How many tablespoons in a cup?

16 US tablespoons = 1 US cup = 48 teaspoons. Australian tbsp = 20 mL; US tbsp = 14.79 mL.

What is a fan oven and how do I adjust the temperature?

Fan ovens circulate hot air. Reduce temperature by 20°C (36°F) OR reduce time by 15% vs conventional oven.

UK gas oven scale. Gas Mark 4 = 350°F = 180°C. Gas Mark 6 = 400°F = 200°C. Gas Mark 7 = 425°F = 220°C.

How much is 1 stick of butter?

1 US stick butter = ½ cup = 8 tablespoons = 113.4 g. 2 sticks = 1 cup = 227 g.

🍳 Cooking Conversions Calculator

Convert cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, ml, fl oz, °F to °C, gas marks, fan oven temps, oven to air fryer — with MathJax temperature formulas, US vs UK measure history, volume-to-weight ingredient charts, and the science of precision baking

Volume · Weight · Temperature · Air Fryer US · UK · Metric · Australian Oven → Air Fryer Converter Free & Instant

Amount From Unit

Result To Unit

1 Cup [US] = 236.588 mL

Formula: value × 236.588

💡 US vs Metric: \(1\,\text{US cup} = 236.588\,\text{mL}\) (exactly \(\tfrac{1}{16}\) US gallon). Metric cup = 250 mL (Australia, Canada, international nutrition labels). Practical baking tip: Use mL for liquids; weigh solids (flour, sugar, butter) in grams for reproducible results — volume packaging of flour varies up to 35% due to settling.

Amount From Unit

Result To Unit

1 lb = 453.592 g

Formula: value × 453.592

💡 Weight beats volume for baking: \(m = \rho \cdot V\) — 1 cup flour weighs 120–145 g depending on packing (density varies). A professional baker's 1 cup = exactly 125 g sifted flour, but a home cook may scoop 145 g. Always weigh when a recipe demands precision. Butter: 1 stick (US) = ½ cup = 113.4 g exactly.

Temperature From

Result To

350°F = 177°C / Gas Mark 4

Fan/Convection: 160°C (reduce by 20°C)

💡 Formula: \( {}^\circ\text{C} = ({}^\circ\text{F} - 32) \times \tfrac{5}{9} \) \( {}^\circ\text{F} = {}^\circ\text{C} \times \tfrac{9}{5} + 32 \). Fan/convection ovens: reduce conventional temperature by 20°C (36°F) OR reduce time by ~15%. Gas marks reference pure propane/butane combustion — calibrate your specific oven thermometer for best results.

Oven → Air Fryer Conversion: Air fryers use rapid-circulation convection. Standard rule: reduce oven temperature by 25°F (15°C) and cooking time by 20–25%.

Oven Temperature (°F)

Oven Cooking Time (minutes)

Air Fryer: 375°F / 191°C for 24 min

Oven: 400°F / 204°C for 30 min → −25°F, −20% time

💡 Air Fryer Formula: \( T_{\text{AF}} = T_{\text{oven}} - 25°\text{F} \) \( t_{\text{AF}} = t_{\text{oven}} \times 0.80 \). Preheat 3 min. Flip/shake food at halfway point. Do not overcrowd — air must circulate. Check food 2–3 min before estimated done time (air fryers vary by brand).

📖 How to Use This Cooking Conversions Calculator

1

Choose Your Conversion Type
Click the tab for Volume (cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, ml, fl oz, pints, gallons, gill, dash, pinch, drop), Weight (g, kg, oz, lb), Temperature (°F, °C, Gas Mark), or Air Fryer (oven → air fryer time and temp converter).
2

Enter Your Value
Type the amount from your recipe. For air fryer: enter both the oven temperature and cooking time separately — the calculator handles both conversions simultaneously.
3

Select Your Units
Choose from the full list including US, UK, metric, and Australian variants. The result appears instantly with the exact conversion formula shown below the result box.
4

Read the Result & Formula
The orange result box shows the converted value and exact formula. For temperatures, it also shows the fan/convection oven equivalent automatically.
5

Copy & Use
Click "📋 Copy Result" to copy to clipboard for use in digital recipe cards, shopping lists, or meal-prep apps.

