Cooking Conversion (Cups, Grams, mL, oz)
Convert recipe measurements between cups, grams, milliliters, ounces, tablespoons, and teaspoons.
What this calculates
US recipes use cups and tablespoons; European recipes use grams and milliliters. Conversions get tricky because volume-to-weight depends on the ingredient (a cup of flour ≠ a cup of sugar in grams). This converter handles standard volume conversions plus weight equivalents for common baking ingredients.
Formula & how it works
Volume: 1 cup = 16 tbsp = 48 tsp = 237 mL = 8 fl oz. 1 tbsp = 3 tsp = 14.79 mL. 1 cup ≈ 240 mL (rounded). Weight by ingredient (1 cup): flour 120 g, sugar 200 g, butter 227 g, rice 195 g, oats 90 g, water 237 g. Imperial UK fluid ounces differ (28.4 mL) from US (29.6 mL).
Worked example
A US recipe calls for 2 cups all-purpose flour. By weight: 2 × 120 = 240 g. 1 cup water = 237 mL exactly. 3 tbsp olive oil = 44 mL. 8 oz cream cheese = 226 g (1 standard package).
Frequently asked questions
Why does flour weight matter?
Volume measurements are imprecise — packed cups have 20-30 % more flour than sifted cups. Baking by weight (g) is more consistent and forgives variations between bakers.
US vs UK cup size?
US cup = 237 mL. UK cup (rarely used now) = 284 mL. Metric cup (Australia, NZ) = 250 mL. Most modern UK recipes use grams and mL, avoiding cups entirely.
Does altitude affect conversions?
Conversions don't change. Recipes themselves might need adjustment at high altitude (less leavening, more liquid for baking), but the cup-to-gram math is the same.
Are 'a pinch' and 'a dash' real measurements?
Sort of. Pinch ≈ 1/16 tsp. Dash ≈ 1/8 tsp. Smidgen ≈ 1/32 tsp. Tiny by chef standards — useful for spices in small recipes.