Converting Measurements

It doesn’t matter whether you’re increasing a recipe or decreasing it — the procedure for adjusting the ingredient quantities for a different number of portions is the same. We call this scaling a recipe. When scaling a recipe it’s important to know how to convert back and forth between different measurements.
The first thing you need to do is calculate your conversion factor, which is a number you’re going to use to convert all the quantities. There’s a tiny bit of math involved, but it’s OK to use a calculator — that’s what they’re there for!
To find your conversion factor, simply divide the desired number of servings by the original number of servings. The resulting number is your conversion factor.
Keep in mind; some ingredients will have a ‘weight’ or percentage of importance in scaling, and so will need to be adjusted differently.

Fluid Measure

In the United States, liquid measurement is not only used for liquids such as water and milk, it is also used when measuring other ingredients such as flour, sugar, shortening, butter, and spices.

Tsp.Tbs.Fluid
Oz.
GillCupPintQuartGallon
Tsp.11/31/61/241/48
Tbs.311/21/81/161/32
Fluid Oz.6211/41/81/161/32
Gill248411/21/41/81/32
Cup48168211/21/41/16
Pint9632164211/21/8
Quart192643284211/4
Gallon7682561283216841
Firkin69122304115228814472369
Hogshead483841612880642016100850425263

Dry Measure

Dry measurements are not typically used in US recipes; dry measurements are used mainly for measuring fresh produce (e.g. berries are sold by the quart, apples by the bushel, or peck). Do not confuse dry measure with liquid measure, because they are not the same.

PintQuartGallonPeckBushelCubic
Feet
Pint11/21/81/161/640.019445
Quart211/41/81/320.03889
Gallon8411/21/80.15556
Peck168211/40.31111
Bushel64328411.2445
Cubic Feet51.42825.7146.42853.21430.803561
PS: If you’ve found this post helpful, please consider supporting my work on this site. It’s so easy–and costs you nothing: Next time you want to buy something from Amazon, simply go to the Amazon site through one of my links or banner ads. No matter what you buy, I’ll get a small commission from your purchase–even if it’s not the item I’m advertising. Again, it adds nothing to your costs. So head to Amazon through one of the ads or affiliate links here (or just click here), and start shopping! Thank you so much for your consideration.
Check this out:  Commonly Used Measurements & Equivalents
Education

Give Feedback?