📊 Kitchen Measurement Quick-Reference Charts

US Volume	Metric (mL)	Tablespoons	Teaspoons	Fluid Oz
1 cup	236.6 mL	16 tbsp	48 tsp	8 fl oz
¾ cup	177.4 mL	12 tbsp	36 tsp	6 fl oz
⅔ cup	157.7 mL	10⅔ tbsp	32 tsp	5⅓ fl oz
½ cup	118.3 mL	8 tbsp	24 tsp	4 fl oz
⅓ cup	78.9 mL	5⅓ tbsp	16 tsp	2⅔ fl oz
¼ cup	59.1 mL	4 tbsp	12 tsp	2 fl oz
1 tablespoon	14.79 mL	—	3 tsp	½ fl oz
1 teaspoon	4.93 mL	⅓ tbsp	—	⅙ fl oz
1 fl oz (US)	29.57 mL	2 tbsp	6 tsp	—

Description	°F	°C	°C (Fan)	Gas Mark
Very Cool / Warm	200°F	93°C	73°C	¼
Very Low	250°F	121°C	101°C	½
Low	300°F	149°C	129°C	2
Moderate	350°F	177°C	157°C	4
Moderately Hot	375°F	191°C	171°C	5
Hot	400°F	204°C	184°C	6
Very Hot	425°F	218°C	198°C	7
Very Hot	450°F	232°C	212°C	8
Extremely Hot	475°F	246°C	226°C	9

🌡️ Temperature Conversion Formulas — °F, °C, Gas Mark & Fan Oven

Oven Temperature Conversions — Exact Formulas

\( {}^\circ\text{C} = ({}^\circ\text{F} - 32) \times \frac{5}{9} \qquad \Leftrightarrow \qquad {}^\circ\text{F} = {}^\circ\text{C} \times \frac{9}{5} + 32 \)

\( \text{Gas Mark} \approx \frac{{}^\circ\text{F} - 250}{25} \qquad \text{(approximate — calibrate your oven)} \)

\( {}^\circ\text{C}_{\text{fan}} = {}^\circ\text{C}_{\text{conventional}} - 20 \qquad \text{(fan/convection reduction)} \)

\( t_{\text{fan}} \approx t_{\text{conventional}} \times 0.85 \qquad \text{(fan oven time reduction ≈ 15\%)} \)

Fahrenheit/Celsius relationship: exact by definition (\(\Delta 1\,{}^\circ\text{F} = \Delta 5/9\,{}^\circ\text{C}\)). The Fahrenheit scale was defined in 1724 by Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (0°F = brine/ice/ammonium chloride mixture; 96°F = human body temperature — later adjusted). The Celsius scale (1742) is defined by 0°C = water freezing, 100°C = water boiling at 1 atm. Gas Mark 1 ≈ 275°F ≈ 140°C; each mark increments by ~25°F.

📌 Worked Example — Recipe Temperature Conversion (US → UK → Fan)

Problem: A US recipe calls for 375°F. Convert to Celsius, Gas Mark, and fan oven temperature.

