Millilitres to Fluid Ounces: The Complete Guide
Millilitres (mL) and fluid ounces (fl oz) are both used for liquid volume in cooking, drinks, medicine, and cosmetics. As with gallons, there are two types of fluid ounce: US (29.574 mL) and Imperial/UK (28.413 mL). Most online recipes and product labels use the US fluid ounce unless stated otherwise.
The Conversion Formulas
US fl oz = mL ÷ 29.5735
UK fl oz = mL ÷ 28.4131Drink Size Reference (US fl oz)
- 30 mL = 1.01 fl oz (single espresso shot)
- 44 mL = 1.5 fl oz (standard US spirits shot)
- 118 mL = 4 fl oz (small wine pour)
- 148 mL = 5 fl oz (standard wine pour)
- 355 mL = 12 fl oz (standard US soda can)
- 473 mL = 16 fl oz (US pint/tall coffee)
- 750 mL = 25.4 fl oz (wine bottle)
Medicine and Cosmetics
Medicine bottles in the US often show mL and fl oz on the same label — 5 mL (1 teaspoon), 15 mL (1 tablespoon), 240 mL (8 fl oz / 1 cup). Cosmetics and perfumes are frequently sold in fl oz in the US but mL internationally — knowing both helps when buying online.
US vs UK Fluid Ounce
The difference is small (~4%) but worth knowing: a 500 mL bottle is 16.9 US fl oz but 17.6 UK fl oz. Most recipes and product listings default to US fl oz unless the source is British.
Convert any volume instantly: Free mL to fl oz converter