 fl oz |
| Tomato Soup | 1 cup, 8 fl oz |
| Clam Chowder | 1.5 cups, 12 fl oz |
| Minestrone Soup | 1.5 cups, 12 fl oz |
| Beef Stew | 2 cups, 16 fl oz |
| Lentil Soup | 1.5 cups, 12 fl oz |
As you can see light broth soups are typically 1 cup or 8 oz. Heartier soups and stews range from 1.5 to 2 cups, or 12-16 oz. Soup bars may allow even larger customizable servings.
Factors Impacting Nutrition Info
Nutrition information for soups is usually based on a standard serving size. But nutrition can vary based on:
- Ingredients – More vegetables, grains, or lean protein boosts nutrition.
- Preparation – Added salt, fat, or sugars impacts healthfulness.
- Serving size – Larger portions increase calories, carbs, etc.
- Dilution – Adding water or stock stretches and lowers nutrients.
When evaluating the nutrition of soups, look at the serving size and ingredients. More concentrated, hearty soups with lots of veggies and lean protein tend to be more nutritious.
Comparing Common Soup Nutrition
To compare the nutrition of different soup types, here is the breakdown for 1 cup servings:
| Soup | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
| Chicken Noodle | 80 | 2g | 10g | 6g |
| Tomato Soup | 170 | 6g | 15g | 6g |
| Clam Chowder | 190 | 9g | 19g | 15g |
| Minestrone | 110 | 2g | 15g | 4g |
Lower calorie broth-based soups like chicken noodle have less fat and carbs. Cream-based soups like tomato and clam chowder can have more calories from fat. Hearty minestrone has more carbs from veggies and beans but less fat.
Cups to Ounces Conversion
To calculate soup servings in ounces and milliliters, use these approximate conversions:
- 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces
- 1 fluid ounce = 30 milliliters
- 1 cup = 240 milliliters
- 16 ounces = 2 cups
- 24 ounces = 3 cups
So a 16 oz bowl of soup equals approximately 2 US cups or 480 ml. A 24 oz soup bowl would be around 3 cups or 720 ml.
Metric Conversions
In countries using the metric system, soup servings are measured in milliliters (ml) rather than fluid ounces:
- 250 ml = 1 metric cup
- 500 ml = 2 cups
- 750 ml = 3 cups
A standard 275-300 ml soup bowl is roughly equivalent to 1 US cup or 8 fluid oz. So a 500 ml bowl would equal about 2 US cup servings of soup.
Soup Serving Tips
To manage portions when serving soup:
- Use measuring cups for accurate portioning.
- Check nutrition info for serving sizes.
- Select smaller bowls for lighter soups.
- Use larger bowls for stews and chili.
- Offer refills rather than oversize portions.
Adhering to standard cup sizes helps control portions. But allow some flexibility in serving methods and sizes to suit preferences.
Standard Cup Definition
In summary, the standard US cup size used for measuring soup is 8 fluid ounces. This equals approximately:
- 240 ml volume
- 1/16 of a US gallon
- Half a US pint
- 19.2 cubic inches volume
The 8 oz US measuring cup has become the standard for recipes and food measurement. Knowing the official US cup size helps ensure consistency in soup recipes and serving sizes.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about standard soup cup sizes:
How many ounces in a bowl of soup?
A typical soup bowl holds 16-20 oz, or 2 to 2.5 cups. Hearty stews can be 24 oz or more.
What’s the size of a cup of soup at a restaurant?
Restaurant soup cup sizes are often 8-12 oz. Soup bowls may range from 12-16 oz. Endless soup salad bars offer even larger customizable portions.
How much soup equals 8 oz?
Using a standard 8 oz measuring cup, the amount of soup that fills the cup up to the brim equals 8 fluid ounces or 1 US cup.
How many calories in 8 oz of soup?
Calories in 8 oz of soup can range from 80 calories for a broth-based soup up to 190 calories for a cream or cheese-based soup.
Is a bowl bigger than a cup?
Yes, the average soup bowl holds 16-24 oz, which equates to 2-3 standard 8 oz cup sizes.
Conclusion
In summary, the standard US measuring cup used for soups and recipes is 8 fluid ounces. This equals approximately 240 ml. However, cup and bowl sizes can vary from 4 oz teacups up to 20 oz oversized soup mugs. Serving sizes also range depending on soup type, meal purpose, and customer preferences. But following standard US measuring cups for recipes helps provide consistency in taste and nutrition.
