In the chaos of a fast-paced, commercial kitchen, you might not have time to convert measurements and resize your recipes. Whether you're an experienced chef or training new staff, understanding measurement conversions helps you reduce mistakes so you can confidently cook or bake your favorite dishes. This guide contains all the tools needed to accurately measure and convert ingredients, ensuring that your recipes turn out perfectly every time.
Shop All Measuring Spoons and Cups
Use the following links to convert different cooking measurements:
- Kitchen Measuring Conversions
- Kitchen Measurements Chart
- Abbreviations for Cooking Measurements
- Liquid Measuring Cups vs Dry
Converting kitchen measurements is crucial for multiplying or cutting a recipe down. Whether you're converting ounces to cups or teaspoons to tablespoons, we have you covered! Check out our list of common kitchen measuring conversions within the US imperial system below. If you're looking for conversions to the metric system, use our guide for US to metric cooking conversions.
Liquid Measurement Conversions
Use the following liquid measurement conversions to easily adjust your recipes.
- 1 fluid ounce = 2 tablespoons
- 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces
- 1 pint = 2 cups or 16 fluid ounces
- 1 quart = 2 pints or 32 fluid ounces
- 1 gallon = 4 quarts or 128 fluid ounces
Dry Measurement Conversions
Use the following dry measurement conversions to easily adjust your recipes.
- 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons
- 1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons
- 1/3 cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon
- 1/2 cup = 8 tablespoons
- 1 cup = 16 tablespoons
Order of Measuring Cups
Many measuring cups and spoons come in measuring spoon and cup sets, but it still can be helpful to know the order of measuring cups by size when converting recipes. The standard measuring cup sizes in cooking from smallest to largest are 1/8 cup, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup. Similarly, the standard measuring spoon sizes in cooking from smallest to largest are 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 tablespoon, and 1 tablespoon.
Use our kitchen measurements chart in your establishment as an easily accessible guide to cooking measurement abbreviations, cooking conversions, and measuring cup sizes.
Both commercial kitchens and home cooks use a system of abbreviations for cooking measurements, some of which are easy to confuse. Mistaking a tablespoon for a teaspoon is a quick way to destroy entire recipes, so memorizing these abbreviations is vital. Below, we listed all standard cooking measurement abbreviations you might encounter in the kitchen.
Imperial System
The following abbreviations are standard in the imperial system of measurements.
- Teaspoon = t or tsp
- Tablespoon = T, TB, or tbsp
- Cup = C or c
- Pint = pt
- Quart = qt
- Gallon = gal
- Ounce = oz
- Fluid ounce = fl oz
- Pound = lb
Metric System
The following abbreviations are standard in the metric system of measurements.
- Milliliter = mL
- Liter = L or l
- Gram = g
- Kilogram = kg
Liquid measuring cups are designed for measuring liquid ingredients like water, milk, and cooking oil. They feature measurement lines that allow you to accurately measure liquids without the risk of spilling. Dry measuring cups are designed to measure dry ingredients like flour, sugar, and spices. Each cup holds a specific measurement ranging from 1/8 cup to 1 cup, so they usually come in sets.
How to Measure Liquid Ingredients
Liquid ingredients are measured in cups, pints, quarts, and gallons. For these ingredients, 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces.
- Use a liquid measuring cup placed on a level surface.
- Position yourself so that your eyes are level with the graduated markings on the cup.
- Pour the liquid into the cup until the liquid is level with the desired measurement line.
How to Measure Dry Ingredients
Dry ingredients are measured in teaspoons, tablespoons, cups, or by weight. For these ingredients, 1 cup = 4.5 ounces.
- Use a dry ingredient measuring cup for larger quantities and a measuring spoon for smaller quantities.
- Level the ingredient with a spatula, knife, or another utensil with a flat edge.
- Pack moist ingredients, such as brown sugar, tightly into the cup.
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