Centilitres to Ounces Converter

Convert centilitres (cl) to UK fluid ounces (fl oz) with this straightforward converter. Whether you’re mixing cocktails at home, following a recipe, or measuring ingredients for your next meal, this page provides everything you need for accurate conversions between metric and imperial volume measurements.

Common Conversions

Recent Conversions

    CL to OZ Conversion Table

    This table shows common centilitre to UK fluid ounce conversions you’ll encounter in everyday situations, from small cocktail measures to larger bottle sizes.

    Centilitres (cl) UK Fluid Ounces (fl oz) Typical Use
    1 cl 0.3520 fl oz Spirit measure (small)
    2 cl 0.7039 fl oz Cocktail ingredient
    2.5 cl 0.8799 fl oz Standard UK spirit measure (25ml)
    3 cl 1.0559 fl oz Liqueur measure
    3.5 cl 1.2318 fl oz Large UK spirit measure (35ml)
    5 cl 1.7598 fl oz Cocktail base spirit
    10 cl 3.5195 fl oz Small wine glass
    12.5 cl 4.3994 fl oz Standard wine measure (125ml)
    17.5 cl 6.1591 fl oz Medium wine glass (175ml)
    25 cl 8.7988 fl oz Large wine measure (250ml)
    33 cl 11.6144 fl oz Small beer bottle
    50 cl 17.5975 fl oz Half litre / Large bottle
    75 cl 26.3963 fl oz Standard wine bottle
    100 cl 35.1950 fl oz One litre

    Conversion Formula

    CL to UK Fluid Ounces:

    UK fl oz = cl × 0.35195079728

    Example: Convert 25 cl to UK fl oz

    25 × 0.35195079728 = 8.7988 UK fl oz

    UK Fluid Ounces to CL:

    cl = UK fl oz × 2.84130625

    Example: Convert 5 UK fl oz to cl

    5 × 2.84130625 = 14.2065 cl

    Step-by-Step Conversion Process

    1. Identify the value in centilitres you want to convert
    2. Multiply the centilitre value by 0.35195079728
    3. The result is your value in UK fluid ounces
    4. Round to your desired level of precision (typically 2-4 decimal places for everyday use)

    Practical Context

    In Britain, you’ll come across both metric and imperial measurements daily. Centilitres appear frequently on spirit bottles and in cocktail recipes, whilst fluid ounces remain common in traditional recipes and pub measures. Here’s how these measurements fit into everyday life across the UK.

    At the Pub or Bar

    • A standard single spirit measure is 25ml (2.5 cl or 0.88 fl oz) in most of the UK, though some establishments serve 35ml (3.5 cl or 1.23 fl oz) measures
    • Wine by the glass comes in 125ml (12.5 cl), 175ml (17.5 cl), or 250ml (25 cl) servings
    • Cocktail recipes from the International Bartenders Association use centilitres as standard
    • A shot typically contains 25ml-35ml (2.5-3.5 cl), depending on the venue

    In the Kitchen

    • Older British cookery books often use fluid ounces, whilst modern recipes favour millilitres and centilitres
    • Imported spirits and liqueurs display volumes in centilitres (e.g., 70cl bottles)
    • Measuring jugs commonly show both metric (ml/cl) and imperial (fl oz) markings
    • Baking recipes might call for specific fluid ounce measurements that need converting to metric

    When Shopping

    • Wine bottles are typically 75cl (26.4 fl oz)
    • Standard spirits come in 70cl (24.6 fl oz) bottles
    • Miniature spirits are usually 5cl (1.76 fl oz)
    • Beer bottles range from 33cl (11.6 fl oz) to 50cl (17.6 fl oz)

    Visual Guide

    1 cl
    ≈ 0.35 UK fl oz
    10 cl
    ≈ 3.52 UK fl oz
    100 cl
    ≈ 35.20 UK fl oz

    Important: UK fluid ounces differ from US fluid ounces. One UK fl oz equals approximately 28.41ml, whilst one US fl oz equals approximately 29.57ml. This converter uses UK fluid ounces. If you’re working with American recipes, you’ll need a different conversion factor.

