Recipe Conversion Calculator for Cooking Measurement Conversions

Recipe Conversion Calculator Sign

This free online recipe converter will scale a recipe's ingredients from one number of servings to another, or from one baking pan size and shape to another. Whether you need to increase, reduce, double, halve, etc., the recipe scaler on this page will adjust the ingredients in the blink of an eye.

You can enter the recipe ingredients line by line or paste-in a recipe's ingredient list all at once and have the calculator load it into the form for you. Super cool!

Also, the calculator gives you the following options for entering/calculating the conversion factor (multiplier):

  • Enter the starting and ending number of servings.
  • Select from a preset scaling menu (quarter, half, double, etc.).
  • Set the original and new baking or cake pan sizes.
  • Manually enter the conversion factor.

Plus, you can choose to include the metric equivalents for each converted ingredient measurement. And for dry measurements, the calculator will even try to match each ingredient with its unique weight factor (flour, sugar, chocolate chips, etc.).

And finally, unlike other online recipe converters, this converter will provide you with a printer-friendly version so you can print out the completed conversion -- which will include a column containing the original unit quantities and a column containing the converted unit quantities.

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Recipe Conversion Calculator

Convert cooking measurements to scale a recipe to accommodate a greater or lesser number of servings.

Special Instructions

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Selected Data Record:

A Data Record is a set of calculator entries that are stored in your web browser's Local Storage. If a Data Record is currently selected in the "Data" tab, this line will list the name you gave to that data record. If no data record is selected, or you have no entries stored for this calculator, the line will display "None".

DataData recordData recordSelected data record: None
Title:Recipe title:Recipe title:Recipe title:

Recipe title:

Enter the title of the recipe, which will appear on the printed recipe conversion.

Choose Conversion Factor

Set Recipe Conversion Factor:

Choose 1 of the following 4 options for setting the conversion factor. Tap the info ("i") icon next to an option for its explanation.

Note for premium members: The conversion factor settings will not be saved in the database record, only the name and original recipe ingredients and measurements.

#1 - Adjust servings:Opt #1 - Adjust # servings:Option #1 - Adjust # of servings:Option #1 - Adjust number of servings:

Option #1 - Adjust number of servings:

Enter the original number of servings and the number of desired servings. The recipe converter will automatically calculate the conversion factor and enter it into the appropriate field.

From
#
To
#
#2 - Select scale:Opt #2 - Select scale:Option #2 - Select scale to set factor:Option #2 - Select scale to set conversion factor:

Option #2 - Select scale to set conversion factor

Select the desired recipe adjustment from the drop-down menu. The recipe converter will automatically calculate the conversion factor and enter it into the appropriate field.

#3 - Pan size:Opt #3 - Pan or cake size:Option #3 - Pan or cake size:Option #3 - Pan or cake size conversion:

Option #3 - Pan or cake size conversion:

Tap the + sign to open the pan conversion form. Then select the pan/cake shape and number of layers and enter the height and dimensions (diameter for round [Rnd], or width and length for rectangle [Rec]). The recipe converter will automatically calculate the conversion factor and enter it into the appropriate field. Please enter all dimensions as whole numbers or decimals (example: 2-1/2 would be entered as 2.5).

Pan Conversion Form
Dim...Dimen...DimensionDimensionOriginalNew
Shape
Layers
Diam...DiameterDiameterDiameter
#
#
Length
#
#
Width
#
#
Height
#
#
#4 - Manual:Opt #4 - Manual:Option #4 - Manually set factor:Option #4 - Manually enter conversion factor:

Option #4 - Manually enter conversion factor

Required: If you did not complete Options #1, #2, or #3, manually enter the conversion factor here. Please enter as a whole number or decimal (example: 2-1/2 would be entered as 2.5).

#
Factor:Conversion factor:Final conversion factor:Final conversion factor:

Final conversion factor:

If you completed 1 of the 4 conversion options this field will contain the final conversion factor (multiplier), which is required before the calculator will convert the ingredients.

Optional: Paste IngredientsOptional: Paste In IngredientsOptional: Paste In Recipe IngredientsOptional: Paste In Recipe Ingredients

Optional: Paste In Recipe Ingredients:

If you are able to copy the recipe ingredients and paste them into the large field in this section, the calculator will attempt to load the ingredients and measurements into the conversion form for you (hopefully saving you time).

The calculator expects the pasted ingredients to be whole-number fraction unit description, with a space in between each, and a new line for each ingredient. Also, the first character on each line must be numeric, so precede decimal points with a zero (enter .5 as 0.5).

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs.

Be sure to check/edit the formatting before clicking the Load Ingredients Into Form button. When ready, click the button and then edit the loaded ingredients as needed.

Enter Recipe Ingredients

Enter Recipe Ingredients:

Note that depending on the width of the calculator, you will see either a vertical entry form optimized for mobile devices (narrow widths) or a horizontal entry form optimized for desktop devices (widths wide enough to accommodate rows and columns of entry fields).

