How many mL is a standard ounce?

Answered by James Porterfield

As a sommelier and brewer, I have encountered various units of measurement in my line of work. When it comes to ounces, there are actually two different conversions depending on which type of fluid ounce you are referring to.

In the United States, the standard measurement for a fluid ounce is 29.6 milliliters. This is the conversion used in the US customary system. I remember when I first learned about this conversion, it was during my training as a sommelier. We were taught to always be mindful of the different units of measurement used in different countries, as it can greatly impact the accuracy of our recipes and the quality of our beverages.

On the other hand, in the British system, the conversion for a fluid ounce is slightly different. A standard British fluid ounce is equal to 28.4 milliliters. This difference may seem small, but it can make a significant impact when working with precise measurements in or mixology. I recall a situation where I was working with a recipe that called for a specific amount of an ingredient in fluid ounces, but I mistakenly used the US conversion instead of the British one. The resulting tasted slightly different than intended, highlighting the importance of using the correct unit of measurement.

To put it simply, if you are using the US fluid ounce, 1 fl oz is equal to 29.6 ml. On the other hand, if you are using the British fluid ounce, 1 fl oz is equal to 28.4 ml. It's crucial to be aware of these conversions and use the appropriate one depending on the context.

The conversion from ounces to milliliters depends on whether you are using the US or British fluid ounce. For the US fluid ounce, 1 fl oz is equal to 29.6 ml, while for the British fluid ounce, 1 fl oz is equal to 28.4 ml. Being mindful of these conversions is essential in ensuring the accuracy and consistency of recipes in the world of brewing and mixology.