Photo: KayVee.INC / Flickr

Isn’t it frustrating when one comes across a wonderful recipe, only to find that it’s written in the imperial rather than the metric system – or vice versa? But rather than put the recipe away, take a few minutes to do the conversion. It’s a simple matter when you have a conversion chart at hand. Read on for conversions for liquids and weights, as well as cup and spoon measures. Some conversions are approximate, for example 1000 grams equals approximately 2 lb 4 oz.

Converting cups and teaspoons to millilitres

Converting cups to millilitre measurements is as easy as pie: one cup is equal to 250 ml, ¾ of a cup is equal to 190 ml, ½ cup is equal to 125 ml, 1/3 cup is equal to 80 ml and ¼ cup is equal to 60 ml.

A classic teaspoon measurement is 5 millilitres which is a level teaspoon. Use proper cooking cups and spoon measures to safeguard against erroneous measurements. All spoon measurements should be level.

One tablespoon is equal to 15 ml, 1 teaspoon is equal to 5 ml, ¾ teaspoon is equal to 3 ml, ½ teaspoon is equal to 2 ml and ¼ teaspoon is equal to 1 ml.

Converting liquid capacities

These volume conversions are approximate but close enough to be used as a guideline. Fifteen millilitres (or three level teaspoons) is equal to 1 fl oz, 30 ml is equal to 2 fl oz, 75 ml is equal to 3 fl oz, 125 ml (or half a cup) is equal to 4 fl oz. 150 ml is equal to 5 fl oz, 175 ml is equal to 6 fl oz and 200 ml is equal to 7 fl oz.

Working with liquid capacities from one cup up to one litre: 225 – 250 ml (or one cup) is equal to 8 ­9 fl oz, 375 ml (or half a pint) is equal to 10 fl oz and 1 litre (or one and three quarter pints) is equivalent to 35 fl oz.

Weight conversions

As said, 1 kg is equal to about 2 lb 4 oz so these figures are approximate: 30 grams is equal to 1 oz, 60 grams is equal to 2 oz, 75 grams is equal to 2 ½ oz, 100 grams is equal to 3 oz, 125 grams is equal to 4 oz, 150 grams is equal to 5 oz, 175 grams is equal to 6 oz, 200 grams is equal to 7 oz, 250 grams is equal to 8 oz and 275 grams is equal to 9 oz.

Moving up, 300 grams is equal to 10 oz, 325 grams is equal to 11 oz, 350 grams is equal to 12 oz, 375 grams is equal to 13 oz, 400 grams is equal to 14 oz, 425 grams is equal to 15 oz, 500 grams is equal to 1 lb, 750 grams is equal to 1 ½ lb and 1 kg measures out to 2 lb.

Tags: cooking, recipes