To add an ingredient, tap/click the Add Ingredient Row button, then enter the quantity, select the unit of measurement, and enter an ingredient description.

To delete an ingredient in the list, tap/click the X button in the left-hand column of the row.

To add an ingredient, enter the quantity, select the unit of measurement, and enter an ingredient description. When you're satisfied with the selections and entries, tap the + button (may also appear as "Add" or "Add Ingredient" depending on the width of your device).

To edit an ingredient in the list, tap the radio button in the Edit column. This will load the ingredient into the form. When you're satisfied with the changes you've made, tap the S button (may also appear as "Save" or "Save Changes" depending on the width of your device).

To delete an ingredient in the list, tap the radio button in the Edit column. This will load the ingredient into the form. Tap the − button (may also appear as "Delete" depending on the width of your device).

To clear the form to create a new list entry, tap the C button (may also appear as "Clr" or "Clear" depending on the width of your device).

Important! The entered ingredients are saved in your device's random memory (temporary storage), which means that if you surf to another calculator or close this browser window you will need to re-enter your ingredients.

X
Quantity
Unit of Measurement
Ingredient Description
Quantity and units:Quantity and units:Quantity and units of measurement:Quantity and units of measurement:

Quantity and units of measurement:

Enter a quantity for each ingredient and select the unit of measurement that corresponds to each quantity entered.

Whole numbers are to be entered in the left-hand field (no non-numeric characters), while fractional quantities can be selected in the middle drop-down menu. Note that the quantity (whole number plus fraction) must be greater than zero for the calculator to include the line in the recipe conversions.

Quantity:

Enter a quantity for each ingredient.

Whole numbers are to be entered in the left-hand field (no non-numeric characters), while fractional quantities can be selected in the middle drop-down menu. Note that the quantity (whole number plus fraction) must be greater than zero for the calculator to include the line in the recipe conversions.

Unit of measurement:

Select the unit of measurement that corresponds to each quantity entered.

#
Ingredient description:Ingredient description:Ingredient description:Ingredient description:

Ingredient description:

Enter the ingredient descriptions as you want them to appear on the printed recipe conversion.

Convert and Print

Convert and print:

Once you are satisfied with your list of entered ingredients, click the Convert Recipe button. This will display a summary of the conversion just below the button. If you are satisfied with the conversion results, enter any special recipe instructions and then click the Printer Friendly Results button. This will open the completed recipe conversion in a new screen that you can print out from your device.

Include metric?Include metric equiv?Include metric equivalents?Include metric equivalents?

Include metric equivalents?

If you would like the estimated metric equivalents of the conversion to be included in the report, tap the checkbox on this line to place a checkmark in it. Tap again to remove the checkmark.

If you would like to save the current entries to the secure online database, tap or click on the Data tab, select "New Data Record", give the data record a name, then tap or click the Save button. To save changes to previously saved entries, simply tap the Save button. Please select and "Clear" any data records you no longer need.

Recipe instructions:Recipe instructions:Recipe instructions:Recipe instructions:

Recipe instructions (optional):

Enter any recipe instructions you want to appear on the printed recipe conversion. The field should expand as you type.

Help and Tools

Learn

How to convert a recipe, common kitchen measurement conversions, and 2 measurement converters.

How to Convert a Recipe

To make a recipe smaller (scale down) or make a recipe bigger (scale up), you will first need to calculate the recipe conversion factor, using the following recipe conversion factor formula:

Recipe Conversion Factor = Desired Number of Servings ÷ Original Number of Servings

For example, if the original recipe serves 10 people, but you want it to serve 20 people, you divide 20 by 10 to get a conversion factor of 2 (double the recipe).

Or, if the original recipe serves 10, but you want to reduce the number of servings to 5, you divide 5 by 10 to get a recipe conversion factor of 0.5 (half the recipe).

Next, now that you know the conversion factor, you multiply each of the original recipe's ingredient measurements by the factor.

So if the original recipe calls for 1 cup of flour, doubling the recipe would call for 2 cups of flour (1 x 2 = 2), whereas halving the recipe would call for 1/2 cup (1 x 0.5 = 0.5, or 1.2).

Of course, not all cooking and baking measurements can be converted that easily. For example, if you are increasing the servings from 18 to 21, giving you a recipe conversion factor of 1.166667, 1 cup of an ingredient would convert to 1 cup + 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons.

For more complex conversions, reduce the original ingredient to the smallest denominator, multiply that value by the conversion factor, and then allocate the converted value back into smaller and smaller common measurements.

So given that 1 cup is equal to 8 ounces, multiplying 8 by the conversion factor of 1.16667 results in a converted measurement of 9.33 ounces. Next allocated 8 ounces of the 9.33 ounces for 1 cup, 1 ounce for 2 tablespoons, and ~0.34 ounces for 2 teaspoons (1 cup x 1.16667 = 1 cup + 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons).

Thankfully, the Recipe Conversion Calculator on this page instantly completes those complex conversions for you.

