How To Measure Butter (Sticks, Tablespoons & More!)

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From how many tablespoons of butter are in a stick to how many sticks of butter are in a pound, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to measure butter correctly!

Four sticks of butter stacked on a white background

It’s no secret that we LOVE using butter here at Sweets & Thank You. It finds its way into cookies, epic brownies, fluffy cakes, luscious caramel sauce, frosting, snack mix, and more.

I know it sounds simple, but whether it’s learning how to measure flour correctly (GAME CHANGER!), or learning an easy trick to get eggs to room temperature fast, we love sharing baking tips that improve every bake! That’s why today, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about measuring butter.

It’s easy to get mixed up when you’re baking! (“Um, how many sticks are in a cup again?” “Wait, how many tablespoons of butter are in a stick?”), so we’ve got common weights and measurements, a free printable cheat sheet you can use for quick reference, and our best tips and tricks for getting those measurements right every time.

Let’s jump in! Here’s everything you need to know about how to measure butter…

Ingredients for gluten-free chocolate chocolate chip cookies

How Is Butter Measured?

Universally, the most accurate way to measure butter is by weight, but different countries have different methods of measuring butter in everyday baking:

  • In the United States, butter is often measured by the stick or cup
  • In Canada, butter is often measured by volume (cups)
  • In Europe, Australia & New Zealand, butter is typically measured by weight in grams
two sticks of butter stacked

How Much Is A Stick OF Butter?

In the United States, butter is often packaged and wrapped in “sticks” of butter. A standard stick of butter is 1/2 cup butter or 8 Tablespoons. Many brands of butter in the united states have wrappers with markings denoting each tablespoon to make it easy to measure. Each line on the stick is usually 1 Tablespoon.

European-style butter (like Kerrygold butter) or butter sold in bulk is sometimes packaged and wrapped in blocks rather than sticks. A block of butter is often packaged as 2 cups of butter (4 sticks/1 pound/454 grams) or 1 cup of butter (2 sticks/8 oz./227 grams). Always reference your package before you start measuring so you know what you’re working with!

butter equivalent cheat sheet

Common Butter Measurements & Equivalents

So how do tablespoons match up to sticks of butter? Let’s look at some common butter measurements and equivalents to make baking with butter easier than ever.

  • 1/4 cup butter = 4 Tablespoons = 1/2 stick = 2 oz. = 57 grams
  • 1/3 cup butter = 5 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoon = 2.66 oz. = 75 grams
  • 1/2 cup butter = 8 Tablespoons = 1 stick = 4 oz. (1/4 pound) = 113 grams
  • 2/3 cup butter = 10 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons = 5.33 oz = 151 grams
  • 3/4 cup butter = 12 Tablespooons = 1 1/2 sticks = 6 oz. = 170 grams
  • 1 cup butter = 16 Tablespoons = 2 sticks = 8 oz. (1/2 pound) = 227 grams
  • 1 1/2 cups butter = 24 Tablespoons = 3 sticks = 12 oz (3/4 pound) = 341 grams
  • 2 cups butter = 32 Tablespoons = 4 sticks = 16 oz (one pound) = 454 grams
printable cheat sheet of butter measurements

Save Time With Our Printable!

Get our butter equivalent cheat sheet sent right to your inbox. You can print it out to keep on hand for baking projects big and small!

Weighing butter on a scale

How To Measure Butter, Step BY Step

Weigh Butter On A Scale

Measuring butter in ounces or grams on a scale is the single most accurate way to measure butter for a recipe. Here’s how to weigh it on a digital scale/kitchen scale:

  1. Tare The Scale To Zero. For a digital scale, turn the scale on and tare/set the kitchen scale to zero. (I usually place a piece of parchment or a plate on the scale and then tare to zero to account for the weight of the parchment/plate & save me the hassle of clean-up later.)
  2. Add the butter to the scale.
  3. Add or remove butter as needed until you reach the desired weight.
  4. Use butter as directed in your recipe.

Measure By The STick

  1. Use The Markings On The Wrapper. Use the markings on the butter wrapper to measure how many tablespoons or cups you need for your recipe. Typically each line on the butter represents 1 Tablespoon of butter. (Remember that 8 Tablespoons of butter are in a stick, and a stick is 1/2 cup butter.)
  2. Slice With A Sharp Knife. Use a sharp knife to cut the butter carefully along the line you need.
  3. Use butter as directed in your recipe.
a wrapped stick of butter showing markings for 8 Tablespoons
Four sticks of butter stacked on a white background

FAQ + Tips And Tricks For Measuring Butter

Measurement Quick Facts:

  • How Many Sticks Are In 1 Pound Of Butter? 4 sticks of butter = 1 pound
  • How Many Cups Are In 1 Pound Of Butter? 2 cups of butter = 1 pound
  • How Many Sticks Equals 1 Cup Of Butter? 2 sticks of butter = 1 cup
  • How Many Cups Are In A Stick Of Butter? 1 stick of butter = 1/2 cup
  • How Many Tablespoons Are In A Stick Of Butter? 1 stick of butter = 8 Tablespoons

Do You Use A Measuring Cup To Measure Butter?

Not usually. Butter is usually measured by weight in ounces or grams on a scale, or in Tablespoons or cups. However, you typically use the measurements on a stick of butter rather than scooping the butter into measuring cups.

Do You Measure Butter Solid Or Melted?

It’s easiest to measure butter solid, even if you plan to melt it later. If your recipe calls for the butter to be melted at some point, I recommend measuring the butter cold (weighing or cutting the butter to size) and THEN melting it as directed in your recipe. That said, always follow the instructions in your recipe.

How Much Butter Is In A Pat?

If a recipe calls for a “pat of butter,” this typically means about 1 Tablespoon of butter, sliced from the stick (or individually wrapped at hotels & restaurants).

Don’t Forget Your Printable Conversion Sheet!

EASILY CONVERT MEASUREMENTS TO STICKS, TAbLESPOONS + CUPS + GRAMS + OR OUNCES!

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