The Ultimate Kitchen Measurement Conversion Guide

Accurate measurements are the foundation of successful cooking and baking. Whether you are following a recipe from another country or scaling a recipe up or down, understanding measurement conversions is essential.

Volume Conversions for Cooking

The most common cooking measurements in American recipes are cups, tablespoons, and teaspoons. Here is how they relate to each other and to metric measurements:

• 1 cup = 16 tablespoons = 48 teaspoons = 236.6 mL
• 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons = 14.8 mL
• 1 teaspoon = 4.9 mL
• 1 fluid ounce = 2 tablespoons = 29.6 mL

Weight vs Volume

Many professional bakers prefer measuring by weight rather than volume because it is more accurate. A cup of flour can vary significantly depending on how it is scooped, but 120 grams of flour is always 120 grams.

Common Ingredient Weights per Cup

Here are approximate weights for common baking ingredients:

• All-purpose flour: 1 cup = 120g
• Granulated sugar: 1 cup = 200g
• Brown sugar (packed): 1 cup = 220g
• Butter: 1 cup = 227g (2 sticks)
• Milk: 1 cup = 245g
• Honey: 1 cup = 340g

International Differences

Be aware that cup sizes differ between countries:

• US cup = 236.6 mL
• UK cup = 284.1 mL
• Australian cup = 250 mL
• Japanese cup = 200 mL

Always check which measurement standard a recipe uses before converting.

Tips for Accurate Measurement

1. Use the correct measuring tools (dry cups for dry ingredients, liquid measuring cups for liquids)
2. Level off dry ingredients with a straight edge
3. Read liquid measurements at eye level
4. When in doubt, weigh ingredients on a kitchen scale
5. Use our cooking converter tool for instant, accurate conversions