Butter Converter
Convert butter measurements between sticks, cups, grams, tablespoons, and more
Convert Butter Measurements
Enter the amount of butter you want to convert
Conversion Results
Quick Reference
Butter Tips
1 stick = 8 tablespoons = 4 ounces
Butter wrappers often have measurement markings
Room temperature butter is best for baking
Conversions may vary slightly by butter brand
Butter Conversion Tables
Cups of Butter to Sticks, Grams and More
| Cups | Sticks | Grams | Tbsp |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¼ cup | ½ stick | 56.7 g | 4 tbsp |
| ½ cup | 1 stick | 113.4 g | 8 tbsp |
| ¾ cup | 1½ sticks | 170.1 g | 12 tbsp |
| 1 cup | 2 sticks | 226.8 g | 16 tbsp |
| 2 cups | 4 sticks | 453.6 g | 32 tbsp |
| 3 cups | 6 sticks | 680.4 g | 48 tbsp |
| 4 cups | 8 sticks | 907.2 g | 64 tbsp |
Sticks of Butter Conversions
| Sticks | Cups | Grams | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| ½ stick | ¼ cup | 56.7 g | 0.125 lb |
| 1 stick | ½ cup | 113.4 g | ¼ lb |
| 1½ sticks | ¾ cup | 170.1 g | 0.375 lb |
| 2 sticks | 1 cup | 226.8 g | ½ lb |
| 4 sticks | 2 cups | 453.6 g | 1 lb |
| 6 sticks | 3 cups | 680.4 g | 1.5 lb |
| 8 sticks | 4 cups | 907.2 g | 2 lb |
Understanding Butter Measurements
How Many Sticks of Butter are in 1 Cup?
You can fit 2 sticks of butter in one US cup. One standard stick of butter is equivalent to ½ cup (4 ounces).
To convert butter from cups to sticks, you therefore need to multiply the number of cups by 2.
Formula:
Sticks = Cups × 2
How Many Cups is a Stick of Butter?
One full stick of butter measures ½ cup, or 8 tablespoons. Half a stick of butter measures ¼ cup, or 4 tablespoons.
Quick Reference:
- 1 stick = ½ cup = 8 tablespoons = 113.4 grams
- ½ stick = ¼ cup = 4 tablespoons = 56.7 grams
- 2 sticks = 1 cup = 16 tablespoons = 226.8 grams
- 4 sticks = 2 cups = 1 pound = 453.6 grams
How is Butter Commonly Weighed?
United States
Butter is commonly measured by sticks in the United States. One stick equals ½ cup or 4 ounces (113.4 grams).
Europe & UK
In Europe and the UK, butter is typically measured by weight in grams. Recipes usually call for butter in grams or as a percentage of other ingredients.
Rest of World
Most other countries use the metric system, measuring butter by weight (grams or kilograms) or occasionally by volume (milliliters).
Why this matters: This can make it tricky when you're following a recipe from a different country. Our butter converter helps you easily translate measurements between different systems, ensuring your recipes turn out perfect every time!
Baking with Butter: Tips and Tricks
Room Temperature Butter
For most baking recipes, butter should be at room temperature (65-70°F). This allows it to cream properly with sugar and incorporate air for lighter, fluffier baked goods.
Salted vs. Unsalted
Most baking recipes call for unsalted butter so you can control the exact amount of salt. If using salted butter, reduce added salt by ¼ teaspoon per stick of butter.
Butter Wrapper Markings
Most US butter sticks have tablespoon markings on the wrapper. Each stick has 8 tablespoons marked in 1-tablespoon increments, making it easy to measure without unwrapping.
Measuring by Weight
For the most accurate baking results, measure butter by weight using a kitchen scale. This eliminates variations from how butter is packed into measuring cups.
Cold Butter for Pastry
For flaky pie crusts and biscuits, use cold butter cut into small pieces. The cold fat creates steam pockets during baking, resulting in a flaky, layered texture.
Storage Tips
Store butter in the refrigerator for up to 1 month or freeze for up to 6 months. Keep it wrapped to prevent absorbing odors from other foods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute margarine for butter?
While margarine can be substituted in equal amounts for butter in most recipes, the results will differ. Butter has a richer flavor and better baking properties. If using margarine, choose stick margarine with at least 80% fat content for best results.
How do I soften butter quickly?
Cut butter into small cubes and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, grate frozen butter using a box grater - it will soften almost immediately. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can melt the butter unevenly.
Why do European butter measurements differ?
European butter is typically sold in different sized packages (usually 250g blocks) and the fat content may be slightly different (82-83% vs 80% in the US). Always check the package weight when converting European recipes to US measurements.
Are butter conversion measurements exact?
The conversions provided are based on standard US butter sticks. Actual measurements may vary slightly by butter brand and how it's packed. For the most accurate baking, use a kitchen scale to weigh butter in grams. Note: 1 US stick = 113.4 grams is the industry standard.