Everyday

Cooking Converter

Switch between kitchen volume units, or convert a volume of a named ingredient to grams — densities differ, so weight always depends on what you are measuring.

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Updates as you type

Result

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The formula

Volume mode converts through millilitres using US customary cup = 236.5882365 ml (tbsp = cup/16, tsp = cup/48, fl oz = cup/8). Ingredient mode multiplies US-cup equivalents by culinary grams-per-cup densities (e.g. flour ≈ 120 g/cup, sugar ≈ 200 g/cup, butter ≈ 227 g/cup, water ≈ 236.6 g/cup).

ml = value × factor_from · g = cups × g_per_cup(ingredient)

Worked example

  1. 2 cups → ml: 2 × 236.588 ≈ 473.18 ml
  2. 1 cup all-purpose flour ≈ 120 g
  3. 3 tbsp butter ≈ (3/16) cup × 227 g ≈ 42.6 g

Result: Volume and ingredient weight conversions for recipes

How cooking conversions work

Volume units are exact ratios of the US cup. Weight conversions need an ingredient density — flour is far lighter per cup than honey.

US cup basis

We use the US customary cup (236.5882365 ml), not the metric cup (250 ml) or the US legal cup (240 ml). Packaging and scales outside the US may assume 250 ml — check your recipe’s origin.

Ingredient weights

Grams-per-cup values are common culinary averages (e.g. scooped flour ≈ 120 g). Spooned-and-levelled flour can weigh less; packed brown sugar weighs more. Prefer a kitchen scale for baking precision.

What we do not model

No UK imperial cups/pints, no altitude adjustments, and no brand-specific packing densities. Water and milk are close to 1 g/ml; oils and syrups are not.

Interesting facts

Volume ≠ weight

“1 cup” of flour and “1 cup” of sugar are the same volume but very different grams.

US vs metric cup

US cup ≈ 237 ml; many metric recipes use 250 ml. A 5% difference adds up in large batches.

Butter sticks

In the US, 1 cup butter ≈ 2 sticks ≈ 227 g (8 oz).

Scales win for baking

Professional bakers prefer grams — cup packing variance is the usual source of dry-texture fails.

Tbsp and tsp

16 tablespoons = 1 cup; 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon in US measures.

Frequently asked questions

About 120 g for all-purpose flour in this converter. Choose Ingredient weight, Flour, and 1 cup.

Use Volume mode: from cup → to ml. 1 US cup ≈ 236.59 ml.

Granulated sugar packs denser (~200 g/cup) than aerated flour (~120 g/cup).

No — US customary cup. For 250 ml metric cups, convert via ml or adjust the recipe.

References

  1. US customary units — NIST Context for customary volume definitions used in US measures.
  2. FoodData Central — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrient database; culinary cup weights still vary by packing method.
  3. Kitchen measurement tips — FDA — Food facts resources General consumer food measurement context.