Convert any kitchen measurement.
Switch between cups, spoons, ounces, milliliters and liters, or turn a volume into grams and ounces for a specific ingredient. Everything updates as you type.
Your measurement
What this means
Your amount in every volume unit
| Unit | Equivalent |
|---|
How cooking conversions work
US Cooking Measurement Standards
US cooking measurements are based on volume (cups, tablespoons, teaspoons) rather than weight. One US cup equals 236.588 mL, one tablespoon equals 14.787 mL (three teaspoons), and one teaspoon equals 4.929 mL. These measurements can vary from country to country, so it is important to know which standard a recipe uses.
Volume vs Weight in Cooking
Volume measurements (cups, tablespoons) are convenient but less accurate than weight measurements (grams, ounces). A cup of flour can vary from 120g to 160g depending on how it is scooped. Professional bakers and most international recipes use weight for precision. For consistent results, a kitchen scale measuring in grams is the most reliable tool.
Common Cooking Conversions
Key conversions to remember: 1 cup = 16 tablespoons = 48 teaspoons = 8 fluid ounces. 1 pint = 2 cups, 1 quart = 4 cups, 1 gallon = 16 cups. For weight: 1 ounce = 28.35 grams, 1 pound = 453.6 grams = 16 ounces. Having these conversions handy simplifies halving, doubling, or adapting any recipe.
Common questions
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
There are 16 tablespoons in one US cup. Each tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons, so one cup also equals 48 teaspoons. These relationships are useful when scaling recipes up or down.
Can I convert between volume and weight units?
Volume-to-weight conversions depend on the ingredient density. This converter uses standard values: volume units convert to mL as an intermediate step, and weight units convert to grams. Direct volume-to-weight conversion requires knowing the specific ingredient (e.g., 1 cup of water = 236g, but 1 cup of flour = ~125g).
What is the difference between fluid ounces and ounces?
Fluid ounces measure volume (how much space a liquid takes up), while ounces measure weight (how heavy something is). For water, 1 fluid ounce weighs approximately 1 ounce, but for other ingredients the relationship varies. Honey, for example, weighs about 1.5 ounces per fluid ounce.
Are UK and US cups the same size?
No. A US cup is 236.588 mL while a UK (imperial) cup is 284.131 mL. Similarly, UK tablespoons (17.758 mL) and teaspoons (5.919 mL) are larger than US versions. Australian tablespoons are 20 mL. Always check which standard your recipe uses.
Estimates only. Ingredient weights use typical densities and vary with humidity, packing and brand. For baking, weigh with a kitchen scale for best accuracy.