Understanding Cooking Measurements
Volume vs. Weight
Professional bakers prefer weight measurements because they're more accurate. 1 cup of flour can vary from 120g to 150g depending on how it's scooped. Weighing ingredients eliminates this inconsistency.
US vs. Metric
Most of the world uses metric (grams, milliliters) while the US uses cups and ounces. Our converter bridges both systems, making international recipes accessible to everyone.
Quick Reference
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 1 cup of flour weigh different amounts in different recipes?
Flour settles and compacts over time. Scooping directly from the bag packs more flour than the "spoon and level" method. Professional recipes specify weight (usually 125g for all-purpose flour) to ensure consistency.
What's the difference between fluid ounces and ounces?
Fluid ounces (fl oz) measure volume, while ounces (oz) measure weight. 8 fl oz of water weighs about 8 oz, but 8 fl oz of honey weighs about 12 oz because honey is denser than water.
How do I measure a "stick" of butter?
In the US, 1 stick of butter = ½ cup = 8 tablespoons = 4 ounces = 113 grams. A standard US butter package has 4 sticks (1 pound total). Each stick usually has tablespoon markings on the wrapper for easy measuring.
Are UK and US cups the same size?
No! A US cup is 237 ml, while an Imperial (UK) cup is 284 ml—about 20% larger. Australian cups are 250 ml. Always check where a recipe originates to use the correct cup size, or convert to weight for accuracy.