Most kitchen conversions come down to a handful of numbers: 3 teaspoons make 1 tablespoon, 16 tablespoons make 1 cup, and 1 cup is about 240 ml. This sheet lists the common ones in one place, then covers how to measure so the numbers hold up.
Volume Conversions
| Measure | Equals | Approx. metric |
|---|---|---|
| 3 teaspoons | 1 tablespoon | 15 ml |
| 1 teaspoon | – | 5 ml |
| 2 tablespoons | 1/8 cup, 1 fluid ounce | 30 ml |
| 4 tablespoons | 1/4 cup | 60 ml |
| 5 1/3 tablespoons | 1/3 cup | 80 ml |
| 8 tablespoons | 1/2 cup | 120 ml |
| 16 tablespoons | 1 cup, 8 fluid ounces | 240 ml |
| 2 cups | 1 pint | 475 ml |
| 2 pints (4 cups) | 1 quart | 950 ml |
| 4 quarts | 1 gallon | 3.8 litres |
US and metric cups differ slightly, and some countries use a 250 ml cup. When a recipe comes from abroad, check which one it assumes.
Weight Conversions
- 1 ounce is about 28 grams.
- 16 ounces make 1 pound, about 454 grams.
- 1000 grams make 1 kilogram, about 2.2 pounds.
- 1 stick of butter is 4 ounces, or 8 tablespoons, about 113 grams.
Why Cups and Weights Do Not Match
A cup holds a volume, not a mass. A cup of flour, sugar and honey each weigh something different, and flour weighs more when packed. Where a recipe gives grams, a kitchen scale is the most dependable way to measure. Where it gives cups, spoon dry ingredients lightly into the cup and level the top with a straight edge.
Measuring Habits That Help
- Use nested cups and spoons for dry goods, and a clear jug with markings for liquids.
- Read the liquid line at eye level on a flat surface.
- Level dry ingredients; do not pat or tap them down unless the recipe says to.
- For sticky items, grease the spoon or cup lightly so they slide out.
- Weigh ingredients straight into one bowl, resetting the scale to zero between each.
Handy Pan and Pinch Terms
A pinch is roughly what you hold between thumb and finger, around 1/16 teaspoon. A dash is slightly more. A “scant” cup is just under full, while a “heaping” spoon is rounded above the rim. Treat these as approximate and follow the recipe.
Many cooks also tape a small card of the table inside a cupboard door, so the numbers are in view while the hands are covered in flour.
FAQ
Is a fluid ounce the same as an ounce by weight?
No. Fluid ounces measure volume and ounces measure weight. They match closely only for water-like liquids.
Do the numbers apply to baking?
They do, but baking is sensitive to small differences, so weighing gives more consistent results than scooping.
The Short Version
Keep the core numbers handy, note the cup size your recipe uses and weigh when you can. Print the table and tape it inside a cupboard door. When in doubt, check the recipe’s own notes on whether it expects US cups, metric cups or grams.