Cooking Unit Converter

What is a cooking converter?

A cooking converter translates between different measurement systems and units used in recipes. Recipes from different countries use different measurements — American recipes use cups and tablespoons, European recipes use grams and milliliters, and older recipes might use obscure measures like gills or drams. This tool bridges the gap.

The most common conversions in cooking are between volume (cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, milliliters) and weight (grams, ounces, pounds). The tricky part is that volume-to-weight conversion depends on the ingredient — a cup of flour weighs about 120 grams, but a cup of sugar weighs about 200 grams. This tool handles ingredient-specific conversions.

How to use this tool

Select the measurement type and units. Enter a value and see the converted result instantly. For volume-to-weight conversions, select the ingredient for accurate results. Common conversions like cups to grams for flour, sugar, and butter are built in.

Common cooking conversions

• 1 cup = 240 ml = 16 tablespoons.
• 1 tablespoon = 15 ml = 3 teaspoons.
• 1 stick of butter = 113 grams = 8 tablespoons = 1/2 cup.
• 1 cup flour (all-purpose) = approximately 120-125 grams.
• 1 cup sugar (granulated) = approximately 200 grams.

Cooking measurement tips

For baking accuracy, weigh ingredients with a kitchen scale rather than using measuring cups. Flour packed into a cup can vary by 30% in weight depending on how it is scooped. Professional bakers always use weight measurements. For cooking (as opposed to baking), small variations in measurement usually do not significantly affect the result.

Frequently asked questions

Are Australian and US tablespoons the same?

No. A US tablespoon is 14.8 ml (usually rounded to 15 ml), while an Australian tablespoon is 20 ml. This difference can matter in baking. UK tablespoons are 15 ml. When following recipes from different countries, check which tablespoon size is intended. This tool lets you select the measurement standard.

Why do recipes use different measurement systems?

American recipes traditionally use volume measurements (cups, tablespoons) because they are convenient without a scale. European and professional recipes use weight (grams) because it is more precise and consistent. The US customary system evolved from British imperial measurements, while most of the world adopted the metric system. Both approaches work fine, but weight is objectively more accurate for baking.