🍵 Go Volume Converter (合 to mL)
The Go Volume Converter translates go (合, the traditional Japanese volume unit) into metric and imperial units. One go equals 2401/13310 liters (approximately 180.39 mL), standardized as the volume of a standard sake cup (masu) and used for rice measurement.
Enter go (合) to convert to milliliters, liters, US cups, and fluid ounces. 1 go = 180.39 mL. Standard unit for sake and rice measurement in Japan.
What is this tool?
The Go Volume Converter converts between go (合) and modern volume units. The go is the most commonly encountered traditional volume unit in daily Japanese life, used primarily for rice cooking and sake serving.
| Unit | Volume | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 go (合) | 2401/13310 L = 180.39 mL | Standard rice cooker cup |
| 1 sho (升) | 10 go = 1.8039 L | Standard sake bottle (isshobin) |
| 1 to (斗) | 10 sho = 18.039 L | Large bulk container |
| 1 koku (石) | 10 to = 180.39 L | Historical rice stipend unit |
The go is inseparable from Japanese cooking. Every rice cooker includes a "1-go" measuring cup. Japanese sake is sold in 1-sho (1.8 L) bottles, traditionally 10 go. The square wooden box (masu, 枡) used for sake holds exactly 1 go.
How it works
The converter uses the exact legal definition:
Common conversions:
- 1 go = 180.39 mL (0.764 US cups)
- 1 go = 6.10 fl oz (US fluid ounces)
- 1 US cup = 1.308 go
- 1 sho (isshobin) = 10 go = 1.804 L
For rice: 1 go of uncooked rice yields approximately 2 go (360 mL) of cooked rice. This 1:2 ratio is why rice cookers use go as the standard unit.
| Rice Cooker Size | Go (raw rice) | Grams | Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-cup (compact) | 3 | ~450 g | 1-2 people |
| 5.5-cup (standard) | 5.5 | ~825 g | 3-4 people |
| 10-cup (large) | 10 | ~1,500 g | 5-7 people |
| 1 go per person | 1 | ~150 g | 1 adult meal |
For larger volumes, try our sho (1.8 L) converter or the koku (180 L) converter. For general liquid conversions, the volume converter handles metric and imperial units.
How to use
- Enter the volume in go (e.g. 1 for one rice cooker cup).
- Select the target unit (mL, L, US cups, fl oz, or sho).
- Click Convert to see the result instantly.
- Check the reference table for the full shakkanho volume hierarchy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many mL is one go of rice?
One go equals 180.39 mL (legally 2401/13310 liters). In practice, most rice cooker cups are marked at exactly 180 mL. This is the standard serving size of uncooked rice for one adult.
Is a go the same as a US cup?
No. One go is 180 mL, while one US cup is 240 mL. They differ by about 33%. A go is closer to 3/4 of a US cup. Never substitute a Western measuring cup for a rice cooker go cup.
How much cooked rice does 1 go yield?
One go of uncooked rice (180 mL / 150 g) yields approximately 330 g of cooked rice, roughly 2 rice-bowl portions. The raw-to-cooked ratio is about 1:2.2 by volume.
What is the masu sake box?
A masu (枡) is a square wooden box traditionally made of hinoki (cypress) that holds exactly 1 go (180 mL) of sake. Drinking sake from a masu is a ceremonial practice, often with salt placed on the rim.
Why is sake sold in 1.8 L bottles?
The standard sake bottle (isshobin, 一升瓶) holds exactly 1 sho (升) = 10 go = 1.8039 L. This traditional unit has been the standard for bulk sake sales for centuries, though 720 mL and 300 mL bottles are now common.
Tips & Advice
Always use the rice cooker cup, not a standard measuring cup. A rice cooker "1-go" cup is exactly 180 mL, while a US cup is 237 mL. Using a Western cup will produce wrong rice-to-water ratios.
1 go of rice feeds one adult for one meal (approximately 330 g cooked). This is the universal Japanese cooking standard: cook 1 go per person.
Sake serving sizes: A standard masu (wooden box) holds 1 go (180 mL). A tokkuri (sake flask) holds about 1.5-2 go. An isshobin (large bottle) holds 1 sho = 10 go.
Rice cooker capacity is measured in go. A "5.5-go" rice cooker (the most popular size) can cook up to 5.5 go (about 1 kg) of raw rice, enough for a family of 4-5.
Related Tools
Sho Volume Converter
Convert sho (Japanese 1.8L volume unit) to liters, milliliters, gallons, and go.
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Free Volume Converter
Convert volume between liters, milliliters, gallons, cups, and cubic meters inst
Koku Volume Converter
Convert koku (Japanese historical volume unit = 180 L) to liters, gallons, and o
To Volume Converter
Convert to (Japanese volume unit = 18 L) to liters, gallons, sho, and koku. 1 to
Sources & References
- Japanese Measurement Act (計量法). e-Gov Japan.
- NIST Special Publication 811 - Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI). NIST.
Last reviewed: August 2026.
Limitations
- The legal go definition (2401/13310 L) is rounded to 180 mL in most practical contexts
- Historical go volumes varied by region before standardization
- Rice density varies by variety, so 1 go by volume is not exactly 150 g by weight
For precise culinary measurements, always use the rice cooker measuring cup provided.