Measure Ounces

Ounces are a measurement of mass or weight, and as such, you should use a scale when measuring ounces for a recipe, experiment, or similar procedure. In contrast, fluid ounces are a measurement of volume, so they are measured in a different manner. Note that there are also ways to estimate mass in ounces if precision is not necessary, and if required, you can easily convert a few other units of measurement into ounces.

Steps

Method One: Measuring Ounces

1. Place your dish on the scale. Most substances you'll need to measure will need to be poured into a bowl or other container as you measure them. Place this dish on your scale while it is still empty.
   • The "ounce" refers to a unit of measurement related to weight or mass. Do not confuse this with "fluid ounce," which refers to a unit of measurement related to volume.
   • Ounces are part of the American Standard measurement system and not part of the Metric system. Their equivalent within the Metric system is the gram.
   • Make sure that you have a scale that can measure in American Standard.
2. Zero it out. With the dish on your scale, "tare" or "zero out" the weight. Doing so resets the scale so that its current conditions are considered the new "zero" mark, and as a result, the weight of your container will not interfere with your measurement. This process will vary depending on the scale type and model you use.
   • For most digital scales, you will only need to hit the "On/Clear" button again to zero out the scale. Some scales may have a separate button labeled "Tare" or "Zero," though.
   • If using a mechanical scale, you will need to manually turn the knob back to the zero mark to reset it.
   • For balance scales, simply set the pointer to the center mark.
3. Slowly add the substance being measured. Add your ingredient or substance to the dish on your scale. Carefully monitor the reading your scale gives you as you add the substance to avoid adding too much to the dish.
   • If you add too much, simply take some of the substance out of the dish.
   • If you are trying to find the ounces of a set amount, you can add the substance all at once instead of adding a little at a time.
   • Note that this measurement should be in ounces.
4. Zero out the scale again before adding a second substance. If you want to measure out a second substance directly into the first, you must first zero out the scale as you did when you first put the dish. Afterward, add your second substance a little at a time until you measure out the correct amount of that substance, as well.
   • Repeat as needed for all substances or ingredients needed.

Method Two: Measuring Fluid Ounces

1. Grab a measuring cup or graduated cylinder. If possible, choose a liquid measuring cup that has marks for fluid ounce on it.
   • Unlike ounces, fluid ounces are a measurement of volume. A single fluid ounce does not necessarily equal a single ounce.
   • Use a liquid measuring cup instead of a dry measuring cup. Liquid measuring cups have pour spouts and handles, while dry measuring cups have an even rim.
   • Fluid ounces are part of the American Standard system. The Metric system uses milliliters and liters.
   • Most graduated cylinders and beakers only measure in milliliters, but if you can find one with measuring marks for fluid ounces, these options are also acceptable.
2. Pour the substance into the container gradually. Slowly add your substance to the measuring cup until you measure out the desired amount of fluid ounces. If your pour too much into the container, simply pour a little of it back out.
   • You should keep the measuring cup on a steady surface, like a table or counter, when measuring out your substance. Look at the cup at eye level, from the outside of the cup, to ensure an accurate measurement.
   • If you are trying to measure the fluid ounces of a set amount of liquid, you can pour the entire amount into your cup at once without having to worry about doing so a little at a time. Make sure that none of the substance splashes out as you work, though.
3. Make a note of the measurement before adding a second substance. If you want to measure out a second liquid as you combine it with the first, you need to make sure that you write down or otherwise note how much of the first liquid you measured out. From there, you can pour the second liquid into the first and measure it as you did with the first.
   • Note that your new measurement will need to equal the sum of the amount of fluid ounces you measured for your first liquid plus the amount of fluid ounces you need for your second liquid.
   • Repeat as needed until all of your liquids have been measured out.

Method Three: Estimating Ounces

1. Understand the pros and cons of estimates. An estimate should never be used when you need to know the precise number of ounces, so you are strongly advised to use a scale when following a recipe or some similar set of instructions. If precision is not required, however, you can use your hand to estimate the number of ounces for most foods.
   • A good time to use this is if you are dieting and quickly need to estimate an amount of food for the sake of portion control.
   • Note that this only works if you have an average sized adult hand. Moreover, since all hands are different sizes, you may or may not have success using this method of measurement.
2. Estimate 1 ounce of meat or cheese. Place the meat or cheese on the meaty, thick part of your thumb, right along the base. For dense foods like these, this usually measures out to about 1 ounce.
   • More specifically, the portion of your thumb you need to use is the part extending from the lowest joint to the base of your hand.
3. Use the palm of your hand to measure out 3 ounces of meat, fish, or poultry. Place the food directly into the palm of your hand without cupping it. For dense foods like these, this will usually come out to roughly 3 ounces.
   • Keep your hand as flat as possible during this estimate. Only curve the hand slightly, and only if needed to prevent the food from slipping off your palm.
4. Roughly measure out 1 to 2 ounces of nuts or pretzels. Cup your hand and pour the food into it. For less dense ingredients, like pretzels, this will usually measure out to about 1 ounce. For heavier nuts, this measurement is usually closer to 2 ounces.
   • Keep your fingers closed and contain the food completely within the cupped portion of your hand.

Method Four: Converting to Ounces

1. Determine ounces from pounds and tons. Ounces, pounds, and tons are all parts of the American Standard system, so you can directly convert pounds and tons into ounces.
   • There are 16 ounces in 1 pound. To convert pounds to ounces, simply multiply the number of pounds by 16.
   • There are 32000 ounces in 1 ton. To convert tons to ounces, multiply the number of tons by 32000.
2. Convert grams to ounces. If you know the amount of a substance in grams, you can convert that unit of mass into ounces with a simply calculation. There are 28.35 grams in 1 ounce, so you can determine the number of ounces by dividing the number of grams by 28.35.
   • For a quicker, less precise means of conversion, you can memorize a few estimates commonly used in everyday applications, like cooking.
     • 15 grams = 1/2 ounce
     • 30 grams = 1 ounce
     • 85 grams = 3 ounces
     • 100 grams = 3.75 ounces
     • 115 grams = 4 ounces
     • 225 grams = 8 ounces
     • 340 grams = 12 ounces
     • 450 grams = 16 ounces
3. Estimate ounces from spoons and cups. You should use a scale to measure ounces whenever possible. Different foods and substances have different masses, so measuring the volume of one with a cup or measuring spoon will never give you an accurate reading. That being said, if you only need an estimated quantity, you can determine the number of ounces based on the number of spoons or cups used.
   • Memorize the following common estimates for everyday use:
     • 3 tsp = 1 Tbsp = 1/2 ounce
     • 2 Tbsp = 1/8 cup = 1 ounce
     • 4 Tbsp = 1/4 cup = 2 ounces
     • 5-1/3 Tbsp = 1/3 cup = 2.6 ounces
     • 8 Tbsp = 1/2 cup = 4 ounces
     • 12 Tbsp = 3/4 cup = 6 ounces
     • 16 Tbsp = 1 cup = 8 ounces
     • 32 Tbsp = 2 cups = 16 ounces

Things You'll Need

• Kitchen scale (ounces)
• Measuring cups (fluid ounces)

Sources and Citations

See also

• Follow a Recipe when You Don't Have All the Ingredients
• Make a Citrus Glaze (for Baking)
• Pan Fry
• Make Stocks for Soups and Sauces
• Substitute Commonly Used Ingredients
• Cook Sponge Cucumber
• Boil Artichokes
• Install Reflective Tape
• Make Half‐Popped Popcorn
• Make Dinner Without a Kitchen

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