Convert Cup (Metric) (cup) to Picoliter (pL) instantly.
About these units
Cup (Metric) (cup)
A metric cup is defined as 250 mL, differing from both the US cup (236.588 mL) and the UK cup (284 mL). Used extensively in Australia, New Zealand, Canada (informally), and some European cooking contexts, the metric cup provides a clean, simple unit that aligns perfectly with decimal scaling. Its adoption reduces confusion in international recipe exchange and demonstrates the value of standardization for global culinary communication.
Picoliter (pL)
A picoliter is 10⁻¹² liters, bridging the gap between femtoliters and nanoliters. Many biological cells—such as yeast—have volumes in the picoliter range. This makes the unit particularly important in cell biology, single-cell genomics, and droplet microfluidics. Inkjet printers famously eject droplets on the order of a few picoliters, illustrating a precise and widespread technological use. This droplet size affects print resolution, color quality, and material deposition accuracy. The picoliter is also used in chemical analysis, micro-sampling, and lab-on-chip devices, where controlling tiny fluid quantities is essential for efficiency and precision.