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Important Weights, Measures, Conversion Tables, and Rules of Thumb

Below are some useful weights, measures, and equivalents that come in handy in the kitchen.

Beware! When ounces are called for with liquids it means by volume as in a measuring cup, but when ounces are called for in solids it means by weight. So a recipe that calls for 4 ounces of grated cheese that's not the same as half a cup which will weight only 2 ounces.

Dry measurements

Remember these are all leveled at the top which means that a tablespoon has a level top, not a big round hill in the center and valleys along the edges.

1 pinch = about 1/16 teaspoon = the amount you can hold between your thumb and two fingers
1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons
1 ounce = 28 grams
1 pound = 16 ounces = 454 grams
1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds
8 quarts = 1 peck
4 pecks = 1 bushel

Cheese
1 pound cheese = about 4.5 cups shredded
1 cup shredded cheese = about 4 ounces by weight

Chocolate
1 cup cocoa = 1/4 pound
1 ounce chocolate = 1/4 cup grated
1 cup chocolate chips = 6 ounces by weight

Salt
1 tablespoon Morton's table salt
= 1.5 tablespoons Morton's Kosher Salt
= 1.8 tablespoons Morton's Pickling Salt
= 2 tablespoons Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
= 3-4 or more tablespoons of sea salt
1 cup table salt = 8 ounces by weight

Sugars
1 cup white sugar = 8 ounces by weight
1 cup packed brown sugar = 6 ounces by weight = 250 grams by weight
= 1 cup white sugar + 2 tablespoons molasses = 1 cup of light brown sugar + 1 tablespoon molasses
1 cup honey = 3/4 cup sugar + 1/4 cup water
1 cup corn syrup = 1 cup sugar dissolved in 1/4 cup water

Flour
1 cup flour = 5 ounces by weight = 250 grams
1 tablespoon flour for thickening = 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch

Pasta, rice, popcorn
1 cup uncooked spaghetti = about 4 cups cooked and drained
1 cup uncooked macaroni = 3 cups cooked and drained
1 cup uncooked white rice = 1/2 pound + 2 cups boiling water = 3 cups cooked
1 cup brown whole grain rice = 1/2 pound 2.25 cups boiling water = 4 cups of cooked rice
1/4 cup popcorn = 5 cups cooked

Garlic
Small clove of garlic = about 1/2 teaspoon
Medium clove = about 1 teaspoon = 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Large clove = about 1.5 teaspoons
Extra-large clove = about 2 teaspoons
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder = about 1 medium clove fresh garlic

Beans
1 can of beans = 15 ounces undrained = about 10 ounces drained = 1/4 pound dried beans
1 pound dried beans = about 2 cups dried beans = about 5 cups soaked beans
= about 7 cups cooked beans = 4 cans drained beans

Mushrooms
1 pound trimmed = about 5 cups chopped
4 ounces trimmed = about 1 cup chopped
1 pound trimmed chopped or sliced = about 2 cups sautéed

Safffron
1 gram of saffron = about 450 stigmas (a.k.a. threads, strings, strands, or pieces)
= 2 teaspoons of whole saffron threads
= 1 teaspoon crumbled
= 1/2 teaspoon powdered

Herbs
3 parts fresh herbs = 1 part dried

Wet measurements

On this and most other cooking websites, volumetric measurements like tablespoons, teaspoons, and cups are almost always level measurements. That means the top of the teaspoon is leveled flat when filled.

1 dash = about 3 drops = about 1/16 teaspoon
1 pint = 2 cups = 1 pound (a pint's a pound the world around)
1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups = 32 fluid ounces = 0.95 liters
1 gallon = 4 quarts = 128 fluid ounces = 3.785 liters = 3785 cubic centimeters
1 liter = 100 centiliters = 1000 milliliters = 34 fluid ounces = 1.01 quarts

Cream
Light cream = 18% butterfat
Light whipping cream = 26-30% butterfat
Heavy cream = whipping cream = 36% or more butterfat
Double cream = extra-thick double cream = clotted or Devonshire cream = 42% butterfat
1 cup cream = 3/4 cup milk + 1/4 cup unsalted butter (use only in cooking)
1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup plain yogurt = 2 tablespoons lemon juice + 1 cup milk
1 cup half and half = 1/2 cup cream + 1/2 cup milk

Eggs
1 large egg = 2 ounces by volume = 3 tablespoons
1 large egg's white = 2 tablespoons
1 large egg yolk = 1 tablespoon

Temperature

Click here for the ultimate meat temperature guide.

Conversion formulae
Celsius or Centigrade = (Fahrenheit - 32) / 1.8
Fahrenheit = (Celsius x 1.8) + 32C = (F - 32) / 1.8

Important temperature equivalents
400F = 204C = hot oven
350F = 177C
300F = 149C
250F = 121C
225F = 107C = ideal smoke roasting temperature
212F = 100C = water boils
180F = 82C
170F = 77C
160F = 71C
68F = 20C = room temperature
32F = 0C = water freezes
0F = -18C

Gas grill settings

These are very approximate measures because there is no official standard and actual temperature can vary significantly depending on ambient temperature, wine, and rain. These are estimates for a 70F day.

Dial setting 1 = 275F = 140C
Dial setting 2 = 300F = 150C
Dial setting 3 = 325F = 165C
Dial setting 4 = 350F = 180C
Dial setting 5 = 375F = 190C
Dial setting 6 = 400F = 200C
Dial setting 7 = 415F = 213C
Dial setting 8 = 430F = 221C
Dial setting 9 =445F = 229C
Dial setting 10 = 455F = 235C

Distances

1 centimeter = 0.4 inches
1 meter = 100 centimeters = 1000 millimeters = 3.28 feet
1 inch = 25.4 millimeters = 2.54 centimeters
1 foot = 0.305 meters

Other useful measurements

1 stick of butter = 8 tablespoons = 4 ounces = 1/2 cup by volume = 1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 parts fresh herbs = 1 part dried (most of the time)
1 packet active dry yeast = 2.25 teaspoons
1 tablespoon mustard = 1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 slice bread = 1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 cup tomato juice = 1/2 cup tomato sauce + 1/2 cup water
1 medium lemon = 2-3 tablespoons of juice = 1-1.5 ounces
1 medium orange = 7 tablespoons juice
1 pound tomatoes = 1.5 cups chopped
1 large onion = about 1 cup chopped
1 medium apple = about 1/2 cup slices or chopped
A classic vinaigrette is 3 parts oil and 1 part vinegar
Figure 100 square inches of cooking surface per person whe buying a grill

If you can't find a conversion you need on this page, you might try here.

This page was revised 10/20/2009

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