cup

A cup is a standardized unit of volume measurement commonly used in culinary applications, particularly in English-language recipes. The standard cup measurement varies by region: the US customary cup equals approximately 236.6 milliliters (8 fluid ounces), while the metric cup equals 250 milliliters. Historically, cups were informal measurements based on actual drinking vessels, but modern cooking cups are precise measuring tools designed for consistency in recipe development and execution. Cups are used to measure both dry ingredients (flour, sugar, grains) and liquid ingredients (water, milk, oil), though accuracy varies depending on how ingredients are packed or leveled.

Cups serve as a primary volumetric measurement tool in recipe development and home cooking, particularly in North American and Anglophone cuisines. They are used to portion dry goods such as flour, sugar, rice, and baking ingredients, as well as liquids like milk, water, oil, and vinegar. While less precise than weight-based measurements used by professional chefs and in scientific baking, cups remain the standard for home recipes, cookbook writing, and casual kitchen practice. Proper technique—such as spooning and leveling flour rather than scooping directly—significantly affects measurement accuracy.