    UK vs US Measurements

    The distinction between UK and US fluid ounces matters more than you might think. Both countries use “fluid ounces” but they’re not identical measurements.

    Measurement UK Value US Value
    1 fluid ounce 28.4131 ml 29.5735 ml
    1 pint 568 ml (20 fl oz) 473 ml (16 fl oz)
    1 gallon 4546 ml 3785 ml
    1 cl 0.3520 UK fl oz 0.3381 US fl oz

    This difference stems from the 1824 Weights and Measures Act, which standardised British measurements differently from American ones. When following recipes from across the Atlantic, always check which system they’re referencing.

    Volume Conversions

    Here are related volume conversions that complement centilitre and fluid ounce measurements.

    From To Multiply By
    Centilitres (cl) Millilitres (ml) 10
    Centilitres (cl) Litres (L) 0.01
    Centilitres (cl) UK Fluid Ounces (fl oz) 0.35195
    Centilitres (cl) UK Pints 0.01760
    UK Fluid Ounces (fl oz) Millilitres (ml) 28.4131
    UK Fluid Ounces (fl oz) UK Pints 0.05
    Millilitres (ml) Centilitres (cl) 0.1
    Litres (L) Centilitres (cl) 100

    FAQs

    How many UK fluid ounces are in one centilitre?
    One centilitre equals approximately 0.352 UK fluid ounces. This means you need roughly 2.84 centilitres to make one UK fluid ounce.
    Why do UK and US fluid ounces differ?
    The difference dates back to 1824 when Britain standardised its imperial measurements through the Weights and Measures Act. The US had already established its own system based on earlier English measurements. A UK fluid ounce (28.41ml) is slightly smaller than a US fluid ounce (29.57ml), making UK pints larger than American ones.
    What’s the difference between cl and ml?
    Centilitres and millilitres are both metric volume measurements. One centilitre equals 10 millilitres. Think of cl as a middle step between ml and litres—it’s particularly handy for measuring drinks and recipes that fall between these two common units.
    How much is 25ml in centilitres and fluid ounces?
    25ml equals 2.5 cl or approximately 0.88 UK fl oz. This is the standard single spirit measure in most UK pubs and bars, making it one of the most common conversions you’ll need.
    Do I need to convert between cl and oz for recipes?
    It depends on your measuring equipment. Most modern kitchen measuring jugs show both metric (ml/cl) and imperial (fl oz) measurements. If you’re following a recipe that uses different units from your measuring equipment, converting beforehand helps prevent mistakes, especially in baking where precision matters.
    What size is a standard wine bottle in cl and fl oz?
    A standard wine bottle holds 75cl, which equals approximately 26.4 UK fluid ounces. This provides roughly six small (125ml) glasses or four medium (175ml) glasses of wine.
    How do bartenders measure cocktails in the UK?
    Professional bartenders in the UK typically use jiggers marked in millilitres and centilitres, though some traditional establishments still use imperial measures. International cocktail recipes follow the metric system, with measurements in cl being standard practice worldwide.
    Is a shot the same as a UK fluid ounce?
    Not quite. A standard UK shot is either 25ml or 35ml (2.5 or 3.5 cl), which translates to approximately 0.88 or 1.23 UK fluid ounces respectively. The term “shot” isn’t a legally defined measure in the UK, unlike spirits poured at licensed premises which must follow specific legal requirements.
    Can I use US cup measurements instead of cl or fl oz?
    You can, but be aware that US cups are a volume measurement equal to approximately 24cl or 8.45 UK fl oz. Many British recipes don’t use cup measurements, preferring the precision of metric or imperial measures. If you’re converting American recipes to UK measurements, you’ll need to account for both the cup-to-metric conversion and the US-to-UK fluid ounce difference.

    Related Posts

    Scroll to Top