Butter Measurements Explained: Sticks, Cups, Grams & Tablespoons
Published 16 March 2026
“Add 1 stick of butter” — if you're outside the US, this instruction might leave you staring blankly at your block of butter. American recipes love measuring butter in “sticks,” but the rest of the world uses grams or weighs butter by the block. This guide covers everything you need to convert between sticks, cups, tablespoons and grams.
Quick answer: 1 US stick of butter = 113g = ½ cup = 8 tablespoons = 4 oz
What is a “Stick” of Butter?
A stick of butter is a US measurement. In America, butter is typically sold in 1-pound (454g) boxes containing 4 individually wrapped sticks. Each stick weighs 113 grams (4 ounces) and equals ½ cup or 8 tablespoons.
The wrapper on each stick is printed with tablespoon markings, making it easy to cut off exact amounts without measuring. This is why American recipes often call for butter in sticks or tablespoons — it's designed for convenience with US butter packaging.
Key conversion
1 stick = 113g = ½ cup = 8 tbsp = 4 oz
Memorise this and you can convert any US butter measurement.
Butter Sticks to Grams, Cups & Tablespoons
Use this table to convert between US butter sticks and other measurements:
| Sticks | Tablespoons | Cups | Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¼ stick | 2 tbsp | ⅛ cup | 28g | 1 oz |
| ½ stick | 4 tbsp | ¼ cup | 57g | 2 oz |
| 1 stick | 8 tbsp | ½ cup | 113g | 4 oz |
| 1½ sticks | 12 tbsp | ¾ cup | 170g | 6 oz |
| 2 sticks | 16 tbsp | 1 cup | 227g | 8 oz |
| 3 sticks | 24 tbsp | 1½ cups | 340g | 12 oz |
| 4 sticks | 32 tbsp | 2 cups | 454g | 16 oz |
Butter Tablespoons to Grams
Many recipes call for butter in tablespoons. Here's a quick reference:
| Tablespoons | Grams | Cups | Sticks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tbsp | 14g | 1/16 cup | ⅛ stick |
| 2 tbsp | 28g | ⅛ cup | ¼ stick |
| 3 tbsp | 43g | 3/16 cup | ⅜ stick |
| 4 tbsp | 57g | ¼ cup | ½ stick |
| 5 tbsp | 71g | 5/16 cup | ⅝ stick |
| 6 tbsp | 85g | ⅜ cup | ¾ stick |
| 8 tbsp | 113g | ½ cup | 1 stick |
| 10 tbsp | 142g | ⅝ cup | 1¼ sticks |
| 12 tbsp | 170g | ¾ cup | 1½ sticks |
| 16 tbsp | 227g | 1 cup | 2 sticks |
Quick formula
1 tablespoon of butter = 14 grams
To convert tablespoons to grams, multiply by 14. For example: 6 tbsp × 14 = 84g (rounded to 85g).
Butter Around the World
Butter packaging varies significantly by country. If you're following a recipe from another region, here's what to expect:
| Region | Typical Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 4 sticks per 1 lb box | Stick = 113g (4 oz) |
| United Kingdom | 250g blocks | Sold in blocks, not sticks |
| Europe (EU) | 250g blocks | Sold in blocks, not sticks |
| Australia/NZ | 250g or 500g blocks | Sold in blocks, not sticks |
| Canada | 454g (1 lb) blocks or 4 sticks | Stick = 113g (if sticks) |
UK/EU tip
A standard 250g block of butter is slightly more than 2 US sticks (227g). If a recipe calls for 2 sticks, use 225g from your block — the 2g difference won't affect results.
US Butter vs European Butter
Not all butter is created equal. The main difference is fat content:
US Butter
- • 80% fat (minimum by law)
- • Higher water content (~16-18%)
- • Milder flavour
- • Works well for most baking
European Butter
- • 82-86% fat
- • Lower water content (~12-14%)
- • Richer, more complex flavour
- • Better for pastry and laminated doughs
For most recipes, US and European butter are interchangeable. However, for laminated doughs (croissants, puff pastry), European-style butter produces flakier results due to its higher fat and lower water content.
Common Recipe Amounts
Here's how much butter typical recipes call for:
| Recipe | Typical Amount | Grams |
|---|---|---|
| Cookies (1 batch) | 1 cup (2 sticks) | 227g |
| Cake (single layer) | ½ cup (1 stick) | 113g |
| Pie crust | ½ cup (1 stick) | 113g |
| Buttercream frosting | 1 cup (2 sticks) | 227g |
| Pound cake | 1 cup (2 sticks) | 227g |
| Croissants (12) | 1¼ cups (2½ sticks) | 283g |
| Shortbread | 1 cup (2 sticks) | 227g |
How to Measure Butter Without Sticks
If you have block butter (like in the UK or Europe), here are your options:
1. Use a Kitchen Scale (Best Method)
The most accurate method. Simply weigh the butter in grams. For US recipes, convert sticks to grams using the table above (1 stick = 113g).
2. Water Displacement Method
If you don't have a scale:
- Fill a measuring jug with cold water to a round number (e.g., 1 cup / 250ml)
- Add chunks of butter until the water rises by the amount you need
- For ½ cup butter, add butter until water rises from 1 cup to 1½ cups
- Remove the butter, pat dry, and use
3. Mark Your Block
A 250g block of butter is approximately:
- Half the block = 125g ≈ 1 stick + 1 tbsp
- Quarter of the block = 62.5g ≈ ½ stick + ½ tbsp
- One-fifth of the block = 50g ≈ 3½ tbsp
Softened vs Melted Butter: Does It Affect Weight?
No — butter weighs the same whether it's cold, softened or melted. 113g of cold butter is still 113g when melted.
However, the volume can appear slightly different. Melted butter settles into measuring cups more densely than softened butter, which traps air when creamed. This is why weight measurements are more reliable than volume for butter.
Baking tip
“Softened butter” means room temperature (18-20°C / 65-68°F) — it should dent when pressed but not be greasy or melting. Cold butter is essential for flaky pastry. Never substitute melted for softened (or vice versa) unless the recipe says so.