Butter Measurement Converter
Convert butter between sticks, cups, tablespoons, grams, and ounces instantly — perfect for when a recipe lists butter one way and your kitchen scale or wrapper shows another.
Butter converter
Why butter measurements get confusing
Butter is one of the few baking ingredients sold and measured three completely different ways depending on where you are: pre-marked sticks in the US, weighed blocks in Europe and most of the rest of the world, and cups or tablespoons in countless recipes regardless of origin. A US stick is a standardized ¼ pound (113 grams), and its wrapper is printed with tablespoon lines specifically so you can slice it without a scale — which is why American recipes so often call for butter “in sticks” rather than weight.
If you’re following a recipe from outside the US, converting to grams is usually the safest bet, since “a stick” isn’t a unit anyone else’s grocery store uses.
Butter conversion chart
The most common butter measurements, side by side.
| Sticks | Cups | Tablespoons | Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⅛ stick | 1 tbsp | 1 tbsp | 14g | 0.5oz |
| ¼ stick | 2 tbsp | 2 tbsp | 28g | 1oz |
| ½ stick | ¼ cup | 4 tbsp | 57g | 2oz |
| 1 stick | ½ cup | 8 tbsp | 113g | 4oz |
| 1½ sticks | ¾ cup | 12 tbsp | 170g | 6oz |
| 2 sticks | 1 cup | 16 tbsp | 227g | 8oz |
| 4 sticks | 2 cups | 32 tbsp | 454g | 16oz |
Measuring butter accurately, every time
Cold or softened butter measures most accurately by volume — press it firmly into the cup with no air gaps for a true reading.
Melted butter is best measured by weight. Air pockets in a liquid measuring cup can throw off the volume by more than you’d expect.
European butter blocks (usually 250g) don’t split evenly into US stick sizes — weigh out what you need rather than guessing by eye.
“Softened” means cool room temperature, not melted — it should hold its shape but dent easily under light pressure from a finger.
Butter measurements: common questions
How many tablespoons are in a stick of butter?
One standard US stick of butter equals 8 tablespoons, or half a cup. Most butter wrappers also print tablespoon markings along the side for easy slicing.
How many grams is a stick of butter?
A standard US stick of butter weighs approximately 113 grams. This is based on 4 sticks per pound, since one pound equals about 454 grams.
Is European butter the same size as a US stick of butter?
No. European butter is typically sold in 250-gram blocks rather than pre-measured sticks, and often has a slightly higher fat content (82-84% versus around 80% for standard US butter), which can affect texture in delicate bakes.
Does it matter if butter is measured cold, softened, or melted?
The weight stays the same regardless of temperature, but volume measuring is more accurate with cold or softened butter pressed firmly into a measuring cup. Melted butter can trap air pockets that throw off a volume measurement, so weighing melted butter is more reliable.
How much butter is half a cup?
Half a cup of butter equals 1 full stick, 8 tablespoons, or approximately 113 grams.
How much butter is 1/4 pound?
1/4 pound of butter equals exactly 1 stick, or 1/2 cup, or approximately 113 grams. US butter sticks are sized specifically so 4 sticks make up 1 pound.
How many ounces is a stick of butter?
One standard US stick of butter weighs 4 ounces, or approximately 113 grams. Two sticks equal 8 ounces, which is also 1 cup.
Recipes to put your butter to work
Now that your measurements are sorted, here’s what to bake next:
Conversions are based on standard US butter (1 stick = 113g = ½ cup = 8 tbsp). Brands and butterfat content can cause minor variation — a kitchen scale gives the most precise result. © Bia Flavors.