Turn messy decimals into real kitchen measurements

Scale any recipe up or down. Get results as cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, and common fractions — the way your measuring tools actually read.

Scaling factor

Enter a number between 0.1 and 20

Ingredients

Ingredient	Amount	Unit	Scaled result	Remove

Ingredients that need care

Not everything scales in a straight line. When you double a recipe, you usually do not double these:

Salt — start at 75% of the scaled amount and taste.
Baking powder / soda — use 1.5× for a double, not 2×.
Spices and herbs — increase by half the scaling factor, then adjust.
Garlic and chili — a little goes a long way in big batches.

Quick reference

1 cup	16 tbsp	48 tsp
¾ cup	12 tbsp	36 tsp
⅔ cup	10 tbsp + 2 tsp	32 tsp
½ cup	8 tbsp	24 tsp
⅓ cup	5 tbsp + 1 tsp	16 tsp
¼ cup	4 tbsp	12 tsp
1 tbsp	3 tsp

How this works

Pick your scale

Tap a preset button like ½× or 2×, or type any number. Common choices are halving (0.5), doubling (2), or scaling to match a different serving count (like 1.5 for 6 servings from a 4-serving recipe).

Enter your ingredients

Type the name, amount, and unit for each ingredient. The table starts with three rows. Add more with the button above the table. You can paste decimal amounts straight from a recipe card — 0.375 cups is fine.

Read the results

Hit Calculate or change the scale factor. Each row shows the scaled amount as a mixed measurement: whole cups plus fractions, or the nearest tablespoon and teaspoon combination. The goal is a number you can actually measure.

Things to know before you start

This calculator works with volume measurements only: cups, tablespoons, and teaspoons. It does not convert to or from weight units like grams or ounces. If your recipe lists ingredients by weight, you will need a kitchen scale or a separate weight converter.

The fraction output uses common kitchen fractions: halves, thirds, quarters, eighths, and sixteenths. Very small amounts are shown in teaspoons. Results are rounded to the nearest practical measurement, so you might see a tiny difference from the exact decimal value. For most recipes, this rounding is within an acceptable margin.

When scaling up baked goods, watch your pan size. Doubling a cake recipe does not always mean using the same pan twice as full. Split between pans or use a larger vessel to avoid overflow.

Common mistakes when scaling recipes

One of the easiest errors is scaling seasoning the same way as flour or liquid. Salt, pepper, and strong spices become overwhelming fast. A good rule is to add half the scaled amount, taste, and then add more if needed. This is especially important for garlic, cayenne, and dried herbs.

Another frequent issue is forgetting that cooking time does not scale with volume. A double batch of cookies still bakes for about the same time per cookie, but a double batch of soup needs a bigger pot and may simmer longer to reduce. Adjust your method, not just your ingredients.

Leavening agents are tricky. Baking powder and baking soda create gas that makes things rise. Too much causes a bitter taste and a collapsed center. When doubling a recipe, use about 1.5 times the leavening instead of a full double. For tripling, use about 2 times. The exact ratio depends on the recipe, so start conservative.

Frequently asked questions

What does 0.428 cups become?: 0.428 cups is about 6 tablespoons and 2½ teaspoons. The calculator rounds to the nearest practical fraction so your result is something you can actually measure.
Can I use this for metric recipes?: This version handles US customary units only. If you work in milliliters and grams, a metric mode may be added later.
Why does ⅔ cup show as tablespoons and teaspoons?: If the scaled result is not a clean fraction of a cup, the calculator converts to tablespoons and teaspoons for easier measuring. You will see both formats when possible.
Is my recipe data saved anywhere?: No. Everything runs in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server. If you want to save your work, use the print or copy button before closing the page.
Can I share a scaled recipe with someone?: Yes. Use the copy button to get a text version you can paste into a message or note. You can also print a recipe card.

Why this exists

Every home cook has faced the same moment: a recipe says 0.375 cups and you are standing in front of a drawer full of measuring cups, none of which have that marking. This calculator was built to end that frustration. It takes the decimal amounts that recipe scaling produces and turns them into the fractions and spoon measurements that match the tools in your kitchen.