When it comes to baking and cooking, measuring ingredients precisely is crucial for achieving the desired results. One of the most common fractional measurements used in recipes is 2/3 cup. But what exactly does 2/3 cup equate to in other units of measurement?
Quick Answer
A 2/3 cup is equal to:
- 5 fluid ounces
- 10 tablespoons
- 160 ml
- Around 133 grams of a dry ingredient like flour
Breaking Down the 2/3 Cup Measurement
To understand what 2/3 cup equals, it helps to first break it down into its fractional parts:
- There are 3 equal parts in the whole (the denominator)
- We are taking 2 of those parts (the numerator)
So 2/3 cup means we take 2 equal parts out of 3 equal parts that make up the whole cup. Looking at it another way:
- A standard US cup has 16 tablespoons
- Divided into thirds, each third contains approximately 5 tablespoons
- Two thirds of 16 tablespoons is 10 tablespoons
2/3 Cup in Fluid Ounces
When measuring liquids, it’s useful to know that a standard US cup contains 8 fluid ounces. So what does 2/3 of 8 fluid ounces equal?
One third of 8 fluid ounces is:
- 8 ÷ 3 = 2.67 ounces
Multiply that by 2 thirds:
- 2.67 x 2 = 5.33 ounces
Rounded to a whole number, 2/3 of 8 fluid ounces equals 5 fluid ounces.
2/3 Cup is Equal to 5 fluid ounces
2/3 Cup in Milliliters
Metric measurements are common outside the United States. Knowing what 2/3 cups converts to in milliliters is handy for adapting recipes.
Looking at the fluid ounce conversion above:
- 1 US fluid ounce = 29.57 ml
- 2/3 cup = 5 fluid ounces
- 5 x 29.57 ml = 147.85 ml
Rounding to the nearest whole number, 2/3 cup is equal to about 160 ml.
2/3 Cup Equals 160 ml
2/3 Cup in Tablespoons
Perhaps the most useful conversion is 2/3 cup to tablespoons, since measuring spoons are so ubiquitous in home kitchens.
As mentioned earlier, one US cup equals 16 tablespoons. Dividing that into thirds:
- 16 tablespoons ÷ 3 = 5 tablespoons and 1/3 tablespoon per third
- Multiplying by 2/3:
- 5 tablespoons x 2 = 10 tablespoons
So 2/3 cup is the same as 10 tablespoons.
2/3 Cup Equals 10 Tablespoons
2/3 Cup in Grams of Dry Ingredients
When measuring dry ingredients by weight, it’s useful to know approximations in grams. However, this can vary significantly depending on the ingredient.
As a general guideline:
- 1 US cup of flour weighs approximately 120 grams
- 2/3 of 120 grams is 80 grams
- So 2/3 cup of flour equals about 80 grams
But flour is more dense than many other dry ingredients. For example:
- 1 cup of granulated white sugar weighs approximately 200 grams
- 2/3 of 200 grams is 133 grams
So when measuring sugar by weight, 2/3 cup is approximately 133 grams.
The weight of 2/3 cup can vary greatly depending on density. So it’s best to check a conversion chart for the specific ingredient.
2/3 Cup of Flour is Approximately 80 grams
2/3 Cup of Granulated Sugar is Approximately 133 grams
Converting 2/3 Cup to Grams in Recipes
When following a recipe, you can use the gram approximations to convert 2/3 cup measurements to grams.
For example, if a recipe calls for:
- 2/3 cup flour – use 80 grams
- 2/3 cup sugar – use 133 grams
This allows you to forgo cups and tablespoons and measure only in grams if you prefer weighing ingredients. Just be sure to use ingredient-specific conversions for improved accuracy.
Converting Grams to 2/3 Cup
You can also go the opposite direction – converting gram measurements to 2/3 cups.
For example:
- 100 grams flour – approximately 1 1/4 cup
- 150 grams sugar – approximately 2/3 cup
This allows you to adapt recipes that list ingredients only in grams and convert to fractional cup measurements as needed.
2/3 Cup Equivalents for Common Ingredients
Here is a quick reference guide to 2/3 cup equivalents for some common baking ingredients:
Ingredient | 2/3 Cup Equals |
---|---|
Flour (all-purpose) | ~80 grams |
Granulated sugar | ~133 grams |
Brown sugar (packed) | ~150 grams |
Butter | ~5.3 ounces or 150 grams |
Milk | 5 fluid ounces |
Walnuts (chopped) | ~2.7 ounces or 75 grams |
Tips for Measuring 2/3 Cup Precisely
To achieve the most accurate results when baking and cooking:
- Use measuring cups and spoons, not regular cups/spoons – Measuring tools are more precise than typical drinking glasses or flatware.
- Level off ingredients – Use a straight edge like a knife to level off dry ingredients after spooning them into the measuring cup.
- Don’t pack or compress – Scoop ingredients like brown sugar lightly without packing down.
- Use liquid measuring cups – Pour liquids like milk or oil into a clear liquid cup at eye level for proper filling.
Checking your measuring tools against a conversion chart can also help identify if any are improperly calibrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 2/3 cup mean?
2/3 cup means you take 2 equal parts out of 3 equal parts that comprise a whole cup. So 2/3 cup is 2 of the 3 equal parts of 1 full cup.
Is 2/3 cup the same as 10 tablespoons?
Yes, 2/3 cup is equivalent to 10 tablespoons. A standard US cup is 16 tablespoons. Divided into thirds, each third is around 5 tablespoons. Two thirds of 16 tablespoons equals 10 tablespoons.
What’s the gram weight of 2/3 cup of flour?
The gram weight of 2/3 cup of all-purpose flour is approximately 80 grams. However, flour weights can vary slightly by brand based on density. So it’s best to weigh 2/3 cup of your specific flour to get the most accurate result.
If a recipe calls for 2/3 cup butter, what do I use in grams?
If a recipe calls for 2/3 cup of butter, you can substitute approximately 150 grams by weight. The density of butter does vary somewhat by brand, so weighing 2/3 cup of the exact butter called for is recommended for greatest accuracy.
What is 2/3 cup of granulated sugar in grams?
Granulated white sugar weighs approximately 200 grams per 1 US cup. So 2/3 cup of granulated sugar is roughly 133 grams.
Conclusion
Understanding fractional cup measurements like 2/3 cup is key for both following and adapting recipes successfully. To recap, 2/3 cup equals:
- 5 fluid ounces
- 10 tablespoons
- 160 ml
- Around 80 grams of flour
- Around 133 grams of granulated sugar
Equivalents do vary by ingredient, so utilize specific gram conversions when possible. And always measure carefully using proper measuring tools. With the right techniques and conversions, you can confidently use 2/3 cup and other fractional cup measurements in your cooking and baking.