How to Measure Butter: Sticks, Cups, Tablespoons, and Grams

Butter is one of the most frequently measured ingredients in baking and cooking — and one of the most confusing, because recipes use so many different units. A recipe might call for 1 stick, ½ cup, 8 tablespoons, or 113 grams, all meaning exactly the same thing. Here's a complete reference so you never have to guess.

Butter Conversion Chart

Amount	Sticks	Cups	Tablespoons	Grams
1 stick	1	½ cup	8 tbsp	113g
2 sticks	2	1 cup	16 tbsp	227g
½ stick	½	¼ cup	4 tbsp	57g
¼ stick	¼	⅛ cup	2 tbsp	28g
1 tablespoon	⅛ stick	1/16 cup	1 tbsp	14g
1 teaspoon	—	—	⅓ tbsp	4.7g

Understanding the US Butter Stick

In the United States, butter is almost always sold in 1-pound boxes containing 4 sticks. Each stick is ¼ pound (113g), which equals ½ cup or 8 tablespoons. The wrapper on each stick is printed with tablespoon markings, which makes it easy to cut off exact amounts without measuring.

This is worth knowing because many US recipes specify butter in sticks, while UK, Australian, and European recipes always use grams or sometimes cups. There's no equivalent to the "stick" outside North America.

Salted vs Unsalted Butter

Salted and unsalted butter weigh the same and convert identically — the difference is only in salt content. Most baking recipes call for unsalted butter so the baker can control the salt level precisely. If you only have salted butter, reduce the recipe's added salt by about ¼ teaspoon per ½ cup (1 stick) of butter.

How to Measure Butter Without a Scale

If your recipe calls for a cup measurement and you're working with sticks, count the sticks: 1 cup = 2 sticks, ½ cup = 1 stick, ¼ cup = ½ stick. The wrapper markings handle everything smaller.

If you're measuring loose or whipped butter into a cup, pack it firmly to eliminate air pockets, then level off the top. Whipped butter is significantly lighter by volume than regular butter — if a recipe calls for regular butter, don't substitute whipped butter measured by cups.

European Butter

European-style butter has a higher fat content (82–84%) compared to standard US butter (80%). This makes it richer and lower in water, which can affect baked goods noticeably — pastry is flakier, cookies spread less. The weight conversions are the same, but the higher fat content means results may differ slightly from a recipe developed with standard butter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is 100g of butter in cups?

100g of butter is approximately 7 tablespoons, or just under ½ cup (about 0.44 cups). For practical purposes, use 7 tablespoons or weigh it directly.

How many tablespoons in ¾ cup of butter?

¾ cup of butter = 12 tablespoons = 1½ sticks = 170g.

Can I substitute oil for butter?

In many recipes, yes — but not cup for cup. A general ratio is ¾ cup oil for every 1 cup butter, since butter contains water (about 20%) and oil does not. The texture will be different: oil-based baked goods tend to be moister but denser, and they won't have the same flavor as butter-based ones.

How many grams is ¼ cup of butter?

¼ cup of butter = 57g = ½ stick = 4 tablespoons.

Softened vs Melted vs Cold Butter

These aren't interchangeable, even at the same weight. Softened butter (65-68°F) holds air when creamed with sugar, which is essential for light, fluffy cookies and cakes. Melted butter incorporates differently and produces denser, chewier results — this is why some cookie recipes specifically call for melted butter instead of softened. Cold butter, cut into small pieces, is used in pastry and biscuits where you want distinct flakes of fat that create layers as they melt in the oven. Always use the temperature the recipe specifies, since substituting one for another changes the final texture even though the gram weight stays the same.

How do I soften butter quickly?

Cut it into small cubes to increase surface area, which speeds up warming to room temperature in about 15 minutes instead of an hour. Alternatively, grate cold butter on a box grater — the thin shreds soften in just a few minutes. Avoid microwaving unless using very short bursts (5-10 seconds) checking frequently, since it's easy to accidentally melt part of the butter, which changes how it creams with sugar.

Does the brand of butter affect the conversion?

No — a stick of butter is standardized at 113g / ½ cup / 8 tablespoons across all major US brands, since this size is defined by USDA packaging convention, not by the manufacturer. The conversions in this guide apply regardless of brand.

Storing Butter for Baking

Butter absorbs odors easily, so store it wrapped tightly or in a sealed container away from strong-smelling foods like onions or garlic. Refrigerated butter keeps for 1-3 months past any printed date; frozen butter (well-wrapped) keeps for up to a year with minimal quality loss, making it worth stocking up when it's on sale. Thaw frozen butter in the refrigerator overnight rather than at room temperature for the most even texture when it's time to soften it for baking.