Butter is a staple ingredient used in baking, cooking, and spreading on breads. When a recipe calls for butter, it is typically measured in tablespoons, cups, or sticks. But how many ounces are in a cup of butter? And what exactly constitutes a “cup” when it comes to measuring butter?
Quick Answer
A standard cup of butter contains 8 ounces. Since 1 cup equals 16 tablespoons, and 1 tablespoon of butter equals 0.5 ounces, 8 tablespoons times 0.5 ounces equals 4 ounces. So 16 tablespoons (1 cup) equals 8 ounces of butter.
What is a Cup of Butter?
When measuring butter, a “cup” refers to 8 fluid ounces by volume or weight. Volume and weight are equivalent for butter since it is a solid fat at room temperature. This is different from measuring cups used for liquids, which are based on volume alone.
There are a few ways to measure a cup of butter:
- Weigh out 8 ounces of butter on a kitchen scale
- Use a butter measure cup, which is specially designed to hold 1 cup or 8 ounces of butter
- Cut 2 sticks (1 cup) of butter off a pound of butter
- Use a liquid measuring cup to scoop out 1 cup of solid butter
How Many Tablespoons in a Cup of Butter?
There are 16 tablespoons (tbsp) in 1 cup of butter. Here’s the math behind this standard conversion:
- 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces
- 1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 0.5 fluid ounces
- So if there are 8 fluid ounces in 1 cup, and 0.5 ounces in 1 tbsp, there must be:
- 8 fluid ounces / 0.5 oz per tbsp = 16 tbsp in 1 cup
To measure 1 cup of butter using tablespoons, you would need 16 level tablespoons. When scooping butter from a stick, it helps to flatten and level off the tablespoons for the most accurate measurement.
Converting Sticks of Butter to Cups
Each stick of butter contains 8 tablespoons or 4 ounces. Since there are 16 tablespoons in 1 cup, this means:
- 2 sticks of butter = 16 tablespoons = 1 cup
Most recipes call for butter by the stick rather than butter by the cup. Here are some common stick to cup conversions:
| Sticks of Butter | Cups of Butter |
|---|---|
| 1 stick | 1/2 cup |
| 2 sticks | 1 cup |
| 3 sticks | 1 1/2 cups |
| 4 sticks (1 lb) | 2 cups |
Ounces of Butter to Cups Conversion
To summarize the conversions:
- 1 cup butter = 8 ounces
- 1 tablespoon butter = 0.5 ounces
- 1 stick butter = 4 ounces
So if you know the number of ounces, you can calculate the cup measurement:
| Ounces | Cups |
|---|---|
| 4 ounces | 1/2 cup |
| 8 ounces | 1 cup |
| 12 ounces | 1 1/2 cups |
| 16 ounces (1 lb) | 2 cups |
Metric Weight Conversions
For bakers and cooks using the metric system, here are some handy butter conversions:
- 1 cup butter = 227 grams
- 1 stick butter = 113 grams
- 1 tablespoon butter = 14 grams
So if a recipe calls for a certain number of grams of butter, you can quickly figure out the cup measurement. Some examples:
| Grams | Cups |
|---|---|
| 115 grams | 1/2 cup |
| 225 grams | 1 cup |
| 340 grams | 1 1/2 cups |
| 450 grams (1 lb) | 2 cups |
Substituting Oil for Butter
In some recipes, you can substitute olive oil or vegetable oil for some or all of the butter, usually using a 3:4 ratio. For example:
- 1 cup butter = 3/4 cup oil
- 1/2 cup butter = 6 tablespoons oil
However, this substitution changes the chemistry of the recipe, so it does not work perfectly in all cases, especially for baking. The butter provides richness from milkfat, behaves differently from oil when creamed with sugar, and provides flaky layers in pastry. Oils have different water content and chemical makeup than butter fat.
When Precision Matters in Baking
For most savory cooking, small differences in butter measurements won’t make a big impact. But in baking recipes, precise butter measurements affect the chemistry and therefore the outcome of cookies, cakes, pie crusts, and pastries.
When baking, pay close attention to the specified butter amount in cups or ounces, and be as accurate as possible when measuring. Too much or too little butter will throw off the recipe and change the end result.
Tips for Measuring Butter Accurately
Here are some tips for measuring butter properly so your baked goods come out perfectly:
- Use cool, firm butter straight from the fridge
- Cut butter into tablespoons or slices before measuring for faster melting
- Pack butter firmly into measuring cups or spoons for correct volume
- Level off excess butter by running a straight edge across the top
- Use proper butter measuring cups or utensils, not liquid measuring cups
- Weigh butter in grams for the most precise measurement
Types of Butter and Their Uses
The type of butter called for in a recipe also matters. Different kinds of butter have different fat content and water content, which affects their behavior in cooking and baking. Common types include:
- Salted vs. unsalted butter – Unsalted is better for baking for control of salt content
- European-style butter – Higher fat, less water (great for pastry)
- Whipped butter – Air added (don’t substitute for baking recipes)
- Ghee – Clarified butter, all milk solids removed
Make sure you are using the appropriate butter type specified in the recipe for best results.
Storing Butter Properly
To keep butter fresh for accurate measuring and the best flavor, store it properly. Keep butter tightly wrapped at all times in the fridge. If you won’t use it soon, consider freezing extra butter for longer term storage. Allow cold butter to come to room temperature before creaming for baking.
Butter Measuring Tips
To summarize key tips for measuring butter:
- 1 cup = 8 ounces = 2 sticks = 16 tablespoons
- Use cool, firm butter for measuring
- Pack butter into cups and level off excess
- Use proper butter cups or measuring spoons
- Weigh butter in grams for precision
- Mind the butter type and temperature in baking
- Store butter properly for freshness
Butter Conversion Chart
Here is a quick reference butter conversion chart in cups, tablespoons, ounces, grams:
| Cups | Tablespoons | Ounces | Grams |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 cup | 4 tbsp | 2 oz | 57g |
| 1/3 cup | 5 tbsp + 1 tsp | 2.6 oz | 75g |
| 1/2 cup | 8 tbsp | 4 oz | 113g |
| 2/3 cup | 10 tbsp + 2 tsp | 5.3 oz | 150g |
| 3/4 cup | 12 tbsp | 6 oz | 170g |
| 1 cup | 16 tbsp | 8 oz | 227g |
Conclusion
To measure butter accurately for cooking and baking success, remember these key points:
- 1 cup of butter = 8 fluid ounces by volume or weight
- 2 sticks of butter = 1 cup = 16 tablespoons
- Be precise when measuring butter for baking recipes
- Use proper tools and techniques for accuracy
- Refer to a butter conversion chart for handy reference
Knowing exactly how many ounces are in cup of butter helps you substitute sticks for cups and scale recipes up or down. With the right butter know-how, your cakes, cookies, and savory dishes will turn out perfectly every time.