Celsius: \( {}^\circ\text{C} = (375 - 32) \times \tfrac{5}{9} = 343 \times 0.5556 = \mathbf{190.6°C} \approx 190°C \)

Gas Mark: \( (375 - 250) \div 25 = 125 \div 25 = \mathbf{5} \) (Gas Mark 5 — "Moderately Hot")

Fan/Convection: \( 190 - 20 = \mathbf{170°C\,\text{fan}} \) (reduce by 20°C) OR reduce time by 15%: if recipe says 40 min → 40 × 0.85 ≈ 34 min fan

Air Fryer: \( 375 - 25 = \mathbf{350°F} \) (177°C) for \( 40 \times 0.80 = \mathbf{32\,\text{min}} \)

🥄 The History of Cups & Spoons — Why Kitchen Measurements Are So Confusing

Kitchen measurement is one of the most confusing unit systems in everyday life — and for a very understandable reason: cooking evolved differently in every country over centuries, and national standardisation happened independently (and inconsistently). The result is that a "cup," a "tablespoon," a "pint," and a "fluid ounce" all mean different things depending on whether the recipe is from the US, UK, Australia, or Canada. Knowing exactly how these systems differ is essential for producing reliable results when following international recipes.

The US measuring cup (236.588 mL = ½ US pint = ¼ US quart = 1/16 US gallon) was standardised in the 1890s by Fannie Farmer of the Boston Cooking School, who pioneered the idea of level measurements — using the back of a knife to level off the cup — rather than the imprecise "heaped" measurements of earlier recipe books. This standardisation was revolutionary for home baking and transformed American cooking from a craft of experience into a science any home cook could follow.

⚠️ The critical US vs UK vs Metric cup difference:
• US cup = 236.588 mL (= ½ US liquid pint = 8 US fl oz)
• Metric cup = 250 mL (used in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, international nutrition labelling)
• UK cup = 284.131 mL (= ½ UK pint = rare in modern UK recipes; UK now uses mL/g)
Using the wrong cup can create a 6–20% error in liquid measurements, which in baking can mean the difference between a perfect loaf and a dense brick.

US Volume Measurement Hierarchy — Exact Relationships

\( 1\,\text{US gal} = 4\,\text{qt} = 8\,\text{pt} = 16\,\text{cups} = 32\,\text{gill} = 128\,\text{fl oz} = 256\,\text{tbsp} = 768\,\text{tsp} \)

\( 1\,\text{cup (US)} = 236.588\,\text{mL} \quad 1\,\text{tbsp (US)} = 14.787\,\text{mL} \quad 1\,\text{tsp (US)} = 4.929\,\text{mL} \)

\( 1\,\text{cup (metric)} = 250\,\text{mL} \quad 1\,\text{tbsp (metric)} = 15\,\text{mL} \quad 1\,\text{tsp (metric)} = 5\,\text{mL} \)

\( 1\,\text{tbsp (AU)} = 20\,\text{mL} \quad \text{(35\% larger than US tbsp — major recipe discrepancy)} \)

\( \text{Dash} \approx \tfrac{1}{8}\,\text{tsp} \approx 0.616\,\text{mL} \quad \text{Pinch} \approx \tfrac{1}{16}\,\text{tsp} \approx 0.308\,\text{mL} \quad \text{Smidgen} \approx \tfrac{1}{32}\,\text{tsp} \approx 0.154\,\text{mL} \)

All US chain: 1 cup = 231/16 in³ = 14.4375 in³ = 236.5882365 mL (exact from 1 US gallon = 231 in³ exact, 1 in = 25.4 mm exact). Australian tablespoon = 20 mL (standardised 1970) — if you follow a recipe that uses tbsp and doesn't specify country, an AU tablespoon adds 35% more per spoon than US, which can ruin seasoning-critical dishes.

🧁 Weight vs Volume in Baking — Why Grams Always Win

Volume-to-Weight Conversion — Key Ingredients

\( m = \rho \times V \qquad \text{where } \rho = \text{ingredient density (g/mL)} \)

\( 1\,\text{cup flour (sifted)} \approx 113\,\text{g} \quad 1\,\text{cup flour (spooned)} \approx 125\,\text{g} \quad 1\,\text{cup flour (packed)} \approx 145\,\text{g} \)

\( 1\,\text{cup sugar (granulated)} = 200\,\text{g} \quad 1\,\text{cup sugar (powdered)} = 120\,\text{g} \quad 1\,\text{cup brown sugar} = 220\,\text{g} \)

