Cooking Measurement Conversion Calculator

Convert between common cooking measurements including volume (cups, tablespoons, teaspoons) and weight (grams, ounces) units.

Understanding Cooking Measurements

Accurate measurement conversions are essential for successful cooking and baking. Different ingredients have different densities, making weight measurements more precise than volume measurements for many recipes.

Measurement Systems

1. Volume Measurements

Used for liquids and some dry ingredients:

  • Teaspoons (tsp) and tablespoons (tbsp)
  • Cups, pints, quarts, and gallons
  • Milliliters (ml) and liters (l)
  • Best for liquids where density is consistent

2. Weight Measurements

More accurate for dry ingredients:

  • Ounces (oz) and pounds (lb)
  • Grams (g) and kilograms (kg)
  • Essential for professional baking
  • Eliminates packing variations

3. Ingredient Variations

Different ingredients have different densities:

  • 1 cup flour ≠ 1 cup sugar in weight
  • Brown sugar packs differently than white sugar
  • Liquids vary slightly by temperature
  • Butter has standard weight per volume

Common Measurement Equivalents

Measurement Equivalent Metric Equivalent
1 teaspoon 1/3 tablespoon 5 ml
1 tablespoon 3 teaspoons 15 ml
1 fluid ounce 2 tablespoons 30 ml
1 cup 16 tablespoons 240 ml
1 pint 2 cups 480 ml
1 quart 4 cups 960 ml
1 gallon 16 cups 3.8 liters

Weight to Volume Conversions

Ingredient 1 Cup Weight 1 Ounce Volume
All-Purpose Flour 120g (4.25 oz) 4.5 tbsp
Granulated Sugar 200g (7 oz) 2.25 tbsp
Brown Sugar 220g (7.75 oz) 2 tbsp
Butter 227g (8 oz) 2 tbsp
Milk 240g (8.5 oz) 1.9 tbsp
Honey 340g (12 oz) 1.4 tbsp

Measurement Tips

1. Measuring Techniques

Proper measuring ensures accuracy:

  • Use liquid measuring cups for liquids
    • Read at eye level
    • Place on level surface
  • Use dry measuring cups for dry ingredients
    • Spoon in and level off
    • Don't pack unless specified
  • Weigh ingredients when precision matters
    • Use kitchen scale
    • Tare between ingredients

2. Conversion Guidelines

Helpful conversion rules:

  • Weight of water:
    • 1 ml = 1 g
    • 1 cup = 240g
    • 1 fl oz = 30g
  • Butter conversions:
    • 1 stick = 1/2 cup = 8 tbsp = 4 oz = 113g
    • 1 tbsp = 14g
  • Common leaveners:
    • 1 packet yeast = 2 1/4 tsp = 7g
    • 1 tbsp baking powder = 15g

International Measurement Differences

1. US vs Metric

Key differences to note:

  • US cups are 240ml, metric cups are 250ml
  • US tablespoons are 15ml, UK are 17.7ml
  • US fluid ounces are 30ml, UK are 28.4ml
  • Metric recipes typically use weight measurements

2. Common International Equivalents

Useful conversions:

  • 1 US cup = 0.95 metric cup
  • 1 UK pint = 1.2 US pints
  • 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds
  • 1 ounce = 28.35 grams

3. Japanese Measurements

Unique Japanese units:

  • 1 gou (合) = 180ml (rice measurement)
  • 1 cup = 200ml in Japanese recipes
  • 1 tablespoon = 15ml (same as US)
  • 1 teaspoon = 5ml (same as US)

Common Measurement Mistakes

Incorrect Measuring

  • Using liquid cup for dry ingredients
  • Scooping flour directly from bag
  • Packing brown sugar too tightly
  • Not leveling off dry measures
  • Estimating small amounts

Conversion Errors

  • Confusing weight and volume
  • Not accounting for ingredient density
  • Mixing US and metric systems
  • Rounding too early in calculations

Tool Problems

  • Using inaccurate measuring cups
  • Not calibrating kitchen scale
  • Using different sized "cups"
  • Worn measuring spoons

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I convert cups to grams?

A: Cup to gram conversions vary by ingredient:

  • Find the density or specific conversion for that ingredient
  • Use our calculator above for accurate conversions
  • When in doubt:
    • Flour: 1 cup ≈ 120g
    • Sugar: 1 cup ≈ 200g
    • Butter: 1 cup ≈ 227g

Q: Is a metric cup the same as a US cup?

A: No, there are important differences:

  • US cup = 240 milliliters
  • Metric cup = 250 milliliters
  • UK cup = 284 milliliters (rarely used)
  • Japanese cup = 200 milliliters
  • Always check which cup measurement a recipe uses

Q: How should I measure sticky ingredients like honey?

A: Techniques for measuring sticky ingredients:

  • Lightly grease measuring cup/spoon first
  • Use warm water to help release
  • Weigh instead of using volume measures
  • For small amounts, use syringe or dropper
  • For honey specifically: 1 tbsp = 21g

Essential Measurement Tools

Basic Tools

  • Liquid measuring cups (glass, with spout)
  • Nested dry measuring cups (1/4 to 1 cup)
  • Measuring spoons (1/4 tsp to 1 tbsp)
  • Kitchen scale (digital, metric/imperial)

Specialty Tools

  • Angled measuring cups (easy to read)
  • Adjustable measuring cups (for odd amounts)
  • Mini measuring spoons (for tiny amounts)
  • Portion scoops (for consistent sizing)

Helpful Accessories

  • Kitchen timer (for precise timing)
  • Thermometer (for temperature checks)
  • Conversion charts (quick reference)
  • Calculator (for complex conversions)