Because we should always bake the way we are comfortable, sometimes we need to make conversions to recipes. I have tried to include both weights and cup measures in all my recipes where possible but it is always good to have a reference guide.
My preference is to use metric weight and liquid measures wherever possible, I believe it results in greater consistency of results and avoids any confusion over the amount. Because here in NZ and in Europe scales are much more common cup measures refer to US measurements. Whenever i say ‘cup’ in a recipe this is what I mean. A quick conversion back to metric if you don’t have a scale is ones US cup plus one tablespoon equals one metric cup.
But you should just go and buy a scale. Do it.
Basic Measures
- 1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 ml = 1/6 fluid ounces
- 1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 15 ml = 3 teaspoons = 1/2 fluid ounces
- 1 standard cup = 225 ml = 7.6 fluid ounces
- 1 US cup = 236 ml = 8 fluid ounces
- 1 metric cup = 250 ml = 8.5 fluid ounces
- 1 pint = 16 fluid ounces
- 1 pound = 16 ounces
- 1 quart = 2 pints = 32 fluid ounces
- 1 kilogram = 1,000 grams
- 1 litre = 1,000 millilitres = 4 metric cups
Metric and US Conversions
Standard conversions between US and metric weights are:
- 1 ounce (oz) = 28 grams
- 100 grams (gm) = 3.6 ounces
- 1 pound (lb) = 450 grams
- 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds
Standard conversions between US and metric volumes are:
- 1 fluid ounce (fl oz) = 30 millilitres
- 100 millilitres (ml) = 3.4 fluid ounces
- 1 pint (pt) = 473 millilitres
- 1 metric cup = 8.5 fluid ounces
- 1 quart (qt) = 946 millilitres
- 1 litre (l) = 33.8 fluid ounces or 2.1 pints
