One of the most common challenges when cooking from international recipes is the difference in measurement systems. American recipes use cups, tablespoons, and fluid ounces, while most of the world uses millilitres and grams. This guide covers everything you need.
Volume Conversions
| US Measurement | Millilitres (ml) |
|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon (tsp) | 4.93 ml |
| 1 tablespoon (tbsp) | 14.79 ml |
| ¼ cup | 59.1 ml |
| ⅓ cup | 78.9 ml |
| ½ cup | 118.3 ml |
| 1 cup | 236.6 ml |
| 1 pint (US) | 473.2 ml |
| 1 quart (US) | 946.4 ml |
| 1 gallon (US) | 3,785 ml |
US vs Metric Cup
Note that a US cup = 236.6 ml, while an Australian/metric cup = 250 ml. This difference (about 5%) matters in baking. Always check which system your recipe uses.
Tablespoon Relationships
- 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons
- 1 cup = 16 tablespoons
- 1 cup = 48 teaspoons
- 1 fluid ounce = 2 tablespoons
Weight vs Volume in Cooking
Many ingredients are measured differently in different countries. Professional bakers and most international recipes use weight (grams) rather than volume (cups), as it is more accurate.
Common Ingredient Conversions
| Ingredient | 1 Cup (US) | Grams |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup | 125 g |
| Sugar (granulated) | 1 cup | 200 g |
| Butter | 1 cup | 227 g |
| Rice (uncooked) | 1 cup | 185 g |
| Milk | 1 cup | 240 g |
| Honey | 1 cup | 340 g |
Quick Kitchen Reference
- A standard coffee mug holds about 250–300 ml
- A standard soup spoon ≈ 1 tablespoon
- A standard teaspoon ≈ 5 ml