Liquids conversions
Water, milk and honey all pour, but a cup of honey weighs over 40% more than a cup of water. Measure liquids in a clear cup on a flat surface and read it at eye level.
A pound of honey fills about 1.33 cups, while a pound of water fills about 1.91 cups.
Liquids weight and volume compared
| Ingredient | Grams per cup | Ounces per cup | Cups per pound | Cups per 100 g |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 237 g | 8.36 oz | 1.91 | 0.422 |
| Milk | 244 g | 8.61 oz | 1.86 | 0.41 |
| Honey | 340 g | 12 oz | 1.33 | 0.294 |
Measuring liquids accurately
Use a clear liquid measuring cup on a flat counter and bend down to read the bottom of the curve. Sticky liquids such as honey leave a film behind, so lightly oil the cup first or measure them by weight. Because honey is so dense, a recipe that swaps honey for sugar usually cuts the amount and reduces other liquids.
How to measure each one
- Water: For liquids, place the cup on a flat surface and read at eye level.
- Milk: Use a liquid measuring cup and check the meniscus at eye level.
- Honey: Lightly oil the measuring cup so sticky honey slides out more easily.
Swapping one for another
When substituting within this group, swap by weight rather than by cup. For example, 1 cup of water weighs 237 g; the same weight of milk is 0.971 cups. Matching the weight keeps the recipe balanced even though the volumes differ.
Buying and storing
Liquids are sold by volume, so a quart of milk is 4 cups and a half gallon 8 cups. Honey is the exception: jars are labeled by weight, and a 12-ounce jar holds only about 1 cup because honey is so dense.
Liquids questions
How many cups are in a pound of water?
About 1.91 cups. One cup of water weighs 237 g, or 8.36 oz.
How many cups are in a pound of milk?
About 1.86 cups. One cup of milk weighs 244 g, or 8.61 oz.
How many cups are in a pound of honey?
About 1.33 cups. One cup of honey weighs 340 g, or 12 oz.