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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Result
The formula
Volume mode converts through millilitres using the US customary cup = 236.5882365 ml (tbsp = cup/16, tsp = cup/48, fl oz = cup/8). Metric (~250 ml) and 200 ml cups are also selectable. Ingredient mode uses culinary grams-per-cup (flour ≈ 120 g, sugar ≈ 200 g, butter ≈ 227 g, water ≈ 236.6 g).
Worked example
- 2 cups → ml: 2 × 236.588 ≈ 473.18 ml
- 1 cup all-purpose flour ≈ 120 g
- 3 tbsp butter ≈ 42.6 g
Result: Volume and ingredient weight conversions for recipes
How cooking conversions work
Volume units default to the US cup. Weight conversions need ingredient density.
US cup basis
Default is the US customary cup (236.5882365 ml). Choose metric (~250 ml) or 200 ml when the recipe means those.
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. Pick the matching unit for the recipe.
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: cup → ml. 1 US cup ≈ 236.59 ml.
Granulated sugar packs denser (~200 g/cup) than aerated flour (~120 g/cup).
Default is the US customary cup. Metric (~250 ml) and 200 ml cups are in the unit list.
16 tablespoons equal 1 US cup. Use Volume mode, choose tablespoon as "from" and cup as "to" (or the reverse), and enter your amount.
Use Ingredient mode, select Butter (~227 g/cup), and enter the gram amount — the calculator returns the equivalent cup measure. For sticks, 1 US stick is roughly 113 g, or half a cup.
Partially. UK recipes often use metric weights (grams) already, which convert directly, but UK "cup" measures are not standardized like the US cup — check whether a UK source means US cups or a metric 250 ml cup before converting.
References
- US customary units Context for customary volume definitions used in US measures.
- FoodData Central Nutrient database; culinary cup weights still vary by packing method.
- Kitchen measurement tips General consumer food measurement context.