\( 1\,\text{cup butter} = 2\,\text{sticks} = 227\,\text{g} = 8\,\text{oz} \quad 1\,\text{stick (US)} = 113.4\,\text{g} = \tfrac{1}{2}\,\text{cup} \)

\( 1\,\text{cup water/milk} \approx 240\,\text{g} \quad 1\,\text{cup honey} \approx 340\,\text{g} \quad 1\,\text{cup oil} \approx 218\,\text{g} \)

Rule: water density ≈ 1 g/mL (exact at 4°C, 0.9982 at 20°C). Honey density ≈ 1.4 g/mL. Oil ≈ 0.92 g/mL. Bread flour density (packed) ≈ 0.61 g/mL. Cocoa powder ≈ 0.42–0.52 g/mL (highly variable). Use a digital scale for baking, especially for flour, leavening agents, and cocoa — these are the ingredients where measurement accuracy most affects gluten development and leavening.

🍟 The Science Behind Air Fryer Conversions

The air fryer is essentially a compact convection oven. A powerful fan circulates hot air at high velocity around the food in a small basket, achieving very efficient heat transfer. Understanding the physics of why air fryer cooking is faster and requires lower temperature than a conventional oven helps you make better conversion judgements — not just follow the 25°F/20% rule mechanically.

Air Fryer vs Oven — Conversion Rules

\( T_{\text{AF}}[°\text{F}] = T_{\text{oven}} - 25 \qquad T_{\text{AF}}[°\text{C}] = T_{\text{oven}}[°\text{C}] - 15 \)

\( t_{\text{AF}} = t_{\text{oven}} \times 0.80 \qquad \text{(reduce time by 20\%)} \)

\( \text{Heat transfer rate: } Q = h A \Delta T \qquad \text{(Newton's law of cooling)} \)

\( h_{\text{air fryer}} \gg h_{\text{conventional}} \quad \text{(forced convection coefficient much higher than natural convection)} \)

\(h\) = convective heat transfer coefficient (W/m²·K) · \(A\) = surface area of food (m²) · \(\Delta T\) = temperature difference (K) · Air fryer \(h \approx 50–200\,\text{W/m}^2\text{K}\) vs conventional oven \(h \approx 5–15\,\text{W/m}^2\text{K}\). The ~10× higher convective coefficient explains faster cooking and better crisping — moisture evaporates rapidly from food surface, enabling the Maillard reaction (browning) at lower overall temperatures.

🍗

Chicken & Meat

Chicken breast: oven 400°F/30 min → AF 375°F/24 min
Chicken wings: oven 425°F/45 min → AF 400°F/36 min
Salmon fillet: oven 400°F/12 min → AF 375°F/10 min
Always use a meat thermometer: chicken 165°F (74°C) internal

🥔

Vegetables & Sides

Chips/fries: oven 425°F/35 min → AF 400°F/20 min
Broccoli: oven 400°F/20 min → AF 375°F/10 min
Brussels sprouts: oven 400°F/25 min → AF 375°F/18 min
Shake basket every 5–8 minutes for even crisping

🧁

Baking in Air Fryer

Muffins: oven 375°F/20 min → AF 350°F/16 min
Use silicone moulds or parchment-lined pans
Reduce batter by 20–30% per batch (smaller basket)
Air fryer baking may brown tops faster — check early

🌡️

Key Safety Temperatures

Chicken: 165°F (74°C) internal — USDA safe
Pork/beef (whole cuts): 145°F (63°C) + 3 min rest
Ground meat: 160°F (71°C)
Fish: 145°F (63°C) or opaque and flakes easily

