Volume Converter: Cups, ml, fl oz, Pints
Cups & Spoons to Grams (by Ingredient)
Oven Temperature Converter
UK Egg Size Reference
| UK Size | Weight (with shell) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Small (S) | Under 53g | Fried egg, poaching |
| Medium (M) | 53–63g | Most baking (interchange with large) |
| Large (L) | 63–73g | Standard UK baking size |
| Very Large (XL) | 73g and over | Omelettes, enriched doughs |
When a UK recipe says "eggs," it usually means large eggs (63–73g). When a US recipe says "large eggs," it also means large — broadly equivalent to UK large. If substituting medium for large, use 1.1 medium eggs per large egg called for (or add an extra yolk occasionally for richness).
UK vs US Volume Measurements: Key Differences
Understanding the differences between UK and US volume measurements is essential when following international recipes. Several units have different values depending on which country's system you use.
Cups
US cup = 240ml. Metric (Australian/NZ) cup = 250ml. UK has no official cup — but metric cup (250ml) is most common when cups are referenced in UK contexts.
Fluid Ounces
UK fl oz = 28.4ml. US fl oz = 29.6ml. A difference of about 4%. For 1–2 fl oz this is negligible; for 20 fl oz (1 UK pint) the difference becomes significant.
Pints
UK pint = 568ml (20 UK fl oz). US pint = 473ml (16 US fl oz). The UK pint is about 20% larger. Never substitute one for the other in recipes without adjusting.
Complete Volume Conversion Table
| Unit | ml | US Cups | Metric Cups | UK fl oz | US fl oz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | 5ml | 0.021 | 0.020 | 0.18 | 0.17 |
| 1 tablespoon (UK) | 15ml | 0.063 | 0.060 | 0.53 | 0.51 |
| ¼ cup (US) | 60ml | 0.25 | 0.24 | 2.11 | 2.03 |
| ⅓ cup (US) | 80ml | 0.33 | 0.32 | 2.82 | 2.71 |
| ½ cup (US) | 120ml | 0.50 | 0.48 | 4.23 | 4.06 |
| 1 cup (US) | 240ml | 1.00 | 0.96 | 8.45 | 8.12 |
| 1 cup (Metric) | 250ml | 1.04 | 1.00 | 8.80 | 8.45 |
| 1 UK pint | 568ml | 2.37 | 2.27 | 20.00 | 19.22 |
| 1 US pint | 473ml | 1.97 | 1.89 | 16.65 | 16.00 |
| 1 litre | 1000ml | 4.17 | 4.00 | 35.20 | 33.81 |
Oven Temperature Reference Chart
UK recipes use Celsius and Gas Marks. US recipes use Fahrenheit. Use this complete table when converting recipes between UK and US formats, or when your oven only has one scale.
| °C | °F | Gas Mark | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110°C | 225°F | ¼ | Very cool | Meringues (slow dry) |
| 120°C | 250°F | ½ | Very cool | Slow-drying meringues |
| 140°C | 275°F | 1 | Cool | Slow roasting, cheesecake |
| 150°C | 300°F | 2 | Cool | Slow casseroles, rich fruit cake |
| 160°C | 325°F | 3 | Warm | Rich cakes, shortbread |
| 170°C | 340°F | 3–4 | Moderate | Biscuits, Victoria sponge |
| 180°C | 350°F | 4 | Moderate | Most cakes, cookies, vegetables |
| 190°C | 375°F | 5 | Moderately hot | Pastry, scones, chicken |
| 200°C | 400°F | 6 | Hot | Bread, roast potatoes |
| 210°C | 425°F | 7 | Hot | Pizza, puff pastry |
| 220°C | 425°F | 7 | Very hot | Searing, Yorkshire pudding |
| 230°C | 450°F | 8 | Very hot | Artisan bread, high-heat roasting |
| 240°C | 475°F | 9 | Extremely hot | Neapolitan pizza, flash roasting |
Fan oven adjustment: For fan-assisted (convection) ovens, reduce the stated temperature by 20°C (or about 25°F, or 1 gas mark). Fan ovens circulate hot air and cook faster and more evenly than conventional ovens. If a recipe states 180°C conventional, use 160°C fan.
Converting International Recipes: UK, US, Australian and European
UK Recipes
Modern UK recipes use the metric system: grams and kilograms for weight, millilitres and litres for volume. Oven temperatures in Celsius and Gas Marks. Spoon measurements are level tablespoons (15ml), teaspoons (5ml), and occasionally dessertspoons (10ml). Cups are rarely used in authentic UK recipes.
US Recipes
US recipes use cups (240ml), tablespoons (14.79ml), teaspoons (4.93ml) for volume, and pounds/ounces for weight. Oven temperatures in Fahrenheit. Many modern US food blogs give both cups and grams, making conversion easier.
Australian Recipes
Australia uses a metric cup of 250ml — 10ml larger than the US cup. Australian tablespoons are 20ml, compared to UK/US at 15ml. When adapting Australian recipes, note that one Australian tablespoon = 1.33 UK tablespoons. Australian teaspoons = 5ml (same as UK/US).
European Recipes
Continental European recipes (French, German, Italian, Scandinavian) use grams and millilitres exclusively. No cups or tablespoons in traditional recipes (though some modern European food blogs use tablespoons for small quantities). Oven temperatures in Celsius, often with both conventional and fan oven settings specified.