Cooking Measurement Converter

How to use

Scale by Servings: Enter the original and target servings, then fill in ingredient names, amounts, and units. Click "Add ingredient" to add up to 20 rows. The scaled amounts update automatically.

Unit Converter: Enter an amount, choose a From unit and a To unit. To convert between volume and weight (e.g. tablespoons to grams), select an ingredient from the dropdown — its density will be applied. Same-type conversions (mL ↔ cup, g ↔ kg) work without selecting an ingredient.

Use the Copy button to copy the result to your clipboard. In Servings mode, "Copy all" copies the entire scaled ingredient list.

How the math works

US cup vs. metric cup: The US customary cup is 236.588 mL, while the Japanese metric cup (JIS) is exactly 200 mL — about 18% less. If you follow an English-language recipe using a Japanese 200 mL cup, you will be short by almost 1/5. This tool includes both cup types; choose "cup (US)" for American recipes.

Volume-to-weight conversion: Each ingredient has a density (g/mL). The formula is: grams = mL × density. For example, 1 tbsp (JP, 15 mL) of honey (density 1.4 g/mL) = 21 g, while the same volume of cake flour (density 0.6 g/mL) = only 9 g. Weight-to-volume reverses: mL = g ÷ density.

Serving scale: Each ingredient amount is multiplied by (target servings ÷ original servings). Results are displayed to two decimal places. Note that seasonings often need adjustment by taste — the scaled value is a starting point.

A pinch, a dash — how much is that?

In Japanese cooking, "hitotsukami" (a pinch with three fingers) is roughly 0.5–1 g of salt, and "sukoshi" (a little) is roughly 0.3–0.5 g. These are informal measures without a precise standard. In English recipes, "a pinch" is often defined as 1/16 tsp (≈ 0.3 mL) and "a dash" as 1/8 tsp (≈ 0.6 mL), though usage varies. When precision matters — especially in baking — use a digital scale.

Frequently asked questions

How many grams is 1 tablespoon? Does it differ by ingredient?

Yes, it depends on the ingredient. 1 tbsp (JP) = 15 mL, but the weight varies by density. Water, milk, and vinegar are 15 g; soy sauce and miso are about 18 g; white sugar and cake flour are about 9 g; honey is 21 g; salt is about 17–18 g. The difference between flour and honey is more than 2×, so ingredient selection is critical when converting a gram-based recipe to tablespoons.

Is 1 US cup the same as 1 metric cup?

No. 1 US cup = 236.588 mL, while the standard Japanese cup (and metric cup) = 200 mL. That's an 18% difference. For casual cooking it often doesn't matter, but for baking or confectionery it can affect the outcome. Use the Unit Converter in this tool (cup (US) → mL) to get the exact volume.

Why can't I just double the salt and sugar when scaling up?

Because our perception of saltiness and sweetness is not linear. There are sensory thresholds — doubling the amount of salt does not make food taste twice as salty. A safer approach is to add about 70–80% of the scaled amount first, taste, and adjust from there. Use this tool's scaled values as a starting point, not a final answer.

How do I convert grams of flour to cups?

Select "Cake flour (all-purpose)" as the ingredient in Unit Converter mode and convert from grams to cups. As a reference: 1 cup (JP, 200 mL) of cake flour ≈ 120 g unsifted (sifted flour can drop to around 90 g because the air content increases). The difference between sifted and unsifted is significant for baking, so always follow the recipe's instructions.

How many mL is a ladle (soup spoon)?

Ladle capacity varies widely by size — typically 50–90 mL — so it is outside the scope of this tool. For accurate measurement, use standard measuring spoons (tablespoon / teaspoon) or a measuring cup.

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