cups

A cup is a standardized unit of volume measurement commonly used in culinary contexts, particularly in American and English-language recipes. The standard cup measures 237 milliliters (or 240 ml in practical cooking contexts), though the metric cup (250 ml) is also used internationally. Cups originated as a practical kitchen tool before becoming a formal measurement standard, and they remain one of the most accessible volume measures for home cooks, alongside tablespoons and teaspoons. Various cup sizes exist historically and regionally—including the Imperial cup (284.13 ml)—which can create variation in recipe outcomes if not standardized.

Cups serve as the primary volume measurement tool in recipes across English-speaking cuisines, particularly American and British cooking. They are used to measure both dry ingredients (flour, sugar, grains) and wet ingredients (liquids, yogurt, oils), with the caveat that measuring techniques differ between the two. In dry measurements, the scoop-and-level method is standard, while wet ingredients are measured at eye level. Cups are also used as informal serving vessels, particularly in beverage and dessert contexts, making them doubly functional in the kitchen.