Convert Ounces to Grams for Cooking
This calculator converts between ounces (oz) and grams (g) for cooking and baking, using the exact internationally recognized conversion factor of 1 oz = 28.3495 g (avoirdupois ounce). Whether you're scaling a recipe from a US cookbook to metric measurements or following a European pastry formula in a US kitchen, precise unit conversion is critical — especially in baking, where a 5–10 g difference in flour or sugar can noticeably change texture and structure. The calculator works in both directions: oz → g and g → oz, covering the most common ingredient weights used in professional and home cooking.
1 ounce (oz avoirdupois, the standard cooking ounce) equals exactly 28.3495 grams. To convert ounces to grams, multiply by 28.35. Common equivalents: 2 oz = 56.7 g, 4 oz = 113.4 g, 8 oz = 226.8 g, 16 oz = 453.6 g (1 lb). Do not confuse with fluid ounces (fl oz), which measure volume.
When to use this calculator
- Scaling a US recipe that calls for 4 oz of butter into grams for a kitchen with a metric digital scale
- Converting a French pastry recipe that specifies 250 g of bread flour into ounces for a US cook without a metric scale
- Portioning 16 oz (1 lb) of ground beef into individual 4 oz (113 g) burger patties with precision
- Measuring spice blends accurately when a rub recipe lists 0.5 oz of smoked paprika but your scale reads only in grams
- Comparing nutrition labels: a US label shows a serving size of 1 oz (28 g) of cheese, confirming the correct portion weight
8 oz of cream cheese to grams (classic cheesecake recipe)
- Enter 8 oz and select 'Ounces to grams'
- Apply the exact factor: 8 × 28.3495 = 226.796 g
- The calculator returns: 226.796 g
How it works
2 min readHow It's Calculated
The conversion uses the avoirdupois ounce, the standard unit for food and commerce in the United States (defined by NIST):
oz → g: ounces × 28.3495
g → oz: grams ÷ 28.3495 (equivalent to × 0.03527)
Example
8 oz × 28.3495 = 226.796 g (one standard brick of cream cheese)
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Ounces to Grams Reference Table
| Ounces (oz) | Grams (g) | Common Cooking Use |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 oz | 14.17 g | Half a tablespoon of butter |
| 1 oz | 28.35 g | 1 serving size (cheese, deli meat) |
| 2 oz | 56.70 g | Small chocolate square |
| 3.5 oz | 99.22 g | Chocolate bar ~100 g |
| 4 oz | 113.40 g | ¼ lb burger patty / 1 stick of butter |
| 6 oz | 170.10 g | Restaurant steak portion |
| 8 oz | 226.80 g | 1 brick of cream cheese / ½ lb |
| 10 oz | 283.50 g | Large bag of shredded cheese |
| 12 oz | 340.19 g | Standard can of beer/soda |
| 14 oz | 396.89 g | Can of chickpeas (net weight) |
| 16 oz | 453.59 g | 1 pound (1 lb) |
| 32 oz | 907.18 g | 2 pounds (large tub of yogurt) |
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Types of Ounces — Don't Confuse Them
| Type | Mass / Volume | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Avoirdupois (oz) | 28.3495 g | Cooking, general commerce |
| Troy (oz t) | 31.103 g | Precious metals (gold, silver) |
| US Fluid Ounce (fl oz) | 29.57 mL | Liquid ingredients |
| UK Fluid Ounce (fl oz) | 28.41 mL | British recipes |
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Common Mistakes
1. Using volume ounces (fl oz) for weight — 1 fl oz of water ≈ 29.57 g, but 1 fl oz of honey ≈ 42 g due to density. Always use weight ounces for dry ingredients.
2. Rounding too aggressively — Rounding 28.3495 to 28 introduces a 1.2% error. Over 10 oz, that's a 3.5 g shortfall — enough to affect cookie spread or bread hydration.
