Butter Measurement Matrix: Sticks, Tablespoons, Cups & Grams
American butter is sold in 4-ounce sticks (8 tablespoons or 1/2 cup per stick). Two full sticks equal 1 cup (8 oz or 226.8 grams).
In the United States, commercial butter is packaged in 1-pound cartons containing four individually wrapped sticks. Each stick weighs 4 ounces (113.4 grams) and equals 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup).
The wax wrapper of each stick is printed with tablespoon increments. Each tablespoon equals 1/2 ounce (14.18 grams).
European-style butters (such as Kerrygold, Plugrá, or President) contain 82% to 84% butterfat compared to the 80% minimum mandated for US commercial butter. This higher fat percentage yields flakier laminated pastry doughs and tender pie crusts.
Density variations
| Type | g/cup | oz/cup | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Standard Butter (80% Milkfat) | 226.8 | 8 | Standard 4 oz (113.4g) sticks in East Coast / West Coast shapes. |
| European Style Butter (82-84% Milkfat) | 227 | 8.01 | Higher fat, lower moisture; yields flakier puff pastry and croissants. |
| Clarified Butter / Ghee (99% Milkfat) | 218 | 7.69 | Water and milk solids evaporated; liquid oil density. |
| Vegetable Shortening (Crisco) | 190 | 6.7 | Whipped hydrogenated vegetable oil; lighter than butter. |
| Virgin Coconut Oil (Solid 68°F) | 216 | 7.62 | Solid at room temp; melts quickly in hands. |
Conversion table
| Ounces | Grams | Cups | Tablespoons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 14.2 | 1 tbsp | 1 |
| 1 | 28.3 | 2 tbsp (⅛ cup) | 2 |
| 2 | 56.7 | ¼ cup (½ stick) | 4 |
| 4 | 113.4 | ½ cup (1 stick) | 8 |
| 6 | 170.1 | ¾ cup (1.5 sticks) | 12 |
| 8 | 226.8 | 1 cup (2 sticks) | 16 |
| 16 | 453.6 | 2 cups (4 sticks / 1 lb) | 32 |
Baking & measurement tips
- 1 stick of butter = 8 tablespoons = 1/2 cup = 4 ounces = 113.4 grams.
- When melting butter, the weight remains 113.4g per stick; volume expands slightly.
- Browned butter loses ~15-18% of its initial weight due to water evaporation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tablespoons in 1 stick of butter?
There are exactly 8 tablespoons in 1 standard stick of American butter (1/2 cup or 4 oz).
How many sticks of butter is 1 cup?
One full cup of butter equals 2 sticks (8 oz or 226.8g).