Note that you can also scale a recipe based on the availability of an ingredient. For example, if a recipe calls for 3 cups of flour, but you only have 1-1/2 cups on hand, your recipe conversion factor would be 0.5 (1.5 ÷ 3 = 0.5).

Cooking Measurement Conversion Chart

The following quick reference chart shows some of the common cooking and baking measurement conversions in case you would like to convert an ingredient manually.

Cooking Measurement Conversion Chart
Liquid
MeasurementStandard Unit(s)Fluid OuncesMetric Unit(s)
1 teaspoon60 drops (dps).17 fl. oz.5 ml (milliliters)
1 tablespoon3 teaspoons (tsp)1/2 fl. oz.15 ml
1/8 cup2 tablespoons (tbsp)1 fl. oz.30 ml
1/4 cup4 tablespoons (tbsp)2 fl. oz.60 ml
1/2 cup8 tablespoons (tbsp)4 fl. oz.120 ml
3/4 cup12 tablespoons (tbsp)6 fl. oz.180 ml
1 cup16 tablespoons (tbsp)8 fl. oz.240 ml
1 pint2 cups (c)16 fl. oz.473.18 ml
1 quart2 pints (pt)32 fl. oz.946.35 ml
1 gallon4 quarts (qt)128 fl. oz.3.79 liters (l)
Dry
MeasurementStandard Unit(s)Dry OuncesMetric Unit(s)
1 smidgen1/32 teaspoon (tsp)  
1 pinch1/16 teaspoon (tsp)  
1 dash1/8 teaspoon (tsp)  
1 teaspoon8 dashes (dps).02 ounce (oz)4.8 g (grams)
1 tablespoon3 teaspoons (tsp)1/2 ounce (oz)14.3 g
1 cup16 tablespoons (tbsp)8 ounces (ozs)230 g
1 pound8 cups (c)16 ounces (ozs)453.59 g
Note that all measurements are in U.S. and may have alternate interpretations.

Cooking Measurement Conversion Calculator

If you need to make any conversions while using the recipe scaler, use the following mini converters to convert from one unit of measurement into another.

Liquid measurement converter:

To convert from one liquid cooking measurement to another:

1. Enter the quantity in the text field.

2. Select a fraction if applicable.

3. Select the unit of measurement you are converting from.

4. Select the unit of measurement you are converting to.

5. Click the Convert button.

Liquid/Volume
to
Result will display here.

Dry measurement converter:

To convert from one dry cooking measurement to another:

1. Enter the quantity in the text field.

2. Select a fraction if applicable.

3. Select the unit of measurement you are converting from.

4. Select the unit of measurement you are converting to.

5. If you selected cup as the first unit and a weight as the second unit, you will be presented with a dropdown menu containing various dry ingredients to choose from (Flour, Sugar, etc.).

6. Click the Convert button.

Dry/Weight
to
Result will display here.
* Measurement and ingredient conversions are approximations only, as several vary widely between sources.

Calculator Referenced by Chef/Author Kristi Ambrose!

On September 3, 2013, I received the following email from the author of a new cookbook series:

I have seen a lot, and I mean A LOT of cooking conversion sites out there, but this one is by far the best. I am using it in a lot of cookbooks I am writing and will give you full credit on your help! Thanks again for making my life easier. -- Kristi Ambrose

Well, little did I know the first book in her series would be available on Amazon the following month. And sure enough, there it was ... an entire paragraph devoted to referencing the calculator. How cool is that?!

Of course, I felt compelled to return the favor, so, here you go Kristi ...

For Love of Eggs Cover Image

Kristi Ambrose is in the process of creating a very yummy cookbook series, For The Love Of. According to the author, the cookbooks are best viewed in color, and you don't even need a Kindle to read them!

Take a free "Look Inside" For the Love of Eggs on Amazon (reference to the calculator is on the first page of text, 3rd paragraph).

Back to CalculatorBack to CalculatorBack to Recipe Conversion CalculatorBack up to Recipe Conversion Calculator

Adjust Calculator Width:

Move the slider to left and right to adjust the calculator width. Note that the Help and Tools panel will be hidden when the calculator is too wide to fit both on the screen. Moving the slider to the left will bring the instructions and tools panel back into view.

Also note that some calculators will reformat to accommodate the screen size as you make the calculator wider or narrower. If the calculator is narrow, columns of entry rows will be converted to a vertical entry form, whereas a wider calculator will display columns of entry rows, and the entry fields will be smaller in size ... since they will not need to be "thumb friendly".

Show/Hide Popup Keypads:

Select Show or Hide to show or hide the popup keypad icons located next to numeric entry fields. These are generally only needed for mobile devices that don't have decimal points in their numeric keypads. So if you are on a desktop, you may find the calculator to be more user-friendly and less cluttered without them.

Stick/Unstick Tools:

Select Stick or Unstick to stick or unstick the help and tools panel. Selecting "Stick" will keep the panel in view while scrolling the calculator vertically. If you find that annoying, select "Unstick" to keep the panel in a stationary position.

If the tools panel becomes "Unstuck" on its own, try clicking "Unstick" and then "Stick" to re-stick the panel.