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 ingredients use similar terminology and equipment, each has a different formulation. Dry measurements refer to the weight, while liquid measurements consider the volume of liquid.
Sure, plenty of online calculators can provide you with one or two answers; however, 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.
Table of Contents
Ounces vs. Cups
An ounce is a smaller unit of measure used to weigh out volume, weight, and mass. It measures small quantities of ingredients in recipes or the specific weight of a certain item.
On the other hand, cups are kitchen tools used to accurately measure and portion out dry or liquid ingredients for cooking and baking. They typically come in sets with various cup and spoon sizes, ensuring precise measurements.
In the US, one cup equals 1/2 of a US pint.
In the metric system, 1 metric cup is 250 ml.
Converting ounces to cups
Here is what you need to know to understand how many ounces are in one cup and more:
- 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces
- ¾ cup = 6 fluid ounces
- ½ cup = 4 fluid ounces
- ¼ cup = 2 fluid ounces
Below is a conversion chart for converting between ounces and cups for liquid ingredients. We’ve rounded these to the nearest whole number for simplicity.
| Ounces (fl oz) | Cups | Milliliters (mL) | Tablespoons (Tbsp) |
| 2 fl oz | 1/4 cup | 59 mL | 4 Tbsp |
| 2 2/3 fl oz | 1/3 cup | 79 mL | 5 Tbsp |
| 4 fl oz | 1/2 cup | 118 mL | 8 Tbsp |
| 5 1/3 fl oz | 2/3 cup | 158 mL | 10 Tbsp |
| 6 fl oz | 3/4 cup | 177 mL | 12 Tbsp |
| 8 fl oz | 1 cup | 237 mL | 16 Tbsp |
| 12 fl oz | 1 1/2 cups | 355 mL | 24 Tbsp |
| 16 fl oz | 2 cups | 474 mL | 32 Tbsp |
| 32 fl oz | 4 cups | 948 mL | 64 Tbsp |
| 64 fl oz | 8 cups | 1896 mL | 128 Tbsp |
Unlike liquid ingredients, a cup of dry ingredients will contain different ounces. The measurement with dry ingredients directly depends on the type of the ingredient. Here is a helpful conversion chart for converting between ounces and cups for dry ingredients.
| Ounces (oz) | Grams (g) | Pounds (lb) |
| 1/2 ounce | 15 grams | 0.03125 pounds |
| 1 ounce | 28 grams | 0.0625 pounds |
| 2 ounces | 56 grams | 0.125 pounds |
| 3 ounces | 85 grams | 0.1875 pounds |
| 4 ounces | 113 grams | 0.25 pounds |
| 5 ounces | 142 grams | 0.3125 pounds |
| 8 ounces | 226 grams | 0.5 pounds |
| 10 ounces | 283 grams | 0.625 pounds |
| 12 ounces | 340 grams | 0.75 pounds |
| 15 ounces | 425 grams | 0.9375 pounds |
Try this handy tool to know the ounces in cups for hundreds of other dry ingredients.
What equipment you’ll need for measuring?
Three key sets of equipment are needed to measure the liquid and dry ingredients. These include granulated cups, liquid cups, and measuring spoons.
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
Liquid measuring cups are used if the ingredient is a fluid or liquid. These can come in both plastic or glass and are used to measure cups, ounces, and milliliters. This is great for portioning out milk in a cake or water in a smoothie.
Measuring spoons
For tablespoon and teaspoon measurements, measuring spoons are used.
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.
More cooking resources
- How many grams in an ounce
- How many teaspoons in a tablespoon
- How many grams in a cup
- How many tablespoons in a cup
- How many liters in a gallon
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.
A cup contains 8 fluid ounces.
2 tablespoons are equal to one fluid ounce.
There are four ounces in half a cup. This measurement is for liquid ingredients only.
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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!