3. Confusing avoirdupois and troy ounces — The troy ounce (31.1035 g) appears on some antique scales. Using it for flour means 9.6% more ingredient than intended.
4. Assuming "1 cup = 8 oz by weight" — 1 cup of all-purpose flour weighs ~4.25 oz (120 g), not 8 oz. The 8 oz = 1 cup rule applies only to water and similar-density liquids.
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Frequently asked questions
How many grams is 1 oz?
1 avoirdupois ounce (the standard cooking ounce) equals exactly 28.3495 grams, as defined by NIST under the international yard and pound agreement of 1959. For everyday cooking, rounding to 28.35 g is precise enough.
How many grams is 2 oz? 4 oz? 8 oz?
2 oz = 56.70 g; 4 oz = 113.40 g; 8 oz = 226.80 g; 16 oz = 453.59 g (1 lb). The formula is always: ounces × 28.3495 = grams.
Is there a difference between a fluid ounce and a weight ounce in cooking?
Yes — and it's a critical distinction. A fluid ounce (fl oz) measures volume (≈29.57 mL), while a weight ounce measures mass (28.35 g). For water, they're close: 1 fl oz of water ≈ 29.57 g. But 1 fl oz of honey ≈ 42 g because honey is denser. Always check whether a recipe uses weight or volume ounces — US recipes often mix both.
How many grams is 1 oz of common baking ingredients?
All weights are identical at 28.35 g per oz — the ingredient type doesn't change the weight conversion. However, if measuring by volume (cups): 1 cup all-purpose flour ≈ 4.25 oz (120 g); 1 cup granulated sugar ≈ 7.05 oz (200 g); 1 cup butter = 8 oz (227 g); 1 cup water = 8.35 oz (237 g).
Why do professional bakers prefer grams over ounces?
Grams offer finer resolution and easier scaling. A gram is roughly 1/28th of an ounce, so a metric scale can detect differences that an ounce-based scale misses entirely. Most professional kitchens and culinary schools have shifted to grams because a 1 g error in a 500 g bread dough batch (0.2% variance) has far less impact than a 1 oz error in the same batch (~5.6% variance).
How do I convert ounces to grams without a calculator?
Use the quick mental shortcut: multiply ounces by 28, then add 1% of that result. Example: 5 oz → 5 × 28 = 140, plus 1% of 140 (1.4) ≈ 141.4 g (exact: 141.75 g). The error is under 0.25%, acceptable for home cooking. For baking, use a calculator or scale for precision.
How many ounces is a standard US measuring cup?
1 US cup = 8 fluid ounces (fl oz) = 237 mL. By weight, it depends on the ingredient: 1 cup water = ~8.35 oz (237 g); 1 cup all-purpose flour = ~4.25 oz (120 g); 1 cup granulated sugar = ~7.05 oz (200 g); 1 cup butter = 8 oz (227 g).
Why is the gold ounce heavier than a cooking ounce?
The troy ounce (31.1035 g) used for precious metals comes from the medieval Troyes weight system, historically separate from everyday commerce. The avoirdupois ounce (28.3495 g) was standardized in 1959 for general trade. The difference is ~9.7%. When gold prices are quoted 'per ounce,' those are troy ounces — worth noting if you ever compare gold prices per gram.
What scale precision do I need for accurate ounce/gram conversions?
For everyday cooking, a scale with 1 g / 0.1 oz resolution is sufficient. For professional baking (macarons, bread hydration ratios, chocolate tempering), use a scale with 0.1 g resolution. Scales accurate only to 5 g are inadequate for measuring spices and leavening agents.
How do ounce-to-gram conversions apply to nutrition labels?
The FDA requires US nutrition labels to list serving sizes in both household measures and metric (grams). A label showing '1 oz (28 g)' uses the standard avoirdupois conversion rounded to the nearest gram. When tracking macros, use the gram value — it's more precise. For example, a 1 oz serving of almonds = 28 g ≈ 164 calories, 6 g protein, 14 g fat.