CC to mL Converter
Convert cubic centimeters (cc) to milliliters (mL) and other common volume units in one step. Because 1 cc equals exactly 1 mL by SI definition, the number never changes - only the label does. This calculator also converts to liters, US teaspoons, tablespoons, and fluid ounces, works in both directions (enter mL to get cc), and shows a reference table of everyday volumes so you can cross-check any measurement instantly.
Why 1 cc always equals 1 mL
The cubic centimeter (cc or cm3) and the milliliter (mL) are defined to be exactly equal under the International System of Units (SI). One milliliter is one-thousandth of a liter, and a liter is defined as the volume of a cube that is exactly 10 centimeters on each side. That cube has a volume of 10 x 10 x 10 = 1000 cm3, so 1 liter = 1000 cm3 and therefore 1 cm3 = 1 mL. This is not an approximation - it is an exact, permanent definition. Because of this, "cc" and "mL" are completely interchangeable. Switching between them changes only the label, never the amount of liquid.
Where cc and mL appear in everyday life
Medicine is the context where most people encounter the cc label. Syringes, IV bags, and oral liquid medications use both cc and mL, sometimes on the same device. A typical 1 mL insulin syringe is marked in 0.01 mL (= 0.01 cc) increments. In cooking, recipes almost always use mL rather than cc, though a measuring cup graduated in mL reads identically to one graduated in cc. Automotive engineering is the other major context: engine displacement is measured in cubic centimeters (a "2000 cc engine" is also a 2000 mL or 2 L engine), and oil change quantities like 4000 cc are the same as 4 liters. In scientific laboratories, cc and mL appear interchangeably in glassware markings and experimental protocols.
How to convert cc to other volume units
Because cc = mL, all other conversions are simply mL conversions. To get liters, divide the cc value by 1000. For US teaspoons, divide by 4.92892 (the exact NIST definition of a US customary teaspoon). For US tablespoons, divide by 14.7868 (three teaspoons). For US fluid ounces, divide by 29.5735. For UK (imperial) fluid ounces, divide by 28.4131. These factors are fixed constants, not rounded approximations, so you can convert any direction by multiplying or dividing. The reference table above lists common everyday volumes to give you an intuitive feel for different cc/mL quantities.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most frequent error is confusing US and UK fluid ounce conversions: 1 US fl oz = 29.5735 mL, while 1 UK imperial fl oz = 28.4131 mL - a difference of about 4%, which matters for medication dosing. A second mistake is treating cc as something different from mL; some older medical texts and engineering documents use cc exclusively, while scientific literature often uses mL, but they are the same thing. A third pitfall is confusing liquid mL with grams: mL measures volume, grams measure mass. For water at room temperature, 1 mL weighs almost exactly 1 gram, but for other liquids (oil, honey, alcohol) the mass per mL differs by the density of the substance.
Common volume reference chart
| Item | cc = mL | Liters | US fl oz | US tsp | US tbsp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insulin syringe (standard) | 1 | 0.001 | 0.034 | 0.203 | 0.068 |
| Teaspoon (US) | 4.93 | 0.005 | 0.167 | 1 | 0.333 |
| Tablespoon (US) | 14.79 | 0.015 | 0.5 | 3 | 1 |
| Shot glass (US) | 44.36 | 0.044 | 1.5 | 9 | 3 |
| Quarter cup (US) | 59.15 | 0.059 | 2 | 12 | 4 |
| Half cup (US) | 118.29 | 0.118 | 4 | 24 | 8 |
| One cup (US) | 236.59 | 0.237 | 8 | 48 | 16 |
| 500 mL water bottle | 500 | 0.5 | 16.91 | 101.4 | 33.8 |
| 1 L water bottle | 1000 | 1 | 33.81 | 202.9 | 67.6 |
| Engine oil change (typical car) | 4000 | 4 | 135.3 | 811.5 | 270.5 |
All cc and mL values are identical. US customary conversions use NIST exact definitions.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1 cc the same as 1 mL?
Yes, exactly. One cubic centimeter (1 cc or 1 cm3) is defined to equal one milliliter (1 mL) under the International System of Units. This is not a rounded approximation - it is an exact, permanent definition. You can always replace "cc" with "mL" and vice versa without changing the quantity.
Why do syringes say cc and mL at the same time?
Because the two units are identical, manufacturers sometimes print both scales on the same syringe barrel to serve users who learned one term or the other. A marking that reads "1 cc" on one side of the syringe and "1 mL" on the other refers to the same graduation line. You do not need to convert between them.
How many mL is 5 cc?
5 cc is exactly 5 mL. Since 1 cc = 1 mL, the number never changes when you switch labels. Five milliliters is also about 1 US teaspoon (1 tsp = 4.93 mL), which is why a standard medicine spoon holds approximately 5 mL or 5 cc.
How many cc is 1 fluid ounce?
One US fluid ounce equals 29.5735 cc (or mL). One UK imperial fluid ounce is slightly smaller at 28.4131 cc. Always confirm which type of fluid ounce a recipe or prescription uses, because the 4% difference can matter in medical dosing.
Is cc the same as mL for engine displacement?
Yes. Automotive engineers use "cc" to describe engine displacement - a 1600 cc engine has the same displacement as a 1600 mL or 1.6 L engine. The cc unit is preferred in that context for historical reasons, but the number is identical to mL.
Does 1 mL of water weigh 1 gram?
Almost, but not exactly. At exactly 4 degrees Celsius (the temperature of maximum water density), 1 mL of pure water weighs 1.000000 grams. At room temperature (20 degrees C) it weighs about 0.9982 grams - close enough for everyday purposes, but distinct from the volume. For liquids other than water (oil, milk, honey, alcohol), the mass per mL is different depending on density.