The United States of America often uses a different measurement system than the rest of the world. While there are a few different units and systems of measurement in different parts of the world, a good portion uses the metric system.
This guide aims to help you convert from the measurement systems used in the USA to the more standard metric system.
Length
- 1 inch = 2.54 centimetres
- 1 foot = 30.48 centimetres
- 1 yard = 0.914 metres
- 1 mile = 1609.34 metres, or 1.609 kilometres
- 1 kilometer = .62 miles
Quantity
- 1 ounce (fluid) = 29.574 millilitre
- 1 cup = 236.58 millilitres, or .236 litre, 140 grams (dry)
- 1 pint = .47 litres
- 1 quart = .946 liters 1 gallon = 3.785 litres
Weight
- 1 ounce = 28.35 grams
- 1 pound = 453.59 grams, or .453 kilograms
- 1 ton = 907.19 kilograms, or .907 metric tonnes
Temperature
- 32° Fahrenheit = 0° Celsius
- Farenheit to Celsius formula: (x°F − 32) × 0.5556 = y°C
- Celsius to Farenheit formula: (x°C × 1.8) + 32 = y°F
On the Fahrenheit scale
- Freezing point of water: 32° Fahrenheit
- Boiling point of water: 212° Fahrenheit
For Celsius
- Freezing point of water: 0° Celsius
- Boiling point of water: 100° Celsius
Here are Some Other Useful Measurement Conversions
1 Cup is equal to
- ½ pint
- 8 fluid ounces
- 16 Tablespoon
- 48 Teaspoons
- 237 millilitres
1 Tablespoon is equal to
- 1/16 cup
- ½ fluid ounce
- 3 Teaspoons
- 15 millilitres
Larger
- 1 pint is equal to 2 cups, or .47 litres
- 1 quart is equal to 4 cups, or .946 litres
- 1 gallon is equal to 4 quarts, or 16 cups, or 3.79 litres
Convenient Conversions
- ¼ cup is equal to 4 Tablespoons, or 2 fluid ounces, or 59 millilitres
- ½ cup is equal to 8 Tablespoons, or 4 fluid ounces, or 118 millilitres
I hope you find this handy guide useful. I refer to it a lot when reading recipes from the USA. You can always buy Cup Measures or Teaspoon Measures.
Don’t forget to check out my Baking Ingredient Substitutions guide about how you can replace certain baking ingredients with alternatives.