TOP
Metric scale

Metric Conversions

Using Metric measurements

Americans have a habit of writing recipes using volumetric measurements for dry ingredients instead of measuring by weight — a tablespoon of chopped parsley, 1/2 cup of grated cheese, etc. Even our butter is sold by the pound on the box but divided into tablespoons on the wrapper. We’re definitely guilty of this as well. It’s how we were taught and it works… for the most part. But it wouldn’t kill us to break out a scale once in awhile.

And while we’re weighing dry ingredients correctly, doesn’t it make more sense to use the best system available to do so, namely grams? Grams are very small — so no fractions ever! — and only ever measure weight. Ounces can be confusing as they are commonly applied to dry and volumetric measurements and can be complicated to convert.

But there are also problems with our volumetric measurements as well. As you might expect, U.S. Customary units only apply here in the U.S. For example, a cup here isn’t the same as in the U.K. or even Australia. In fact, a cup to the rest of the world generally is approximately 6 ounces, not 8, adding unnecessary complexity to your morning coffee and making understanding and sharing recipe much harder than it has to be.

U.S. Customary To Metric Conversions (Volume)
Metric to U.S. Customary Conversions (Volume)
U.S. Customary To Metric Conversions (Weight)
Metric To U.S. Customary Conversions (Weight)
Fahrenheit To Celsius Conversions

U.S. to Metric Conversion (Volume)

To convert fluid ounces to milliliters, multiply the number of fluid ounces by 29.57. For greater precision, use 29.57353 as your multiplier.2-1/4 cups18 fluid ounces532 milliliters2-1/2 cups20 fluid ounces591 milliliters

Customary UnitsFluid OuncesMetric Units
1/4 teaspoon1.23 milliliters
1/2 teaspoon2.5 milliliters
1 teaspoon5 milliliters
1 tablespoon1/2 fluid ounce15 milliliters
2 tablespoons (1/8 cup)1 fluid ounce30 milliliters
1/4 cup2 fluid ounces59 milliliters
1/3 cup2.6 fluid ounces79 milliliters
1/2 cup4 fluid ounces118 milliliters
2/3 cup5.2 fluid ounces158 milliliters
3/4 cup6 fluid ounces177 milliliters
1 cup8 fluid ounces237 milliliters
2 cups (1 pint)16 fluid ounces473 milliliters
3 cups24 fluid ounces710 milliters
4 cups (1 quart)32 fluid ounces946 milliters
4 quarts (1 gallon)128 fluid ounces3.8 liters

Metric to U.S. Conversion (Volume)

To convert milliliters to fluid ounces, divide the number of ounces by 29.57. For greater precision, use 29.57353 as your divider.1 milliliter—1/5 teaspoon

Metric UnitsFluid OuncesCustomary Units
5 milliliters1 teaspoon
15 milliliters1/2 fluid ounce1 tablespoon
30 milliliters1 fluid ounce2 tablespoons (1/8 cup)
100 milliliters3.4 fluid ounces7 tablespoons
237 milliliters8 fluid ounces1 cup
1 liter34 fluid ounces4-1/4 cups

U.S. to Metric Conversion (Weight)

To convert ounces to grams, multiply the number of ounces by 28.35. For much greater precision, use 28.349523125 as your multiplier.

Customary UnitsMetric Units
1/2 ounce14 grams
3/4 ounce21 grams
1 ounce28 grams
1-1/2 ounces43 grams
2 ounces57 grams
2-1/2 ounces71 grams
3 ounces85 grams
4 ounces113 grams
5 ounces142 grams
6 ounces170 grams
7 ounces198 grams
8 ounces227 grams
9 ounces255 grams
10 ounces283 grams
11 ounces312 grams
12 ounces340 grams

Metric to U.S. Conversion (Weight)

To convert grams to ounces, divide the number of ounces by 28.35. For much greater precision, use 28.349523125 as your divider.

Metric UnitsCustomary Units
1 gram.035 ounce
1-1/2 grams.052 ounces
2 grams.07 ounces
2-1/2 grams.088 ounces
3 grams.106 ounces
4 grams.141 ounces
5 grams.177 ounces
10 grams.35 ounces
100 grams3.5 ounces
500 grams17.6 ounces (1.1 pounds)
1 kilogram35.2 ounces (2.2 pounds)

U.S. to Metric Conversion (Temperature)

To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply the temperature by 1.8 and add 32. To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, divide the temperature by 1.8 and subtract 32.

FahrenheitCelsius
200 degrees F93 degrees C
225 degrees F107 degrees C
250 degrees F121 degrees C
275 degrees F135 degrees C
300 degrees F149 degrees C
325 degrees F163 degrees C
350 degrees F177 degrees C
375 degrees F191 degrees C
400 degrees F204 degrees C
425 degrees F218 degrees C
450 degrees F232 degrees C
475 degrees F246 degrees C
500 degrees F260 degrees C

Image:Pixabay/Skitterphoto