Understanding Butter Measurements
In the United States, butter is typically sold in 1-pound boxes containing four individually wrapped sticks. Understanding how these sticks relate to cups and spoons is the key to decoding almost any recipe.
Here is the standard breakdown for US butter:
- 1 stick equals 1/2 cup, 8 tablespoons, or 1/4 pound.
- 2 sticks equal 1 cup or 1/2 pound.
- 4 sticks equal 2 cups or 1 full pound.
Each standard stick usually has markings on the wrapper for 8 tablespoons, with each tablespoon weighing approximately 1/2 ounce (about 14 grams).
Butter Conversion Chart
Use this chart to quickly translate between volume (cups and tablespoons), stick counts, and weight (imperial and metric). This guide applies to standard butter sticks and margarine sold in 1-pound boxes.
| Volume | Sticks | Weight (US) | Weight (Metric) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tbsp | 1/8 stick | 1/2 oz | 14 g |
| 2 Tbsp | 1/4 stick | 1 oz | 28 g |
| 4 Tbsp (1/4 cup) | 1/2 stick | 2 oz | 57 g |
| 5 Tbsp + 1 tsp | 2/3 stick | 2.6 oz | 75 g |
| 8 Tbsp (1/2 cup) | 1 stick | 1/4 lb (4 oz) | 113 g |
| 10 Tbsp + 2 tsp | 1 1/3 sticks | 5.3 oz | 150 g |
| 12 Tbsp (3/4 cup) | 1 1/2 sticks | 6 oz | 170 g |
| 16 Tbsp (1 cup) | 2 sticks | 1/2 lb (8 oz) | 227 g |
| 24 Tbsp (1 1/2 cups) | 3 sticks | 3/4 lb (12 oz) | 340 g |
| 32 Tbsp (2 cups) | 4 sticks | 1 lb (16 oz) | 454 g |
Tips for Accurate Measuring
Baking often requires precision. While the markings on butter wrappers are convenient, they aren’t always perfectly aligned. Here are a few ways to ensure you get the right amount:
- Use a scale: For the most consistent results, weighing your butter (and other ingredients) is the gold standard. It removes the guesswork of wrappers or packing cups.
- Pack the cup: If you are measuring butter from a tub or irregular block using a cup measure, let it soften slightly and press it firmly into the cup to eliminate air pockets. Level the top with a straight edge.
- Water displacement: For cold, irregular butter, fill a liquid measuring cup to the 1-cup mark with cold water. Add butter until the water level rises to the amount you need plus the original cup (for example, if you need 1/2 cup of butter, add butter until the water reaches 1 1/2 cups). Drain the water, and you have your measured butter.
FAQ
How many sticks of butter are in one cup?
There are two standard sticks of butter in one cup. This means one stick equals 1/2 cup.
Does this chart work for margarine?
Yes, generally speaking. If the margarine is sold in standard 1-pound boxes containing four sticks, the volume and weight conversions are effectively the same as butter.
How much does a tablespoon of butter weigh?
One tablespoon of butter weighs approximately 1/2 ounce or about 14 grams. This is a helpful baseline if you are scaling a recipe up or down.