Butter Conversion Calculator - Sticks, Cups, Tablespoons & Grams
Free butter measurement converter for cooking and baking. Instantly convert between sticks, cups, tablespoons, and grams of butter for perfect recipe results.
Calculate Your Butter Conversion Calculator - Sticks, Cups, Tablespoons & Grams
Understanding Butter Measurements
Butter is a common ingredient in many recipes, but its measurements can sometimes be confusing. In the United States, butter is typically sold in 1-pound packages, which are divided into 4 sticks. Each stick is individually wrapped and equals ½ cup, 8 tablespoons, or 4 ounces.
Outside the U.S., butter is often sold by weight (grams or kilograms), which can make it challenging to follow recipes that use volume measurements like cups or tablespoons. Our butter calculator helps you convert between different butter measurement units quickly and easily.
Standard Butter Measurement Equivalents
| Measurement | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 stick | ½ cup or 8 tablespoons or 4 ounces or 113 grams |
| ¼ stick | 2 tablespoons or 1 ounce or 28 grams |
| ½ stick | ¼ cup or 4 tablespoons or 2 ounces or 57 grams |
| 2 sticks | 1 cup or 16 tablespoons or 8 ounces or 226 grams |
| 4 sticks | 1 pound or 2 cups or 32 tablespoons or 16 ounces or 454 grams |
Measuring Butter by Weight vs. Volume
Measuring butter by weight (grams or ounces) is generally more accurate than measuring by volume (cups or tablespoons), especially for baking where precision is important. Here's why:
- Butter density can vary slightly based on temperature and brand
- Volume measurements can be affected by air pockets or how tightly the butter is packed
- Weight measurements are consistent regardless of the butter's state (cold, softened, melted)
If a recipe calls for butter by volume and you don't have the appropriate measuring tools, our calculator can help you determine the equivalent weight.
Butter Markings and Packaging
Many butter sticks in the U.S. come with markings on the wrapper that indicate tablespoon measurements, making it easy to cut off exactly what you need. These markings typically divide the stick into 8 tablespoons.
In some countries, butter might be sold in blocks of different sizes, typically 250g or 500g. When following recipes from different regions, converting measurements becomes essential, which is where our calculator proves useful.
Tips for Measuring Butter
- Cold butter: Use the wrapper markings or a kitchen scale for the most accurate measurement
- Softened butter: Pack firmly into measuring cups, removing any air pockets
- Melted butter: Let it cool slightly before measuring to ensure accuracy
- For partial sticks: Use the wrapper markings as a guide, or weigh for precision
- European-style butter: Has a higher fat content, which may affect recipe outcomes slightly
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard stick of butter in the United States equals:
- ½ cup
- 8 tablespoons
- 4 ounces
- 113 grams
- ¼ pound
There are 8 tablespoons in one stick of butter. Each tablespoon equals approximately 14 grams or ½ ounce.
1 cup of butter equals 2 sticks of butter, 16 tablespoons, or 8 ounces (226 grams).
1 pound of butter equals:
- 4 sticks
- 2 cups
- 32 tablespoons
- 16 ounces
- 454 grams
If your butter doesn't have wrapper markings, you can measure it by:
- Using a kitchen scale (most accurate method)
- Using a measuring cup by packing the butter firmly
- Using a tablespoon measure for smaller amounts
Remember that 1 stick = ½ cup = 8 tablespoons = 4 ounces = 113 grams.
European butter and American butter have the same weight-based measurements (grams, ounces, pounds), but European butter typically has a higher fat content (82-86% compared to American butter's 80%).
This difference in fat content can slightly affect recipe outcomes, especially in baking. For most recipes, you can use the same amount, but for very precise baking, you might want to adjust slightly.
Different countries use different standard measurements for butter:
- US: Sticks (¼ pound or 113g each)
- UK/Europe: Often sold in 250g or 500g blocks
- Australia/New Zealand: Often sold in 250g or 500g blocks with 50g increment markings
To convert between these, use weight as the most reliable measure. For example, if a European recipe calls for 100g of butter, that's approximately 7 tablespoons or just under 1 stick of American butter.
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