Original visual accompanying the guide: A US Stick of Butter in Grams, Cups and Tablespoons
Identify the US stick before measuring
A US stick of butter represents four avoirdupois ounces, or 113.398 grams. In common kitchen instructions that rounds to 113 grams. It also corresponds to half a US cup or eight US tablespoons. These relationships describe the US stick convention; the shape of a package is not a unit. Check the package label if you are working with an unfamiliar brand.
Use weight for a partial stick
For three tablespoons, calculate 3/8 of a stick: approximately 42.52 grams. A scale lets you measure that amount without relying on wrapper lines that may have shifted. Tare the bowl, add butter, and read the mass. If the recipe supplies grams, use its stated weight rather than converting a rounded cup value back into grams.
Separate quantity from butter condition
Softened, melted and cold describe preparation, not a different number of ounces in the same measured piece. Temperature affects texture and mixing, and melted butter may be difficult to judge by volume if some remains in the container. Weigh the specified amount before melting when practical. A unit conversion cannot decide whether a recipe will tolerate a substitution in butter condition.
Work out your quantity
Use the Butter Calculator with the assumptions described above. Browse Food calculators for another kitchen conversion, or visit GreenCalc for the full calculator library.
Related guide: Butter Package Sizes: Adapt a Recipe Without Guessing Sticks.
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By GreenCalc · Updated 2026-11-03