🔄 Common Ingredient Conversions & Substitutions

Ingredient	1 cup (volume)	Grams (g)	Ounces (oz)	Notes
All-purpose flour	1 cup US	120–125 g	4.2–4.4 oz	Spooned & levelled; sifted = 110 g
Bread flour	1 cup US	127 g	4.5 oz	Higher protein; pack differently
Cake flour	1 cup US	100 g	3.5 oz	Sifted; finer than AP
Granulated white sugar	1 cup US	200 g	7.05 oz	Consistent; weighs reliably
Powdered / icing sugar	1 cup US	120 g	4.2 oz	Sifted; clumps easily
Brown sugar (packed)	1 cup US	220 g	7.75 oz	Firmly packed into cup
Butter (unsalted)	1 cup US = 2 sticks	227 g	8 oz	1 stick = ½ cup = 113.4 g
Milk / water	1 cup US	~240 g	~8.5 oz	Density ≈ 1.00 g/mL
Honey	1 cup US	~340 g	~12 oz	Density ≈ 1.40 g/mL
Vegetable oil	1 cup US	~218 g	~7.7 oz	Density ≈ 0.92 g/mL
Rolled oats	1 cup US	90 g	3.2 oz	Very low bulk density
Rice (uncooked white)	1 cup US	185 g	6.5 oz	Yields ~3 cups cooked

Written & Reviewed by Num8ers Editorial Team — Culinary Science, Food Technology, Metrology & Kitchen Chemistry Specialists Last updated: April 2026 · Volume units: 1 US cup = 231/16 in³ = 236.5882365 mL (exact from US gallon definition). 1 metric cup = 250 mL (exact). Metric tablespoon = 15 mL (exact). Australian tablespoon = 20 mL (Standards Australia HB 2-2006). Temperature: °C/°F formula exact by SI definition. Fan oven −20°C recommendation per AEG/Electrolux/Bosch appliance guidelines and UK Good Housekeeping Institute standards. Air fryer rule (−25°F, −20% time) per Instant Pot, Ninja, and COSORI manufacturer guidelines.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions — Cooking Conversions

How many ml in a cup? (US vs metric vs UK)

US cup = 236.588 mL (= ½ US liquid pint, exactly 1/16 of 231 in³ US gallon). Metric cup = 250 mL (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, international nutrition). UK cup = 284.131 mL (= ½ UK pint — rarely used in modern UK recipes which now state mL or grams). When in doubt, assume US cup for American recipes. If a recipe labels itself "metric" (many Australian recipes), use 250 mL.

How many tablespoons are in a cup?

16 US tablespoons = 1 US cup (= 48 teaspoons = 8 fluid ounces). Useful fractions: ½ cup = 8 tbsp; ¼ cup = 4 tbsp; ⅓ cup = 5⅓ tbsp (≈ 5 tbsp + 1 tsp). Note: Australian tablespoon = 20 mL (vs US = 14.79 mL), so an Australian recipe using "16 tbsp" = 320 mL, not 237 mL. Always check recipe origin when tablespoon amounts seem unusually high.

How do I convert °F to °C for oven cooking?

Formula: °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9 (exact). Useful memorised benchmarks: 250°F = 121°C (very low), 300°F = 149°C (low), 350°F = 177°C (moderate — most common baking), 375°F = 191°C, 400°F = 204°C (hot), 425°F = 218°C (very hot), 450°F = 232°C (extremely hot). Quick mental estimate: subtract 30, then halve — e.g., 400°F: 400−30=370, 370/2=185°C (actual: 204°C — rough but fast).

What is a fan oven and how do I adjust temperature?

A fan (convection) oven has an internal fan that circulates hot air, heating food more evenly and efficiently than a conventional static oven. Adjustment: reduce temperature by 20°C (36°F), OR reduce cooking time by approximately 15% at the same temperature. Either method works; time reduction is better for delicate bakes. Most modern European and UK ovens are fan ovens; most older US ranges are conventional. Always check the manufacturer's oven guide — actual fan performance varies.

How do I convert oven recipes to air fryer?

