Butter Converter
Convert butter between sticks, cups, grams, tablespoons, and ounces
Butter Conversion Basics
Understanding Butter Measurements
Butter is sold and measured differently around the world, causing confusion when following international recipes. American recipes use sticks, cups, and tablespoons. European recipes typically use grams. British recipes might use ounces. This converter bridges all these measurement systems.
In the United States, butter is sold in 1-pound boxes containing 4 sticks. Each stick is 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons, 4 ounces, or 113 grams). The wrapper on US butter sticks has tablespoon markings for easy measuring. However, this stick format is uniquely American—other countries sell butter in blocks of various sizes.
For accurate baking, weight measurements (grams or ounces) are always more reliable than volume measurements. Butter's density is consistent, so weight conversions are exact, unlike flour where packing affects volume.
Butter Measurement Formats
US Sticks
Standard US format. 1 stick = 1/2 cup = 8 tbsp = 4 oz = 113g. 4 sticks = 1 pound.
European (Grams)
Sold in 250g or 500g blocks. 100g ≈ 7 tbsp. Weight-based for precision.
British (Ounces)
Often in 250g blocks but recipes use ounces. 1 oz butter = 28.35g = 2 tbsp.
Tablespoons
Precise for small amounts. 1 tbsp = 14.2g. Marked on US butter wrappers.
Quick Reference Chart
| Sticks | Cups | Tablespoons | Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 stick | 2 tbsp | 2 | 28g / 1 oz | |
| 1/2 stick | 1/4 cup | 4 | 57g / 2 oz | |
| 1 stick | 1/2 cup | 8 | 113g / 4 oz | |
| 1.5 sticks | 3/4 cup | 12 | 170g / 6 oz | |
| 2 sticks | 1 cup | 16 | 227g / 8 oz | |
| 4 sticks | 2 cups | 32 | 454g / 16 oz (1 lb) |
Baking Tips
Cold vs. Room Temperature
Recipes specify for a reason. Cold butter for flaky pastry, room temp for creaming. Weight stays the same.
Cutting Sticks
US stick wrappers have 8 tbsp marks. Cut through the wrapper for clean, measured portions.
Use a Scale
For European recipes asking for 150g butter, use a scale rather than calculating 1.3 sticks.
Softening Quickly
Cut into small cubes to soften faster, or grate frozen butter for quick incorporation into dough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't other countries use butter sticks like the US?
The stick format is a US convention from early 20th century standardization. Other countries sell butter in rectangular blocks (typically 250g or 500g in metric countries, or 8 oz in UK), measured by weight for recipes.
Can I substitute margarine for butter using the same measurements?
For spreading, yes. For baking, it depends. Stick margarine converts 1:1 by volume. Tub margarine and spreads have different water content and may not work. For best results in baking, use what the recipe specifies.
How do I measure butter without a scale?
Use the water displacement method: fill a measuring cup with cold water to a level, add butter until water rises to your target. Example: 1 cup water + butter until 1.5 cups = 1/2 cup butter. Or use wrapper markings on US sticks.
Does salted vs. unsalted butter affect measurements?
No, salted and unsalted butter have the same weight and volume. The salt content (about 1/4 tsp per stick) affects flavor, not measurements. Baking recipes usually specify unsalted for control.
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