Need an instant calculation for how many ounces are in a cup? Want to convert tablespoons into cups? Know the difference between fluid ounces and dry ounces? Here is the ultimate quick guide and measurement chart for working with recipes using both the metric and imperial system.
With so many recipes out there, it can be confusing to work with different measurements. Unfortunately, not all measurements are created equal.
While dry and liquid ingredient use similar terminology and equipment, there is a different formulation for each one. Dry measurements refer to the weight, while liquid measurements take into consideration the volume of liquid.
Sure, there are plenty of online calculators out there that can provide you with one or two answers, they aren’t comprehensive or easy to read. Here, you can quickly convert ounces to cups for all your favorite recipes using both the metric and imperial systems.
What equipment you’ll need for measuring?
For measuring the liquid and dry ingredients, you must have the following three tools:
Granulated measuring cups
These cups are used for measuring the dry ingredients. If you want to measure flour with granulated measuring cups, sieve it before adding it for measurement. This is essential for an accurate measurement.
Although most package flours have already been sieved, they often get shaken up and move around during shipping. As a precaution, it’s always best to sieve once more before measuring.
For complete accuracy, use the spoon and scrape method. Once you’ve added the sieved flour to the cup, scrape the top with a spoon to remove excess flour. This is essential for baking recipes and desserts like cakes and muffins.
Liquid measuring cups
If the ingredient is a fluid or liquid, liquid measuring cups are used. These can come in both plastic or glass, and are used to measure cups, ounces, and millimetres. This is great for portioning out chili or soup.
Measuring spoons
For tablespoon and teaspoon measurements, measuring spoons are used.
How many fluid ounces are in a cup?
Remember the measurements next time you’re counting ounces in a cup:
- 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces, 16 tablespoons
- ¾ cup = 6 fluid ounces, 12 tablespoons
- ½ cup = 4 fluid ounces, 8 tablespoons
- ¼ cup = 2 fluid ounces, 4 tablespoons
- 1 cup = 4.5 dry weight ounces (It’s for dry ingredients such as flour)
Please note that not all ingredient measurements are equal. For example, if you need 4 ounces of coconut milk to make a smoothie or 4 ounces of chocolate chips for chocolate chip cookies, the measurement would be different in both cases.
Dry and liquid ounces are not the same, so if you’re dealing with dry ingredients, you’ll measure it by weight. If using liquid ingredients, we measure them in fluid ounces.
There is a significant difference between fluid and dry ounces, so always check the ingredients and accurately measure before making any recipe.
How many dry ounces are in a cup?
Unlike liquid ingredients, a cup of a dry ingredient will contain different ounces. The measurement with dry ingredients directly depends on the type of the ingredient. Here are some examples of common ingredients and how much they differ-
- 1 cup of fresh parsley = 1 ounce
- 1 cup of flour = 4 ¼ ounces
- Air popped popcorn = 3 ounces
- Chocolate chips = 6 ounces
Try this handy tool to know the ounces in cups for hundreds of other dry ingredients.
Liquid fluid or volume (Liquid vs dry measuring cups)
The measurements for liquid fluid and volume differ. Here is a handy comparison below-
For liquid fluid
US Standard = Metric (approximate)
- ⅛ teaspoon = 0.5 mL
- ¼ teaspoon = 1.2 mL
- ½ teaspoon = 2.5 mL
- ¾ teaspoon = 3.7 mL
- 1 teaspoon = ⅓ tablespoon = 5 mL
- 1 tablespoon = ½ fluid ounce = 3 teaspoons = 15 mL, 15 cc
- 2 tablespoons = 1 fluid ounce = ⅛ cup, 6 teaspoons = 30 mL, 30 cc
- ¼ cup = 2 fluid ounces = 4 tablespoons = 59 mL
- ⅓ cup = 2 ⅔ fluid ounces = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon = 79 mL
- ½ cup = 4 fluid ounces = 8 tablespoons = 118 mL
- ⅔ cup = 5 ⅓ fluid ounces = 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons = 158 mL
- ¾ cup = 6 fluid ounces = 12 tablespoons = 177 mL
- 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = ½ pint = 16 tablespoons = 237 mL
- 1 ½ cups = 12 fluid ounces = 24 tablespoons = 355 mL
- 2 cups = 16 fluid ounces = 1 pint = 32 tablespoons = 473 mL
- 3 cups = 700 mL
- 4 cups = 32 fluid ounces = 1 quart = 946 ml = 1 L
- 8 cups = ½ gallon = 2 L
- 1 gallon = 128 fluid ounces = 8 pints = 4 quarts = 3785 ml = 4 L
For dry weight
US Standard = Metric (approximate)
- ½ ounce = 15 grams
- 1 ounce = 30 grams
- 2 ounces = 60 grams
- 3 ounces = 85 grams
- 4 ounces = ¼ pound = 115 grams
- 8 ounces = ½ pound = 225 grams
- 12 ounces = ¾ pound = 340 grams
- 16 ounces = 1 pound = 455 grams
British vs American measuring cups
Cup measurements can also differ depending on what country you live in. British and American cups and ounce measurements also vary because they use different measurement systems. In the United States, they use the imperial system. Whereas, in the United Kingdom, and in many other countries, they use the metric system.
1 UK cup (metric system) = 250 ml
1 US cup (imperial system) = 240 ml
For accurate results when following recipes, always check to see which system they are using OR accurately measure using cups and spoons.
How many cups in 8 ounces?
A cup contains 8 fluid ounces.
- 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces
- ¾ cup = 6 fluid ounces
- ½ cup = 4 fluid ounces
- ¼ cup = 2 fluid ounces
Does 4 or 8 ounces equal one cup?
It is depends upon the dry or liquid ingredients used. For example, flour, a dry ingredient, contains 4 1/2 ounces. Water, a liquid ingredient, contains 8 fluid ounces.
- Dry measurement by weight: 8 ounces = ½ pound = 225 grams
Does 2 tablespoons equal 1 ounce?
2 tablespoons are equal to one fluid ounce.
- 2 tablespoons = 1 fluid ounce = 1/8 cup = 6 teaspoons = 30 mL, 30 cc
How many ounces equal half a cup?
There are four ounces in half a cup. This measurement is for liquid ingredients only.
More cooking resources
Frequently Asked Questions
A cup of water contains eight liquid ounces.
Soft and crumbly cheese (like feta or ricotta) has six ounces per cup.
A cup of flour has 4 1/2 ounces.
A cup of butter, measured in its solid state, has eight ounces of butter.
One cup of shredded cheese is equal to three ounces.
There are eight ounces in a cup of cooked rice.
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This measurement guide is a true treasure. Can’t thank u enough
Oh dear! I got really excited when I saw this post, Arman.
I try and convert and measure everything on my scales into grams, rather than ounces; as it works so well for me, (as long as I google for wet AND dry:).
However it is always a trial, as I never remember the CUP equivalents for the next time I do a new recipe.
If you had a conversion table for wet and dry cups into GRAMS I would never leave you!! Or if you or anyone can direct me to a web page that does, I would really appreciate it.
By the way, thank you for the brilliant recipes and ideas that you have given us. I love them!
Stay tuned, Jules- Coming up 🙂
Thank you very much for replying. I don’t do much other than emails; so I will keep my eyes peeled!