One ounce is equal to approximately 29.5735 milliliters. This conversion between ounces and milliliters is important to know for cooking, baking, medicine dosing, and other applications that require converting between fluid ounce and milliliter measurements.
Quick Summary
- 1 fluid ounce = 29.5735 mL
- 1 mL = 0.033814 fluid ounces
- To convert ounces to mL, multiply ounces by 29.5735
- To convert mL to ounces, divide mL by 29.5735
Converting Ounces to Milliliters
Here are some examples showing how to convert fluid ounces to milliliters:
Whole Ounce Conversions
- 1 fluid ounce = 29.5735 mL
- 2 fluid ounces = 59.147 mL (2 * 29.5735)
- 5 fluid ounces = 147.867 mL (5 * 29.5735)
- 10 fluid ounces = 295.735 mL (10 * 29.5735)
To convert any whole number of fluid ounces to milliliters, simply multiply the number of ounces by 29.5735.
Decimal Ounce Conversions
- 0.5 fluid ounces = 14.7867 mL (0.5 * 29.5735)
- 1.5 fluid ounces = 44.3603 mL (1.5 * 29.5735)
- 2.25 fluid ounces = 66.5441 mL (2.25 * 29.5735)
- 3.75 fluid ounces = 110.9506 mL (3.75 * 29.5735)
To convert a decimal number of fluid ounces to milliliters, multiply the decimal ounce amount by 29.5735.
Milliliter to Ounce Conversion
To convert milliliters to fluid ounces, simply divide the milliliter amount by 29.5735:
- 29.5735 mL = 1 fluid ounce (29.5735 / 29.5735)
- 59.147 mL = 2 fluid ounces (59.147 / 29.5735)
- 88.7205 mL = 3 fluid ounces (88.7205 / 29.5735)
- 473.176 mL = 16 fluid ounces (473.176 / 29.5735)
So in summary, to convert:
- Ounces to mL: Multiply ounces by 29.5735
- mL to ounces: Divide mL by 29.5735
Converting Between Fluid Ounces and Milliliters Table
Here is a table showing some common conversions between fluid ounces and milliliters:
| Fluid Ounces | Milliliters |
|---|---|
| 0.5 oz | 14.79 mL |
| 1 oz | 29.57 mL |
| 2 oz | 59.15 mL |
| 3 oz | 88.72 mL |
| 4 oz | 118.29 mL |
| 5 oz | 147.87 mL |
| 6 oz | 177.44 mL |
| 7 oz | 207.01 mL |
| 8 oz | 236.59 mL |
| 12 oz | 354.88 mL |
| 16 oz (1 pint) | 473.18 mL |
Understanding Fluid Ounces and Milliliters
To understand how to convert between ounces and milliliters, it helps to first understand what exactly these units are measuring.
What is a Fluid Ounce?
A fluid ounce (abbreviated as fl oz or oz fluid) is a unit of volume used in both the imperial and US customary systems of measurement. One fluid ounce is equal to exactly 1⁄128 of a US gallon.
Fluid ounces are commonly used to measure volumes of liquids such as water, juice, oils, etc. Some examples of fluid ounce measurements:
- There are 8 fluid ounces in 1 cup
- A standard soda can contains 12 fluid ounces
- A pint contains 16 fluid ounces
- There are 128 fluid ounces in a gallon
What is a Milliliter?
A milliliter (abbreviated as mL) is a metric unit of volume. It is equal to 1/1000 of a liter. The milliliter is commonly used to measure small amounts of liquids in cooking, medicine, chemistry, and more.
Some examples of milliliter measurements:
- There are 5 milliliters in 1 teaspoon
- There are 15 milliliters in 1 tablespoon
- A standard shot of liquor contains 44 milliliters
- There are 1000 milliliters in 1 liter
So in summary:
- Fluid ounces are an imperial/US customary unit for liquid volume
- Milliliters are a metric unit for liquid volume
Why Convert Between Ounces and Milliliters?
There are a few main reasons why someone may need to convert between fluid ounces and milliliters:
Cooking and Baking
Recipes may list ingredient amounts in fluid ounces or milliliters. To accurately follow the recipe, you need to be able to convert between the units. For example, if a recipe calls for 2 fluid ounces of milk but you only have a measuring cup in milliliters, you need to know that 2 fluid ounces = 59.15 milliliters.
Nutritional Information
Product nutrition labels may list serving sizes in both fluid ounces and milliliters. Being able to convert between the units allows you to compare serving sizes and calculate nutritional information.
Medicine Dosing
Many liquid medications are dosed in milliliters but may be provided with a measuring tool such as an oral syringe or dosing cup marked in fluid ounces. Converting between the units helps ensure proper medicine dosing.
Lab Measurements
Science labs often require accurately measuring liquids in both fluid ounces and milliliters. Being able to convert between the units is critical for experiments, dilutions, preparing solutions, and more.
Consumer Products
Some consumer products like soft drinks, juices, oils, etc. have volume amounts listed in both fluid ounces and milliliters. Converting helps compare product sizes and values.
