mL to Grams Converter
Volume to weight, ingredient-specific, down to the gram.
Converting milliliters to grams is ingredient-dependent. 100 mL of water weighs about 100 g (water's density is nearly 1 g/mL). 100 mL of honey weighs 142 g. 100 mL of olive oil weighs 90 g. 100 mL of flour (if you could somehow pour it like a liquid) would weigh about 52 g, because flour is a low-density powder.
This converter handles the math for 50+ common cooking ingredients, using scientifically-sourced density values from the FAO Database. The tool is most useful when European recipes specify liquids in mL but you need to measure by weight, or when you are converting a volume-based recipe to a precise weight-based format.
For pure liquids (water, milk, juice), mL and grams are approximately interchangeable. The density is close enough to 1.00 that small cooking quantities do not meaningfully differ. For denser liquids (syrups, honey, molasses), grams can be 20 to 40% more than mL, which matters a lot in baking.
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Quick Reference
Common volume to weight conversions for liquids.
| Input | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 100 mL water | 99.8 g | about 100 g |
| 100 mL milk | 102.1 g | slightly heavier than water |
| 100 mL oil | 90.0 g | lighter than water |
| 100 mL honey | 141.7 g | much denser |
| 100 mL maple syrup | 134.2 g | denser than water |
| 240 mL water (US cup) | 237 g | standard cup conversion |
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The Reference
The density of water is 0.998 g/mL at 20C. For cooking purposes, treat it as 1 g/mL. Most cooking liquids fall between 0.9 and 1.4 g/mL in density. Oils are lighter than water (0.9 g/mL). Syrups are heavier (1.3-1.4 g/mL).
For pure liquids in home cooking, the distinction between mL and grams rarely matters. A cup of water is close enough to 240 g. For baking precision with honey, syrups, or alcohol, the difference matters.
The Role of Density in Liquid Conversion
Milliliters measure volume; grams measure weight. The conversion depends on the ingredient's density (mass per unit volume). Water's density is 1.00 g/mL by definition (at 4 Celsius). Most cooking liquids range from 0.9 to 1.4 g/mL depending on composition.
Oils are lighter than water. Olive oil: 0.92 g/mL. Vegetable oil: 0.92 g/mL. Coconut oil (melted): 0.92 g/mL. 100 mL of oil weighs about 92 g, not 100 g. The difference matters in precision baking where fat percentages affect texture.
Syrups and honey are denser than water. Honey: 1.42 g/mL. Maple syrup: 1.33 g/mL. Molasses: 1.37 g/mL. 100 mL of honey weighs 142 g, nearly 50% more than 100 mL of water. This is why honey-based recipes measured by volume often differ from the same recipe in weight.
Our ingredient density database lists all supported liquids with their exact density values. For ingredients not in our list, the gram-per-mL value can usually be found on nutrition labels or food science references.
How to Use
- Choose the direction (mL to g or g to mL).
- Enter the amount.
- Select the ingredient for accurate density conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1 mL always equal to 1 gram?
Only approximately, and only for water. 1 mL of water = 1 g at 4C exactly; 0.998 g at 20C. For other ingredients, it depends on density. 1 mL of honey is 1.42 g. 1 mL of oil is 0.91 g.
Why do European recipes use grams for liquids?
Professional precision. Weighing is more accurate than measuring liquid volume (no issues with meniscus reading or air bubbles). Grams also work seamlessly when a single recipe mixes liquids and solids. Everything on one scale.
How precise are mL-to-gram conversions?
Accurate within 1-2% for most ingredients at room temperature. Temperature affects density slightly (hot oil is less dense than cold oil), but not enough to matter in cooking contexts.
What about alcohol and water mixtures?
Alcohol has density around 0.79 g/mL, significantly less than water. A 50/50 water-alcohol mix has density around 0.92 g/mL. For alcoholic recipes, our standard water conversions may be slightly off. Use the specific ingredient if listed.
Can I use a measuring cup to estimate mL?
Yes for rough cooking. 1 US cup = 240 mL, 1 tablespoon = 15 mL, 1 teaspoon = 5 mL. For precision work, a graduated measuring cylinder or kitchen scale is better.
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