Converting between ounces (oz) and milliliters (mL) is a common task, whether you’re following a recipe, conducting a science experiment, or just trying to measure something around the house.
So, how many milliliters are in 3 ounces? Roughly, 3 U.S. fluid ounces equals 88.721 milliliters.
It’s important to remember that there are different types of ounces (fluid vs. dry) and different measurement systems (U.S. customary vs. metric). Let’s take a closer look.
Understanding Ounces and Milliliters
To convert ounces to milliliters, it helps to know a little bit about each unit of measurement.
What is an Ounce (oz)?
An ounce is a unit of measurement. It can measure either weight or volume. When measuring weight, one ounce is equal to 28.349523 grams. But we’re focusing on volume today, so we’re interested in fluid ounces.
What is a Milliliter (mL)?
A milliliter is a unit of volume in the metric system. One milliliter is the same as one cubic centimeter. There are 1000 milliliters in a liter.
Measurement Systems: US Customary vs. Metric (SI)
In the United States, we commonly use the US customary system, which includes fluid ounces. Most of the world uses the metric system (SI), which includes milliliters.
The Conversion: 3 US Fluid Ounces to Milliliters
If you’re wondering how to convert 3 U.S. fluid ounces into milliliters, here’s what you need to know.
The Conversion Factor
The magic number for converting U.S. fluid ounces to milliliters is this: 1 U.S. fluid ounce equals 29.5735295625 milliliters.
If you want to convert 3 U.S. fluid ounces, you’ll multiply 3 ounces by 29.5735295625 mL/oz, which equals 88.7205886875 mL.
For most real-world purposes, you can round that to 88.721 mL.
Fluid Ounces vs. Dry Ounces
Be sure you’re working with fluid ounces and not dry ounces. They aren’t the same!
U.S. vs. British Fluid Ounces
Also, it’s worth noting that British fluid ounces aren’t the same as U.S. fluid ounces. One British fluid ounce equals 28.413064262467 milliliters. However, in this article, we’re only talking about U.S. fluid ounces.
Considerations for Accurate Conversions
If you’re trying to convert a weight measurement like ounces to a volume measurement like milliliters, you’ll need to consider the density of the substance you’re measuring.
Here’s the formula:
Volume (mL) = Weight (oz) 28.3495 / Density (oz/mL)
For example, an ounce of water will occupy a different amount of space than an ounce of flour because they have different densities. That’s why measuring by weight is more accurate.
Why measuring by weight is often more accurate
When you’re working with dry ingredients, you’ll often get more accurate results if you measure by weight rather than volume. That’s because density can vary quite a bit depending on how tightly the substance is packed.
Tools for conversion
For accurate measurements, a kitchen scale is your best bet. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, you can use an online conversion tool or calculator. Just remember that these tools will give you an estimate, not an exact measurement.
Putting It All Together
So, to recap, 3 U.S. fluid ounces is about 88.721 milliliters.
Remember, it’s important to know the difference between fluid ounces and dry ounces. And if you’re converting weight to volume, keep in mind that density matters!
For accurate conversions, especially when precision counts, it’s always a good idea to use the right tools, like scales and calculators.