Cooking Converter
Cups measure volume, grams measure weight — so the conversion depends entirely on the ingredient. Pick yours below.
- Ounces
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- Millilitres
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- Tablespoons
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Why one cup is not one weight
A cup measures volume, so its weight depends entirely on what you put in it. A US cup of water weighs 237 g, a cup of plain flour about 125 g, and a cup of honey about 336 g — the same space, nearly three times the weight. This is why serious baking recipes give grams: scooping flour compacts it, and two cooks measuring "one cup of flour" can differ by 20% or more. A digital scale removes the problem entirely.
One US cup of common ingredients
| Ingredient | Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 237 g | 8.3 oz |
| Plain flour | 125 g | 4.4 oz |
| Granulated sugar | 201 g | 7.1 oz |
| Brown sugar, packed | 220 g | 7.8 oz |
| Icing sugar | 121 g | 4.3 oz |
| Butter | 227 g | 8.0 oz |
| Honey | 336 g | 11.9 oz |
| Rolled oats | 95 g | 3.3 oz |
| Cocoa powder | 99 g | 3.5 oz |
| Rice, uncooked | 189 g | 6.7 oz |
These assume the spoon-and-level method: spoon the ingredient into the cup and level the top with a knife. Scooping directly from the bag compacts flour and can add 20–25%.
Not all cups are the same size
| Cup | Millilitres | Used in |
|---|---|---|
| US legal cup | 240 ml | US nutrition labelling |
| US customary cup | 236.6 ml | US recipes |
| Metric cup | 250 ml | UK, Australia, New Zealand |
| Japanese cup | 200 ml | Japanese recipes |
The Australian tablespoon is another trap: it holds 20 ml against the US and UK 15 ml, a 33% difference that matters for raising agents and salt.
Oven temperature chart
| Celsius | Fahrenheit | Gas mark | Fan oven | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 135 °C | 275 °F | 1 | 115 °C | Very cool |
| 150 °C | 300 °F | 2 | 130 °C | Cool |
| 165 °C | 325 °F | 3 | 145 °C | Warm |
| 180 °C | 350 °F | 4 | 160 °C | Moderate |
| 190 °C | 375 °F | 5 | 170 °C | Fairly hot |
| 200 °C | 400 °F | 6 | 180 °C | Fairly hot |
| 220 °C | 425 °F | 7 | 200 °C | Hot |
| 230 °C | 450 °F | 8 | 210 °C | Very hot |
How to use the Cooking Converter
- Choose cups to grams for ingredient weights, volume only for liquid measures, or oven temperature.
- Enter the amount and pick the unit.
- For weights, select the ingredient — the conversion changes with it.
Frequently asked questions
How many grams is a cup of flour?
About 125 g for plain flour, using the spoon-and-level method. Scooping straight from the bag compacts it and can give 150 g or more, which is why bread and cake recipes go wrong when converted carelessly.
How many tablespoons in a cup?
Sixteen US tablespoons make one US cup. Note that Australian tablespoons are 20 ml rather than 15 ml, so an Australian cup is about 12.5 tablespoons.
Why do my baking results vary with cup measures?
Because volume measurement of dry ingredients is inherently imprecise — how you fill the cup changes the weight substantially. Weighing removes this variability, which is why professional recipes are written in grams.
How much cooler should a fan oven be?
Usually 20 °C lower than a conventional oven, since circulating air transfers heat more efficiently. Some manufacturers suggest reducing the time by about 10% instead.
Is a US cup the same as a UK cup?
No. A US customary cup is 236.6 ml and a metric cup used in the UK and Australia is 250 ml — about 6% larger. Both are in the converter above.
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Last reviewed September 4, 2026. Results are estimates for general information only.