When comparing liquid measurements, it is important to pay attention to the units being used. 4oz and 120ml represent the same amount of liquid, just in different measurement systems. Let’s take a closer look at how these two units, ounces and milliliters, compare.
Quick Answer
Yes, 4 fluid ounces (fl oz) is the same as 120 milliliters (ml). The exact conversion is:
4 fl oz = 118.29 ml
So while not exactly 120 ml, 4 oz and 120 ml are essentially equivalent for most practical purposes. The small difference of 1.71 ml is insignificant for typical liquid measurements.
Ounces and Milliliters Explained
Ounces and milliliters are both units used to measure the volume or capacity of liquids. However, they come from different measurement systems.
Ounces are a unit from the imperial system of measurement which was historically used in nations like the United Kingdom. There are several types of ounces:
- Fluid ounces (fl oz) – used to measure volumes of liquid
- Ounce (oz) – used to measure the mass of dry goods
- Troy ounces (oz t) – used to measure the mass of precious metals
When comparing fluid ounces to milliliters, it’s important to specify that fluid ounces are being used. The fluid ounce is a volume measurement equal to 1⁄128 of a US gallon. There are 8 fluid ounces in 1 cup.
Milliliters, on the other hand, are a metric unit used to measure volume. There are 1000 milliliters in 1 liter. The milliliter is the most commonly used unit for measuring small amounts of liquids in the metric system.
Converting Between Ounces and Milliliters
To convert between fluid ounces and milliliters, we need to use a conversion factor based on how these units relate. Since both units measure volume, the conversion relies on the relative size of the units.
Specifically:
- 1 fluid ounce = 29.5735 milliliters
- 1 milliliter = 0.033814 fluid ounces
So to convert fluid ounces to milliliters, we multiply by 29.5735. To go the other way, from milliliters to fluid ounces, we multiply by 0.033814.
Let’s see some examples of converting between these units:
4 fluid ounces x 29.5735 milliliters per fluid ounce = 118.29 milliliters
120 milliliters x 0.033814 fluid ounces per milliliter = 4.05 fluid ounces
As you can see, when you convert 4 fluid ounces to milliliters, you get 118.29 ml. And when you convert 120 ml to fluid ounces, you get 4.05 fl oz.
4 Ounces and 120 Milliliters in Cooking
In cooking, baking, and mixology, you’ll often see fluid ounces and milliliters used to measure out liquid ingredients like water, milk, or alcohol. Recipes may specify amounts in fluid ounces or milliliters.
Since 4 fluid ounces and 120 milliliters are so close, you can use the two units interchangeably in recipes without noticing much difference. The small deviation between the units will get absorbed when measuring by hand rather than using sensitively calibrated lab equipment.
So if a recipe calls for 4 fl oz of milk, you can use 120 ml instead. Or if you need 120 ml oil, 4 fluid ounces will work just as well. This equivalence allows cooks to effortlessly substitute ounces for milliliters or vice versa.
However, you may need to pay closer attention to the units when measuring very small volumes. For instance, if a recipe requires 1 fl oz, using exactly 30 ml may make a noticeable difference. But for 4 fl oz or 120 ml, the deviation is proportionally much smaller.
Comparing 4 Ounces and 120 Milliliters Visually
To get a visual sense of how 4 fluid ounces and 120 milliliters compare, we can look at examples of 4 fl oz and 120 ml side by side:
| 4 fluid ounces | 120 milliliters |
|---|---|
| 1/2 cup | 1/2 cup |
| Shot glass full of liquid | Small yogurt container |
| Small to-go coffee cup | About 1/3 can of soda |
From these equivalent amounts, you can see that 4 fl oz and 120 ml correspond to commonly used household quantities for drinking, pouring, and mixing. The volume amounts match closely enough that you would have a hard time visually distinguishing between the two units.
When Accuracy Matters
While 4 ounces and 120 milliliters are essentially equal for most purposes, there are some situations where you may need more precision. Examples include:
- Lab experiments involving small liquid volumes
- Measuring medicine doses
- Adding ingredients that are very potent even in tiny amounts
For these uses, the small difference between 4 fluid ounces (118.29 ml) and 120 milliliters could potentially impact your results. So it’s important to pay attention to the units and be as accurate as possible with the conversions.
When high accuracy is needed, use a digital scale that can switch between units or measuring tools like graduated cylinders with different units marked. Don’t depend on rough conversions between ounces and milliliters.
Converting Other Amounts Between Ounces and Milliliters
The process of converting between fluid ounces and milliliters works the same for other amounts besides 4 fl oz and 120 ml. Here are some additional common conversions:
| Fluid Ounces | Milliliters |
|---|---|
| 1 fl oz | 29.57 ml |
| 2 fl oz | 59.15 ml |
| 8 fl oz (1 cup) | 236.59 ml |
| 16 fl oz (1 pint) | 473.18 ml |
To convert any number of fluid ounces to milliliters, multiply by 29.5735 or use an online conversion calculator. To go the other direction, from milliliters to fluid ounces, divide the milliliter amount by 29.5735 or use a calculator.
Why Fluid Ounces and Milliliters are Used
Understanding why fluid ounces and milliliters are commonly used for measuring liquid volumes can help put their relationship in context:
- Fluid ounces are handy for everyday recipes, cooking, and beverage serving sizes in countries like the United States that still use some imperial units.
- Milliliters align with the standardized metric units used for science, medicine, and in most countries around the world.
- Milliliters allow for small, precise measurements down to the thousandth of a liter. Fluid ounces are better adapted for larger volume rough measurements.
- The imperial and metric systems offer overlapping amounts like 4 fl oz and 120 ml that allow for approximate conversions in cooking and everyday applications.
By understanding the different contexts where fluid ounces or milliliters excel, you can better decide when to use each unit or how to convert between them.
Other Equivalent Units
In addition to fluid ounces and milliliters, some other units can also be useful points of comparison:
- 1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 14.787 ml = 0.5 fl oz
- 1 teaspoon (tsp) = 4.93 ml = 0.167 fl oz
- 1 cup = 237 ml = 8 fl oz
- 1 liter (L) = 33.814 fl oz = 1000 ml
So if a recipe calls for 2 tablespoons (tbsp) of milk, you can substitute in 30 ml. Or 1 cup is essentially the same as 240 ml or 8 fl oz. Keeping these common equivalencies in mind helps you adapt cooking measurements across recipes using different units.
Conclusion
While not exactly the same, 4 fluid ounces and 120 milliliters are equivalent for most practical everyday purposes. The small difference between 118.29 ml (4 fl oz) and 120 ml is negligible for cooking, baking, mixing drinks, and other household liquid measurements. You can use the two units interchangeably without significantly impacting your results.
However, for scientific experiments, medicine, or small yet potent ingredients, you may need more precise conversion between units. In those cases, don’t depend on the rough approximation between 4 ounces and 120 milliliters. Use properly calibrated measurement tools designed for the specific units required.
Understanding the relationship between fluid ounces and milliliters allows you to more easily adapt recipes and liquid measurements between different traditions of units. So don’t let mixed units slow you down – with a quick conversion, you can move seamlessly between ounces and milliliters for most needs.