Kitchen Tools & Measurement Techniques
How to Convert Recipes Between Metric and Imperial Units
Recipes from different countries use different units. Learn the key volume, weight, and temperature conversions to switch between metric and imperial easily.
Converting recipes between metric and imperial units is a common challenge, especially when using recipes from different countries. Understanding the basic conversions makes the process straightforward.
For liquids, 1 cup equals 240 milliliters. Smaller measurements convert easily: 1 tablespoon is 15ml, and 1 teaspoon is 5ml. For weight, 1 ounce equals 28 grams, and 1 pound equals 454 grams.
Dry ingredients are trickier because density varies. A cup of flour weighs less than a cup of sugar, so converting by weight is more accurate than converting by volume. When possible, use grams instead of cups for precision.
Temperature conversions are simple:
- Celsius to Fahrenheit: multiply by 9/5 and add 32
- Fahrenheit to Celsius: subtract 32 and multiply by 5/9
Once you learn these basic conversions, switching between metric and imperial becomes quick and reliable. Using a digital scale simplifies the process even further.