Quick answer · US fluid measure

How many fluid ounces are in a cup?

The US customary cup is defined as eight US fluid ounces. The word “fluid” matters: these ounces measure volume, not mass.

By GallonMan Editorial Published Updated Editorial process Sources
Answer1 US customary cup = 8 US fluid ouncesUS fluid ounces = US cups × 8
1 cup 8 fl oz 16 tablespoons

Understand the relationship

Visual explanation

Measuring cups often mark 2, 4, 6, and 8 fluid ounces along the side. The 8-fluid-ounce line represents one full US customary cup.

A fluid ounce tells how much space a liquid occupies. A weight ounce tells how heavy something is. Eight fluid ounces of different liquids occupy the same volume but may not weigh the same.

1 cup8 fl oz16 tablespoons

Calculate it

The formula

Use this ruleUS fluid ounces = US cups × 8

Instant converter

Convert while you learn

US customary → US customary

1 US customary cup equals

8 US fluid ounces

Calculated from the canonical unit dataset.

Conversion path 1 × 236.5882365 mL ÷ 29.5735295625 mL

Follow the reasoning

Worked examples

Convert 3 cups to fluid ounces.

3 × 8 = 24

3 cups = 24 US fl oz

Convert ⅔ cup to fluid ounces.

(2 ÷ 3) × 8 = 5⅓

⅔ cup = 5⅓ US fl oz

Convert 20 fluid ounces to cups.

20 ÷ 8 = 2.5

20 US fl oz = 2½ cups

Quick lookup

US customary cup to US fluid ounces chart

US customary cupsUS fluid ounces
0.1251
0.252
0.33333333332.6666666664
0.54
0.756
18
216

Values are generated from the same canonical constants used by the converter. Decimal display may be rounded.

Common mistake

Check the unit and direction

Do not use this rule to convert a recipe’s dry-weight ounces into cups. Flour, sugar, and butter have different densities, so weight-to-volume conversion depends on the ingredient.

Remember it

On a standard US liquid measuring cup, the top line is commonly 8 fluid ounces—the same as 1 cup.

Quick practice

How many fluid ounces are in 2¼ cups?

Accuracy note: Core U.S. liquid relationships and the 231-cubic-inch gallon were checked against NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C. SI definitions were checked against NIST SI Units—Volume. Imperial values were checked against the UK Weights and Measures Act 1985. Values were last checked on . Review the source list.