Cooking Measurement Converter
Convert between cooking measurements including cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, milliliters, and more. Includes ingredient density for volume-to-weight conversions.
How the Cooking Converter Works
This cooking measurement converter handles both volume and weight conversions used in recipes worldwide. Volume conversions use standard ratios between units (1 cup = 16 tablespoons = 48 teaspoons = 236.588 ml). For volume-to-weight conversions, the calculator uses ingredient-specific densities because different ingredients have different weights per volume — a cup of flour weighs much less than a cup of honey.
Conversion Formulas
Volume: target_value = source_value x (source_ml_factor / target_ml_factor)
Weight: target_value = source_value x (source_g_factor / target_g_factor)
Volume to Weight: grams = volume_in_ml x ingredient_density_g_per_ml
US vs Metric Cups
A US customary cup equals 236.588 ml, while a metric cup (used in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand) equals exactly 250 ml. This 5.7% difference can affect baking results. Always check which cup measurement your recipe uses. Japanese cups are even smaller at 200 ml.
Ingredient Densities for Baking Precision
Professional bakers prefer weight measurements because volume measurements vary based on how ingredients are packed. A cup of sifted flour weighs significantly less than a cup of scooped flour. The densities used in this converter represent standard packing:
| Ingredient | Density (g/ml) | 1 US Cup (grams) | 1 US Cup (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 1 | 236.6 | 8.35 |
| All-Purpose Flour | 0.529 | 125.2 | 4.41 |
| Granulated Sugar | 0.845 | 199.9 | 7.05 |
| Butter | 0.911 | 215.5 | 7.60 |
| Milk | 1.03 | 243.7 | 8.60 |
| Honey | 1.42 | 336.0 | 11.85 |
| Vegetable Oil | 0.92 | 217.7 | 7.68 |
| Rice (uncooked) | 0.85 | 201.1 | 7.09 |
Common Cooking Conversions Reference
| Measurement | Equivalent | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon | 3 teaspoons | 14.79 ml |
| 1 fluid ounce | 2 tablespoons | 29.57 ml |
| 1/4 cup | 4 tablespoons | 59.15 ml |
| 1/3 cup | 5 tbsp + 1 tsp | 78.86 ml |
| 1/2 cup | 8 tablespoons | 118.29 ml |
| 1 cup | 16 tablespoons = 48 tsp | 236.59 ml |
| 1 pint | 2 cups | 473.18 ml |
| 1 quart | 4 cups = 2 pints | 946.35 ml |
| 1 gallon | 16 cups = 4 quarts | 3,785.41 ml |
| 1 liter | 4.227 cups | 1,000 ml |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
There are 16 tablespoons in 1 US cup. This means 1 tablespoon equals 1/16 of a cup, or approximately 14.79 ml.
What is the difference between a US cup and a metric cup?
A US cup is 236.588 ml while a metric cup is exactly 250 ml. The metric cup is about 5.7% larger. Recipes from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand typically use metric cups.
Why do bakers prefer weight measurements?
Weight measurements are more precise because volume can vary based on how an ingredient is packed. A cup of sifted flour weighs about 120g while a cup of scooped flour can weigh 150g or more. This 25% difference can ruin baked goods.
How do I convert a recipe from cups to grams?
Multiply the volume in cups by 236.588 (ml per cup) and then by the ingredient density. For example, 2 cups of flour: 2 x 236.588 x 0.529 = 250.3 grams.
Is a fluid ounce the same as a weight ounce?
No. A fluid ounce measures volume (29.57 ml) while a weight ounce measures mass (28.35 grams). They happen to be nearly equal for water, but differ significantly for other ingredients.
How many teaspoons are in a tablespoon?
There are 3 teaspoons in 1 tablespoon. This is consistent across US, UK, and metric measurement systems.
What is the density of common baking ingredients?
Water is 1.0 g/ml, all-purpose flour is about 0.53 g/ml, granulated sugar is 0.85 g/ml, butter is 0.91 g/ml, and honey is 1.42 g/ml. These values represent standard packing conditions.