Sometimes you need to switch between different units of measurement, especially when you’re cooking, baking, or even doing science experiments. One common conversion is milliliters (mL) to fluid ounces (oz). So, how many ounces is 20 mL?
About 0.676 fluid ounces. That’s not much!
This article will define milliliters and fluid ounces, walk you through the conversion formula, and point out a few things that can affect how accurate your conversion is.
Understanding milliliters (mL)
A milliliter is a unit of volume in the metric system. Think of it as a tiny amount of liquid.
A milliliter (mL) equals one cubic centimeter (cc). There are 1000 milliliters in a single liter.
In everyday life, you’ll see milliliters used in a variety of ways, from measuring liquid medications and ingredients in recipes to measuring precise volumes in scientific experiments.
Understanding fluid ounces (oz)
A fluid ounce is a unit of volume in both the Imperial and U.S. systems of measurement. It’s important to keep in mind that fluid ounces measure volume, not mass. So, fluid ounces are different from ounces, which are used to measure how heavy something is.
We often use fluid ounces when we’re measuring out beverages or liquid ingredients for cooking. You’ll also see fluid ounces on product labels.
How to convert 20 mL to fluid ounces: The formula and calculation
If you want to convert milliliters to fluid ounces, here’s the formula you’ll use:
Ounce = mL value 0.03381402265
The key to converting mL to ounces is the conversion factor of 0.03381402265. Just multiply the number of milliliters by that number to arrive at the equivalent number of fluid ounces.
So, in the case of converting 20 mL to fluid ounces, here’s the math:
20 mL 0.03381402265 = 0.676 oz (approximately)
For practical purposes, it’s often best to round the conversion to two or three decimal places, depending on the level of precision needed.
Factors Affecting Conversion Accuracy
While converting 20 mL to fluid ounces is straightforward, several factors can affect the accuracy of conversions in general.
Volume vs. Mass
Volume is the amount of space a substance occupies, while mass is the amount of matter it contains. It’s important to note the difference because “ounce” can refer to both fluid ounces (a measure of volume) and ounces (a measure of weight or mass).
Density Considerations
Converting milliliters (a volume measurement) to ounces (a weight measurement) requires knowing the density of the substance you’re measuring. Density is mass per unit volume, often expressed as grams per milliliter (g/mL) or kilograms per liter (kg/L).
To convert milliliters to ounces (weight), you’ll need to use the following formula:
Weight (oz) = Volume (mL) x Density (g/mL) / 28.35
The different densities of water, milk, and oil will affect the conversion from mL to weight in oz. For example, 20 mL of oil will weigh a different amount than 20 mL of water.
Temperature Effects
Temperature can also affect the density of liquids, and therefore, the conversion accuracy. For precise measurements, consider temperature variations.
How to use these conversions
Cooking and baking
The success of many recipes hinges on precise measurements, so it’s important to be exact. If you’re converting units of liquid, a kitchen scale is a great tool.
For cooking, measuring by weight is often more accurate than measuring by volume.
Scientific and medical contexts
In science and medicine, it’s crucial to be exact when you’re measuring ingredients for experiments or calculating medication dosages. To get the most accurate conversions, use tools like graduated cylinders or pipettes.
Final Thoughts
So, to recap, 20 milliliters is about 0.676 fluid ounces. Keep that number in mind when you need to convert from metric to US customary units.
Also, remember that volume and mass are two different things. If you’re trying to figure out how much something weighs based on its volume, you have to consider its density, too.
Accurate measurements are essential for cooking, chemistry, and many other applications. Understanding conversions like this will help you get the right result every time.