Common Conversions
Here are some of the most common conversions between fluid ounces and milliliters:
- 1 fluid ounce = 29.5735 mL
- 2 fluid ounces = 59.147 mL
- 8 fluid ounces (1 cup) = 236.588 mL
- 16 fluid ounces (1 pint) = 473.176 mL
- 29.5735 mL = 1 fluid ounce
- 59.147 mL = 2 fluid ounces
- 118.294 mL = 4 fluid ounces
- 236.588 mL = 8 fluid ounces (1 cup)
- 473.176 mL = 16 fluid ounces (1 pint)
- 3,785.412 mL = 128 fluid ounces (1 gallon)
Knowing these common conversions allows you to quickly estimate amounts when converting between fluid ounces and milliliters.
Converting Ounces to Milliliters in Cooking
Being able to convert fluid ounce measurements to milliliters is very useful for cooking. Here are some examples:
Recipe Calls for Fluid Ounces
If a recipe calls for “3 fluid ounces of oil” but your measuring cup is in milliliters, you can quickly convert:
3 fluid ounces x 29.5735 mL/fluid ounce = 88.7205 mL
So you would measure out 88.7205 mL of oil.
Measuring Cup Only Shows Milliliters
If your liquid measuring cup only shows milliliter markings, you can still measure fluid ounce amounts:
To measure 5 fluid ounces:
5 fluid ounces x 29.5735 mL/fluid ounce = 147.8675 mL
So you would measure out 147.8675 mL on your cup.
Dividing Liquid Amounts
Converting between units is also useful when dividing liquid amounts. For example, if a recipe calls for 1/4 cup (2 fluid ounces) of milk but you only have a milliliter measuring spoon, you can convert:
1/4 cup = 2 fluid ounces
2 fluid ounces x 29.5735 mL/fluid ounce = 59.147 mL
So you would measure out 59.147 mL of milk using the milliliter spoon.
Converting Milliliters to Ounces in Cooking
You can also go the other way, converting milliliter amounts to fluid ounces when cooking.
For example:
- A recipe calls for 150 mL of water. To measure using fluid ounces:
- 150 mL x (1 fl oz/29.5735 mL) = 5.07 fluid ounces
- You need to measure out 3 tablespoons (45 mL) of vanilla extract but only have a fluid ounce measuring spoon:
- 45 mL x (1 fl oz/29.5735 mL) = 1.52 fluid ounces
Being able to go both ways – ounces to milliliters and vice versa – allows you to easily use any type of measuring tool when cooking.
Converting Ounces and Milliliters for Medication Dosing
Converting between fluid ounces and milliliters is also very important for measuring liquid medication doses, especially for children.
For example:
- A child’s acetaminophen dose is 5 mL but the dosing cup only shows fluid ounces.
- 5 mL x (1 fl oz/29.5735 mL) = 0.17 fluid ounces
- So you would measure out 0.17 fl oz on the dosing cup.
- The dose is 0.6 fluid ounces but you only have an oral syringe marked in mL:
- 0.6 fl oz x (29.5735 mL/1 fl oz) = 17.74 mL
- So you would measure out 17.74 mL on the syringe.
Being able to go both ways ensures you can give the correct dose using the available measuring tool.
Tips for Converting Ounces and Milliliters
Here are some useful tips when converting fluid ounces to milliliters or vice versa:
- Memorize the main conversion: 1 fluid ounce = 29.5735 mL. This makes it easy to convert any fluid ounce amount to mL.
- When converting fluid ounces to mL, multiply ounces by 29.5735. To go from mL to ounces, divide mL by 29.5735.
- Use a conversion chart or table to quickly look upcommon conversions.
- If you frequently cook with both units, purchase a dual-marked measuring cup or spoons that show both fluid ounces and mL.
- Double check your conversions, especially when measuring medication doses.
- If the ounce or mL amount has many decimal places, round to the nearest hundredthfor simplicity.
- To gain intuition, estimate that 30 mL is approximately 1 fluid ounce.
With practice, converting between these units will become second nature!
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about converting ounces and milliliters:
How many milliliters are in 3.5 ounces?
3.5 fluid ounces x 29.5735 mL/fluid ounce = 103.505 mL
So 3.5 fluid ounces = 103.505 milliliters
How many ounces are in 250 milliliters?
250 mL x (1 fl oz/29.5735 mL) = 8.45 fluid ounces
So 250 milliliters = 8.45 fluid ounces
What’s easier – measuring in cups, fluid ounces, or milliliters?
For simplicity, most home cooks find measuring in cups to be easier than fluid ounces or milliliters. However, fluid ounces allow more precision than cups. Milliliters are ideal for very small measurements. Use whatever units your recipes call for or that you find easiest.
Why are there different types of ounces? How are they different?
There are two main types of ounces:
- Fluid ounces – used to measure liquid volumes like water, juice, etc.
- Ounces (oz) – used to measure weight, like for meats, dry goods, etc. 1 oz by weight = 28.35 grams.
Fluid ounces and regular ounces are different units so cannot be interchanged. Be careful not to confuse them!
Conclusion
In summary, while fluid ounces and milliliters are different units, converting between them is straightforward:
- 1 fluid ounce = 29.5735 mL
- To convert ounces to mL, multiply by 29.5735
- To convert mL to ounces, divide by 29.5735
Being able to convert fluid ounces to milliliters, and vice versa, is an essential skill for cooking, baking, medicine dosing, lab measurements, and any application that requires measuring liquid volumes. With practice, converting these units becomes quick and easy. The key is understanding that while the units are different, the volumes are the same.