Standard rule: reduce temperature by 25°F (15°C) AND reduce time by 20%. The formula is \(T_\text{AF} = T_\text{oven} - 25°F\) and \(t_\text{AF} = t_\text{oven} \times 0.80\). Example: oven 400°F for 30 min → air fryer 375°F for 24 min. Always preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes. Shake or flip food at the halfway point. Do not overcrowd — air must circulate freely, so cook in batches if needed. Check food 2–3 minutes early since air fryer wattage and basket size vary by brand.

What is Gas Mark and how does it convert to °C?

Gas Mark is used in the UK and Ireland for gas hob ovens. Gas Mark 1 ≈ 275°F ≈ 140°C; Gas Mark 4 = 350°F = 180°C; Gas Mark 7 = 425°F = 220°C. Each mark increments by approximately 25°F (14°C). Gas Mark ½ ≈ 250°F ≈ 121°C. Modern gas ovens often have both gas mark and °C scales on the dial — if in doubt, use the °C setting with our temperature calculator above.

How much does 1 cup of flour weigh in grams?

1 US cup of all-purpose flour = 120–125 g (spooned and levelled). Packed: up to 145 g (+20%). Sifted first: as low as 100–113 g. This 30–45% variability is why professional bakers always weigh flour in grams. For baking reliability: use 120–125 g per cup for AP flour. Bread flour: 127 g/cup. Cake flour: 100 g/cup. Whole wheat flour: 130 g/cup.

How many teaspoons in a tablespoon?

3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon in all major measurement systems. US: 3 × 4.929 mL = 14.787 mL/tbsp. Metric: 3 × 5 mL = 15 mL/tbsp. Australian: 4 × 5 mL = 20 mL/tbsp (exception — 4 tsp per AU tbsp). The relationship "3 tsp = 1 tbsp" is one of the most useful kitchen conversions to memorise. Cutting a recipe in thirds means converting tbsp back to tsp: 1 tbsp ÷ 3 = 1 tsp.

How do I convert a slow cooker recipe to the oven?

Slow cooker Low 8 hours ≈ Oven 325°F (160°C) for 4 hours. Slow cooker High 4 hours ≈ Oven 325°F (160°C) for 2 hours. Key adjustments: (1) Add 20% more liquid as oven evaporates moisture (slow cookers trap steam). (2) Use a Dutch oven or covered casserole dish. (3) Consider browning meat first in the oven for Maillard reaction flavour (slow cookers can't brown). (4) Root vegetables take longer in ovens — add them in the last hour if large.

What is the difference between US and UK fluid ounces?

US fl oz = 29.5735 mL. UK (imperial) fl oz = 28.4131 mL. They differ by about 4%. The US fluid ounce is larger. A US 8 fl oz cup = 236.6 mL; a UK 8 fl oz (rare — UK uses pints not cups) = 227.3 mL. The UK pint = 20 fl oz = 568.3 mL; US pint = 16 fl oz = 473.2 mL. UK pint is 20% larger. When a UK recipe says "1 pint of milk," it means 568 mL, not 473 mL.

How do I measure butter without a scale?

US butter comes in sticks: 1 stick = ½ cup = 8 tablespoons = 113.4 g. 2 sticks = 1 cup = 227 g. Sticks have tablespoon measurement marks on the wrapper. European/UK butter is sold as 250 g blocks without tablespoon markings — use a scale. Equivalents: 1 tablespoon butter = 14.2 g. 100 g butter = 7 tablespoons = just under ½ cup. Room-temperature butter packs more easily into a measuring cup than cold butter.

How accurate are these cooking conversions?

Volume conversions are mathematically precise (e.g., 1 US cup = 236.5882365 mL from exact US gallon definition). However, volume-to-weight conversions are ingredient-specific and packing-dependent. Water: exact (1 mL = ~1 g). Flour: variable ±20%. Sugar: reliable (200 g/cup). Always use a digital kitchen scale for baking ingredients; use measuring cups/spoons for liquids and spices where small variations are acceptable.

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