Whether you're following a recipe from another country or just trying to halve a batch of cookies, knowing your kitchen conversions saves time and prevents disasters. Here's every conversion you'll actually need.
Volume Conversions
The most common kitchen conversions involve volume — how much liquid or dry ingredient fits in a measuring cup or spoon.
| Measurement | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon (tbsp) | 3 teaspoons (tsp) |
| 1/4 cup | 4 tablespoons |
| 1/3 cup | 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon |
| 1/2 cup | 8 tablespoons |
| 1 cup | 16 tablespoons |
| 1 cup | 8 fluid ounces (fl oz) |
| 1 cup | 237 milliliters (ml) |
| 1 pint | 2 cups |
| 1 quart | 4 cups |
| 1 gallon | 16 cups |
💡 Pro Tip: Invest in a good set of glass measuring cups with clear markings. They're more accurate than plastic ones and won't warp in the dishwasher.
Weight Conversions
Baking recipes (especially from Europe and Australia) often use weight instead of volume. Weight is actually more accurate for baking because flour can settle differently in a cup.
| Measurement | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 ounce (oz) | 28.35 grams (g) |
| 1 pound (lb) | 16 ounces |
| 1 pound | 453.6 grams |
| 1 kilogram (kg) | 2.2 pounds |
Common Ingredient Weights (1 Cup)
| Ingredient | Weight per Cup |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 125g / 4.4oz |
| Bread flour | 130g / 4.6oz |
| Sugar (granulated) | 200g / 7oz |
| Brown sugar (packed) | 220g / 7.75oz |
| Powdered sugar | 120g / 4.2oz |
| Butter | 227g / 8oz (2 sticks) |
| Honey / Maple syrup | 340g / 12oz |
| Milk | 245g / 8.6oz |
Temperature Conversions
Recipes from the UK, Europe, and Australia use Celsius. Here's how to convert:
| Fahrenheit (°F) | Celsius (°C) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 250°F | 120°C | Very low |
| 300°F | 150°C | Low |
| 325°F | 165°C | Slow/Warm |
| 350°F | 175°C | Moderate (most common) |
| 375°F | 190°C | Moderate hot |
| 400°F | 200°C | Hot |
| 425°F | 220°C | Hot |
| 450°F | 230°C | Very hot |
| 500°F | 260°C | Broil |
oven thermometer inside your oven — most ovens are off by 25°F or more. It's the cheapest way to improve your baking immediately.
Butter Conversions
Butter is measured in sticks in the US, which confuses everyone else. Here's the breakdown:
| Sticks | Cups | Tablespoons | Grams |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 stick | 1/8 cup | 2 tbsp | 28g |
| 1/2 stick | 1/4 cup | 4 tbsp | 57g |
| 1 stick | 1/2 cup | 8 tbsp | 113g |
| 2 sticks | 1 cup | 16 tbsp | 227g |
Quick Reference Tips
- When halving recipes: Use the converter tools on our homepage to get exact measurements.
- For baking: Always measure flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling off — never scoop directly from the bag.
- Liquid vs. dry: Use liquid measuring cups (with a pour spout) for liquids and dry measuring cups (that you level off) for dry ingredients.
- International recipes: If a recipe lists ingredients by weight, use a kitchen scale for best results.
Need to convert something specific? Use our temperature, volume, or weight converter tools for instant, accurate results.