International Recipe Translator
Convert recipes between US, UK, Australian, and Metric measurement systems. Automatically translates cup volumes, tablespoon sizes, temperatures, and regional ingredient names.
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Original recipe (United States)
Translated recipe (United Kingdom)
Volume differences by region
| Measure | US | UK (Imperial) | Australia | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Cup | 236.6 ml | 284.1 ml | 250 ml | 250 ml |
| 1 Tablespoon | 14.79 ml | 17.76 ml | 20 ml | 15 ml |
| 1 Teaspoon | 4.93 ml | 5.92 ml | 5 ml | 5 ml |
| Temperature | °F | °C / Gas Mark | °C | °C |
Why Recipes Don't Work Across Borders
A recipe from a British food blog and the same recipe adapted for a US audience can produce very different results — not because the dish is different, but because the measurement systems are fundamentally different. The problem is invisible: both recipes might say "1 cup of flour," but a UK cup holds 284 ml and a US cup holds 237 ml. That 20% difference in every measured ingredient compounds across a full recipe.
The same issue applies to tablespoons (US: 15 ml, AU: 20 ml — a 33% difference), and to temperatures where Gas Mark 4, 180°C, and 350°F all refer to the same oven setting but look completely unrelated on the page.
Then there are terminology differences. A British recipe calling for "self-raising flour," "caster sugar," "double cream," "treacle," "courgette," and "bicarbonate of soda" uses completely different names than the American equivalents: "self-rising flour," "superfine sugar," "heavy cream," "molasses," "zucchini," and "baking soda." An American following a British recipe without this knowledge will struggle even to assemble the ingredients.
Volume Differences Explained
The US Cup (236.6 ml)
The US customary cup is defined as exactly 8 US fluid ounces, which equals 236.588 ml. This is the standard used in virtually all American cookbooks, food packaging (the "serving size" on nutrition labels), and recipe websites based in the US and Canada. When a recipe says "1 cup" on this site, it means 236.6 ml unless otherwise noted.
The Australian and Metric Cup (250 ml)
Australia, New Zealand, and much of metric Europe use a 250 ml cup. This is exactly the volume of one quarter of a liter — a logical metric increment. It is 5.7% larger than the US cup, which is small enough that most recipes will work fine without adjustment, but matters when measuring multiple cups of a dense ingredient like sugar or flour.
The UK Imperial Cup (284.1 ml)
The traditional UK imperial cup is based on half an imperial pint, which equals 284.13 ml. This is 20% larger than the US cup — a meaningful difference. In practice, most modern UK recipes have abandoned cups entirely in favor of grams, making this the least common cup size you will encounter today. However, older British recipes from the mid-20th century still use this measure.
Tablespoon Differences
The tablespoon difference is often overlooked but causes real problems, especially with leavening agents and spices:
| Region | 1 Tablespoon | Compared to US |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 14.79 ml | Baseline |
| United Kingdom | 17.76 ml | +20% |
| Australia | 20.00 ml | +35% |
| Metric / Europe | 15.00 ml | +1.4% |
When an Australian recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of baking powder, that is 20 ml — equivalent to 1.35 US tablespoons. Using a US tablespoon measure for an Australian recipe means systematically under-measuring every tablespoon-based ingredient. For salt or spices, this is a minor issue. For baking powder in a cake, it can mean the difference between a well-risen loaf and a dense, flat one.
Temperature Conversions
The US primarily uses Fahrenheit for oven temperatures. The UK, Australia, and metric Europe use Celsius. Some UK and Irish recipes also specify Gas Mark, a system designed for gas ovens that assigns a numbered setting (1–9) to temperature ranges.
| Gas Mark | Celsius | Fahrenheit | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas Mark 1 | 140°C | 275°F | Very slow oven |
| Gas Mark 2 | 150°C | 300°F | Slow oven |
| Gas Mark 3 | 165°C | 325°F | Moderately slow |
| Gas Mark 4 | 180°C | 350°F | Moderate (most common) |
| Gas Mark 5 | 190°C | 375°F | Moderately hot |
| Gas Mark 6 | 200°C | 400°F | Hot |
| Gas Mark 7 | 220°C | 425°F | Very hot |
| Gas Mark 8 | 230°C | 450°F | Extremely hot |
| Gas Mark 9 | 245°C | 475°F | Maximum heat |
Terminology Translation Guide
Beyond measurement units, recipes use many ingredient names that differ by region. Here are the most common translations:
| US English | British English | Australian |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | Plain flour | Plain flour |
| Self-rising flour | Self-raising flour | Self-raising flour |
| Superfine sugar | Caster sugar | Caster sugar |
| Powdered sugar | Icing sugar | Icing sugar |
| Heavy cream | Double cream | Thickened cream |
| Molasses | Treacle (black treacle) | Treacle |
| Zucchini | Courgette | Zucchini |
| Eggplant | Aubergine | Eggplant |
| Arugula | Rocket | Rocket |
| Cilantro | Coriander | Coriander |
| Cookie | Biscuit | Biscuit |
| Baking soda | Bicarbonate of soda | Bicarbonate of soda |
| Cornstarch | Cornflour | Cornflour |
| Broil | Grill | Grill |
| Skillet | Frying pan | Frying pan |
| Scallion / green onion | Spring onion | Spring onion |
| Ground beef | Minced beef | Minced beef |
| Plastic wrap | Cling film | Cling wrap |
Fan Ovens vs. Conventional Ovens
One more important difference: many European and Australian ovens default to fan-forced (convection) mode, while American recipes usually assume a conventional (non-convection) oven. Fan ovens circulate hot air and cook approximately 20°C (36°F) hotter and 15–20% faster than conventional settings. If your recipe comes from the US (conventional assumption) and you have a fan oven, reduce the temperature by 20°C and start checking for doneness 10–15 minutes early.
Frequently Asked Questions
A UK imperial cup is 284.1 ml, which is 20% larger than a US cup (236.6 ml). An Australian or metric cup is 250 ml — about 5.7% larger than the US standard. For most modern UK recipes, this difference is minimal since UK cookbooks now predominantly use grams.
A US tablespoon is 14.79 ml. An Australian tablespoon is 20 ml — 35% larger. When following an Australian recipe, 3 US tablespoons ≈ 2 Australian tablespoons. This difference is critical for leavening agents, salt, and spices.
Caster sugar (UK/AU) is called superfine sugar in the US. You can make it by pulsing granulated sugar in a food processor for 20–30 seconds until the crystals are finer but not powdery.
Gas Mark 4 = 180°C = 350°F. This is the most common baking temperature for cakes and cookies. Gas Mark 6 = 200°C / 400°F (hot roasting). Gas Mark 7 = 220°C / 425°F (very hot, bread and pizza).
UK double cream is closest to US heavy whipping cream. Double cream has a higher fat content (48%+) versus heavy cream (36%), making it richer. For most recipes, heavy cream works well as a substitute. For whipping, double cream produces stiffer peaks.
Plain flour (UK/AU) is exactly the same as all-purpose flour (US). Both are medium-protein wheat flour suitable for most baking including cakes, cookies, pastry, and most breads.
Self-raising flour (UK spelling) = self-rising flour (US spelling). Both are all-purpose flour pre-mixed with baking powder and salt. To make your own: 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1.5 tsp baking powder + 0.25 tsp salt.
Related Tools
- US National Institute of Standards and Technology — US customary volume units
- Standards Australia — AS 1344:1995 — kitchen measuring standards
- UK Weights and Measures Act 1985 — imperial volume definitions
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand — tablespoon standardization
- King Arthur Baking — US vs international cup measurement guide