Why Cooking Conversions Matter
Recipes from different countries use different measurement systems. A British recipe might call for grams, an American recipe for cups, and an Australian recipe for metric cups. Understanding conversions ensures your dishes turn out perfectly.
Volume Conversions
US to Metric Volume
| US Measurement | Metric | Fluid Ounces |
|---|
| 1 teaspoon | 5 mL | 1/6 fl oz |
| 1 tablespoon | 15 mL | 1/2 fl oz |
| 1/4 cup | 60 mL | 2 fl oz |
| 1/2 cup | 120 mL | 4 fl oz |
| 1 cup | 240 mL | 8 fl oz |
| 1 pint | 480 mL | 16 fl oz |
| 1 quart | 960 mL | 32 fl oz |
US vs. UK vs. Australian Cups
| Measurement | US | UK | Australian |
|---|
| 1 cup | 240 mL | 284 mL | 250 mL |
| 1 tablespoon | 15 mL | 15 mL | 20 mL |
Important: Australian tablespoons are 20 mL, not 15 mL!
Weight Conversions
Common Weight Conversions
| Imperial | Metric |
|---|
| 1 oz | 28 g |
| 4 oz | 113 g |
| 8 oz | 227 g |
| 1 lb (16 oz) | 454 g |
Why Weight is Better for Baking
Volume measurements vary based on how you scoop flour and humidity. Weight is precise and consistent every time.
Ingredient-Specific Conversions
Flour (All-Purpose)
| Volume | Weight |
|---|
| 1/4 cup | 31 g |
| 1/2 cup | 63 g |
| 1 cup | 125 g |
Sugar
Granulated Sugar:
| Volume | Weight |
|---|
| 1/4 cup | 50 g |
| 1/2 cup | 100 g |
| 1 cup | 200 g |
Butter
| US Measurement | Weight |
|---|
| 1 tablespoon | 14 g |
| 1/2 cup (1 stick) | 113 g |
| 1 cup (2 sticks) | 227 g |
Common Baking Ingredients
| Ingredient | 1 Cup Weight |
|---|
| All-purpose flour | 125 g |
| Granulated sugar | 200 g |
| Brown sugar (packed) | 220 g |
| Powdered sugar | 120 g |
| Butter | 227 g |
| Honey | 340 g |
| Cocoa powder | 85 g |
Temperature Conversions
Oven Temperatures
| Fahrenheit | Celsius | Gas Mark | Description |
|---|
| 250°F | 120°C | 1/2 | Cool |
| 300°F | 150°C | 2 | Low |
| 350°F | 175°C | 4 | Moderate |
| 400°F | 200°C | 6 | Hot |
| 450°F | 230°C | 8 | Very hot |
Scaling Recipes
Halving Recipes
| Original | Halved |
|---|
| 1 cup | 1/2 cup |
| 1/2 cup | 1/4 cup |
| 1/4 cup | 2 tablespoons |
| 1 tablespoon | 1.5 teaspoons |
Doubling Recipes
| Original | Doubled |
|---|
| 1/2 cup | 1 cup |
| 3/4 cup | 1 1/2 cups |
| 1 cup | 2 cups |
Pan Size Conversions
Round Pans
| Inches | Centimeters |
|---|
| 6" | 15 cm |
| 8" | 20 cm |
| 9" | 23 cm |
| 10" | 25 cm |
Rectangular Pans
| US Size | Metric |
|---|
| 8×8" | 20×20 cm |
| 9×13" | 23×33 cm |
International Recipe Terms
UK Terms vs. US Terms
| UK Term | US Term |
|---|
| Plain flour | All-purpose flour |
| Caster sugar | Superfine sugar |
| Icing sugar | Powdered sugar |
| Bicarbonate of soda | Baking soda |
| Single cream | Light cream |
| Double cream | Heavy cream |
| Coriander | Cilantro |
| Courgette | Zucchini |
Conclusion
Accurate measurements are the foundation of successful cooking and baking. Whether you're following a recipe from another country or scaling a family favorite, understanding these conversions ensures delicious results every time.
Use our free Unit Converter tool to quickly convert any cooking measurement.
