Weight Versus Volume

Knowing the difference between weight and volume is important and allows you to measure ingredients accurately to ensure your recipe turns out correctly.

• Volume is the amount of space a substance occupies.
• Weight is the heaviness or mass of an item.

You also may have seen the terms “ounce” and “fluid ounce.” They may sound similar, but they do not mean the same thing. An ounce (oz) is a standard unit of weight, and a fluid ounce (fl oz) measures volume.

• Ounce (oz) = weight
• Fluid ounce (fl oz) = volume

Let’s look at an example to show the difference between ounces and fluid ounces.

Water is a reference point because 8 fluid ounces (volume) equals 8 ounces (weight). If adequately measured in a volume measure, 1 cup of water weighs 8 ounces on the scale.

Liquids with a higher density than water, such as honey, weigh more. So one measured cup of honey weighs more than one cup of water.

• Water: 1 cup (8 fl oz) weighs 8 oz
• Honey: 1 cup (8 fl oz) weighs 12 oz

Some liquids, like canola or vegetable oils, are less dense than water and weigh less than one measured cup of water. If you have ever mixed oil and water, you likely noticed that the oil floats on top of the water and does not mix. The reasoning for this is that oil is slightly lighter than water.

Tools of the Trade

The tools to measure volume and weight are only accurate when you have the right tools and know how to use them correctly! Liquid measuring cups, dry measuring cups, and measuring spoons all measure volume. Use kitchen scales to weigh ingredients. Let’s look at examples of these tools.

Dry Measure (Volume)

Use measuring spoons (teaspoon or tablespoon) to measure small amounts of ingredients (less than 2 fl oz), such as herbs and spices.

If a scale or weight of ingredients are unavailable, use dry measuring cups to measure dry and solid ingredients. Dry measuring cups are usually plastic or metal and come in different sizes, so you can fill them to the top for accurate measuring. Use the following tips to measure dry foods accurately.

• Use the largest, appropriate standard measuring container.
• Spoon the ingredient lightly into the measuring container.
  • Exception: Pack brown sugar firmly into the measuring container so it will take the shape of the container when empty.
• Fill the measuring container overflowing; level off with a straight-edged spatula or knife.
• Avoid shaking or tapping the measuring container.

Measuring by Weight

Since weighing is a quicker, easier, and more accurate measurement method, use a kitchen or food scale to weigh larger amounts of dry ingredients and other solid ingredients. The most common food scales are traditional or electronic scales.

Make sure you know how to use the kitchen scale for accurate measurements.

• On the scale, select the unit of measurement (ounces or grams) listed in your recipe.
• If using a bowl or container to hold the food, press the “zero” or “tare” button after you place the container on the scale to avoid calculating its weight in the final amount.
• You can also place an empty bowl or container on the scale prior to turning it on, and it will tare to zero automatically.

Refer to the Culinary Institute of Child Nutrition (CICN) website for helpful videos and training on weights and measures.

Below is a chart summarizing the important terms and differences between volume and weight.

Putting It All Together in the Kitchen

When working in the kitchen, consider the following tips to help navigate weight and volume.

• In recipes, ingredient amounts are listed in weight and volume (see below). Pay attention to the way they are listed, and use the proper tools to get the correct amount.

• Remember, weight-to-volume equivalents are different for every ingredient. For example, 1 cup of raw broccoli florets weighs ~3.25 ounces, but 1 cup of raw spinach weighs ~1 ounce. If you need to convert weight to volume or vice versa, use the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs – Yield Tables to get this information.

• Finally, use tools that result in the least number of measurements possible. For example, if a recipe calls for 7 teaspoons of salt, you should measure 2 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon instead of measuring 7 teaspoons. Another measurement for this is 1/8 cup plus 1 teaspoon.

• The Basics at a Glance poster offers “at a glance” information on recipe abbreviations, measurement conversions, portioning tools, and fraction-to-decimal equivalents. Download and print the poster to include on your refrigerator. It is available in English and Spanish.

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