In the Czech Republic and across most European countries, cooking ingredients are weighed on a kitchen scale. We use metric units, most often grams for mass and milliliters for basic liquids.
My recipes on this blog are based on the originals written in metric units. To adapt to the U.S. measuring system, I use the following conversions according to FDA guidance:
- 1 US legal cup = 240 ml
- 1 Tbsp = 15 ml
- 1 tsp = 5 ml
- 1 fluid ounce = 30 ml
- 1 oz = 28 g
- 1 lb (pound) = 454 g
Below you will find the most commonly used ingredients converted from U.S. units to the metric system. I weighed each ingredient on my kitchen scale to make sure the conversions listed in the recipes are correct.
Flour
All-purpose flour; in Czech: "hladká mouka." When measured, please prefer the Spoon & level method. Do not scoop the flour, especially if baking.
- 1 cup = 130 g
- ½ cup = 65 g
- ⅓ cup = 44 g
- ¼ cup = 33 g
Sugar white - granulated
In Czech: "bílý cukr" or "cukr krupice"
- 1 cup = 200 g
- ½ cup = 100 g
- ⅓ cup = 67 g
- ¼ cup = 50 g
Sugar powdered
In Czech: "práškový cukr" or "moučkový cukr"
- 1 cup = 170 g
- ½ cup = 125 g
- ⅓ cup = 55 g
- ¼ cup = 43 g
Oil vegetable
In Czech: "rostlinný olej"
- 1 cup = 220 g = 240 ml
- ½ cup = 110 g = 120 ml
- ¼ cup = 55 g = 60 ml
Butter
In Czech: "máslo"
- US 1 stick = ½ cup = 8 Tbsp = 4 oz = 113 g
- US 2 sticks = 1 cup = 16 Tbsp = 8 oz = 226 g
Liquids
For example: water, milk, broth
- 1 cup = 240 ml = 8 fl oz
- ½ cup = 120 ml = 4 fl oz
- ¼ cup = 60 ml = 2 fl oz
Sour cream
In Czech: "zakysaná smetana"
- 1 cup = 240 g
- ½ cup = 120 g
- ⅓ cup = 80 g
- ¼ cup = 60 g
Breadcrumbs
In Czech: "strouhanka"
- 1 cup = 120 g
- ½ cup = 60 g
- ⅓ cup = 40 g
- ¼ cup = 30 g
Rice dry
In Czech: "rýže"
- 1 cup = 190 g
- ½ cup = 95 g
- ⅓ cup = 63 g
- ¼ cup = 48 g
Poppy seed raw
In Czech: "mák"
- 1 cup = 145 g
- ½ cup = 72,5 g
- ⅓ cup = 48 g
- ¼ cup = 36 g
Poppy seed ground
In Czech: "mletý mák"
- 1 cup = 90 g
- ½ cup = 45 g
- ⅓ cup = 30 g
- ¼ cup = 23 g
Jam
Marmelade, powidl and other preserves. In Czech: "marmeláda" or "džem"
- 1 cup = 330 g
- ½ cup = 165 g
- ⅓ cup = 110 g
- ¼ cup = 82,5 g
Buttermilk
In Czech: "kefír" or "acidofilní mléko"
- 1 cup = 225 g = 240 ml
- ½ cup = 112,5 g = 120 ml
Mayonnaise
In Czech: "majonéza" or "majolka"
- 1 cup = 220 g
- ½ cup = 110 g
- ⅓ cup = 73 g
- ¼ cup = 55 g
Dark cocoa powder
In Czech "kakao"
- 1 Tbsp = 7,5 g
- 1 tsp = 2,5 g
Greek yogurt
In Czech "řecký jogurt", fat content around 10 %
- 1 cup = 280 g
- ½ cup = 140 g
- ⅓ cup = 93 g
- ¼ cup = 70 g
Baking powder
In Czech "kypřicí prášek"
- 1 tsp = 4 g
- 1 Tbps = 13 g
Dried lentils
In Czech "čočka"
- 1 cup = 200 g
- ½ cup = 100 g
- ⅓ cup = 67 g
- ¼ cup = 50 g
Ellen Myftari says
Hello Petra ~
I want to THANK YOU for providing the above Metric/US Std measurements - so concise and thorough! I love to explore ethnic cooking and trying to figure out the above differences in recipes was a nightmare (I made so many mistakes!). I'm looking forward to trying your various creations .... Best Wishes ~ Ellen
Petra Kupská says
Hello Ellen, Thank you for your kind comment! I come from the Czech Republic, where we measure our cooking ingredients with a scale and use the metric system. When I started cooking for a US audience, I had to prepare a conversion for each ingredient used. If you need any advice on a Czech recipe, I'd be happy to help! 🙂 With warm greetings from Bohemia, Petra
Alena says
I just came across conversions of US and metric measurements - that’s fantastic ! Thank you! That’s very helpful - you are great - love all of your recipes and also love that it’s very easy to navigate through your web site - fantastic job ! Your son is great translator Thank you !
Anicka Cooklikeczechs.com says
I am happy to hear that you find them helpful. Thank you so much for your kind words!
Thomas Sedlacek says
AHOJ PETRA
TOMAS SEDLACEK HERE; 1st GENERATION CZECH IN U.S.of A.
Maminka prisla rok 1922; ślą spatki (Opatovice) 1928 & married (vozenit)? tatinek.
Delam livance, bread dumplings & svickova. Taky buchty a kolace.
Prosim..muzete dat vscheny tvoje measurments (ml, oz, grams) na jeden, dva, tri lisky. Dekuju moc krat.
Tomas
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Kamilla Sandera-Zech says
HI PETRa your Recipe Vazane Kolace(tied kolache) you have,
2 1/2 tee spoon dry yeast, how much is in Gramm
i like i like i like to use fresh yeast.
Thank you Kamilla
Petra Kupská says
Hi Kamilla, 2.1/2 teaspoons of active dry yeast could be about 30-35g of fresh yeast. Good luck baking the kolache!
jeanie Corkins says
Thank you I finally found one I could understand. Wish there had been an option to print it out. I wrote it down most of it. Will type it up and make copies.
Petra | Cook Like Czechs says
I’m so glad you found it useful. Even if it is not printable. It didn´t cross my mind at the time.
Jane S. says
Hi Petra, some recipes call for a "cake of fresh yeast". What size is a cake of yeast? I've never seen fresh yeast in our grocery stores. Searching the internet it appears fresh yeast may come in 2 different sizes. Maybe one is a commercial bulk size?? What size do you usually find in your stores.... teaspoons or grams? I'm still looking for fresh yeast. And how would you measure the equivalent in active dry yeast? Thank you!
Fred Milne says
Thank you, Petra! A very helpful “tool” in the kitchen!
Petra Kupská says
You are welcome, I hope it helps. 😊