How Many Ounces in a Cup

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

• How many grams in an ounce

Frequently Asked Questions