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Need an instant calculation for how many ounces are in a cup? Here is the ultimate quick guide and measurement chart for working with recipes using both the metric and imperial system.
Want more cooking resources? Check out how to convert grams in an ounce, tablespoons in a cup, and grams in a cup.
With so many recipes out there, it can be confusing to work with different measurements. Unfortunately, not all measurements are created equal.
Sure, plenty of online calculators can provide you with one or two answers; however, 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.
Table of Contents
- What is an ounce?
- What is a cup?
- Converting ounces to cups
- Equipment for measuring cups
- Fluid ounces to cups
- Dry ounces to cups
- British vs. American measuring cups
- More useful conversions
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ounce?
An ounce is a smaller unit of measure used to weigh out volume, weight, and mass.It measures small quantities of ingredients in recipes or the specific weight of a certain item.
What is a cup?
Cups are kitchen tools used to accurately measure and portion out dry or liquid ingredients for cooking and baking. They typically come in sets with various cup and spoon sizes, ensuring precise measurements.
In the US, one cup equals 1/2 of a US pint.
In the metric system, 1 metric cup is 250 ml.
Converting ounces to cups
Here is what you need to know to understand how many ounces are in one cup and more:
- 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces
- ¾ cup = 6 fluid ounces
- ½ cup = 4 fluid ounces
- ¼ cup = 2 fluid ounces
- 1 cup = 4.5 dry-weight ounces
Here is a helpful conversion chart for converting between ounces and cups for dry ingredients. These are rounded to the nearest whole number.
| Ounces (oz) | Grams (g) | Pounds (lb) |
| 1/2 ounce | 15 grams | 0.03125 pounds |
| 1 ounce | 28 grams | 0.0625 pounds |
| 2 ounces | 56 grams | 0.125 pounds |
| 3 ounces | 85 grams | 0.1875 pounds |
| 4 ounces | 113 grams | 0.25 pounds |
| 5 ounces | 142 grams | 0.3125 pounds |
| 8 ounces | 226 grams | 0.5 pounds |
| 10 ounces | 283 grams | 0.625 pounds |
| 12 ounces | 340 grams | 0.75 pounds |
| 15 ounces | 425 grams | 0.9375 pounds |
Below is a conversion chart for converting between ounces and cups for liquid ingredients. These are rounded to the nearest whole number.
| Ounces (fl oz) | Cups | Milliliters (mL) | Tablespoons (Tbsp) |
| 2 fl oz | 1/4 cup | 59 mL | 4 Tbsp |
| 2 2/3 fl oz | 1/3 cup | 79 mL | 5 Tbsp |
| 4 fl oz | 1/2 cup | 118 mL | 8 Tbsp |
| 5 1/3 fl oz | 2/3 cup | 158 mL | 10 Tbsp |
| 6 fl oz | 3/4 cup | 177 mL | 12 Tbsp |
| 8 fl oz | 1 cup | 237 mL | 16 Tbsp |
| 12 fl oz | 1 1/2 cups | 355 mL | 24 Tbsp |
| 16 fl oz | 2 cups | 474 mL | 32 Tbsp |
| 32 fl oz | 4 cups | 948 mL | 64 Tbsp |
| 64 fl oz | 8 cups | 1896 mL | 128 Tbsp |
Equipment for measuring cups
Three key sets of equipment are needed to measure the liquid and dry ingredients. These include dry cups, liquid cups, and measuring spoons.
Dry measuring cups
These cups are perfect to measure dry ingredients like brown sugar, flour, popcorn, chocolate chips, etc. See below for tips on how to measure dry ingredients accurately.
How to fill dry measuring cups
- Make sure the dry ingredients are loose and without lumps (you can sieve or lightly whisk the ingredients to remove them).
- Spoon the dry ingredients into the measuring cup and fill until it overflows.
- Level the dry ingredient off with the back of a knife or fork or shake off excess.
NOTE: Do not pack the dry ingredients into the cup (unless the recipe states to do so), as this can affect the accuracy of it.
Liquid Measurement Cups
Liquid measuring cups are used for measuring out fluid ounces and are perfect for measuring liquid ingredients.
How to Fill Liquid Measuring Cups
- Place the measuring cup on a flat surface.
- Pour the liquid in until it reaches the surface line. If it overflows, it is too much.
NOTE: Butter and cream cheese are two examples of wet ingredients which are sold in a solid state. To measure them correctly in a cup, they must be soft/softened.
Measuring Spoons
Tablespoons and measuring spoons are great for measuring small ingredients instantly and can be use for both wet and dry ingredients.
Fluid ounces to cups
There are 8 fluid ounces in 1 cup. This is according to the US system. If using liquid ingredients, we measure them in fluid ounces.
Dry ounces to cups
There are 4 1/2 dry-weight ounces in one cup. This, too, is according to the US system. With dry ingredients, it’s important to remember that they need to be measured by weight.
British vs. American measuring cups
There is very little difference between United Kingdom and United States measuring cups. Unless you have a very precise recipe needing accurate measurements, you don’t need to worry about converting between cups.
1 UK cup (metric system) = 250 ml
1 US cup (imperial system) = 240 ml
More useful conversions
- How many teaspoons in a tablespoon
- How many liters in a gallon
- How many cups in a quart
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ounces are in a dry cup?
There are 4.5 ounces of dry ingredients in a cup.
How many ounces in a cup of water?
A cup of water contains eight liquid ounces.
How many ounces in a cup of flour?
A cup of flour has 4 1/2 ounces.
How many ounces in a cup of butter?
A cup of butter, measured in its solid state, has eight ounces of butter.
Originally published March 2022, updated and republished May 2024
