How to Measure 3/4 Cup When You Don’t Have the Right Measuring Cup?

You’re making some pancakes, banana bread, or another delicious treat when you stumble upon a 3/4 cup measurement in your recipe. But here’s the thing: you don’t have a 3/4 cup around your kitchen. There’s no need to sweat, though—plenty of measuring options are available for both dry and wet ingredients. We’ve covered everything you need to know so you can spend less time measuring and more time whipping up the food you love.

How much is 3/4 cups?

3/4 cup equals 12 tablespoons, 36 teaspoons, or 6 fluid ounces (180 milliliters). For example, if a recipe calls for 3/4 cup of sugar, you can use 12 tablespoons of sugar, or if you need 3/4 cup of milk, you can measure out 6 fluid ounces.

Things You Should Know

Measure out 12 tablespoons or 36 teaspoons if only measuring spoons are available.
Use household containers that hold 6 fl oz (180 mL), such as cans, mason jars, or food canisters. A 6 fl oz (180 mL) container has the same volume as a 3/4 cup.
If you don’t have a 3/4 measuring cup on hand, use 1/4 and 1/2 cups. For wet ingredients, use a liquid measuring cup.

Measurement Conversions & Equivalents

Step 1: Measure Dry Ingredients Using 1/4 and 1/2 Measuring Cups

If you have a basic set of measuring cups, you can measure your dry ingredients using 1/4 and 1/2 cups. Combine these measurements to make 3/4 cup. If you don’t like using two different measuring cups, fill and dump the 1/4 cup three times.

Pro Tip: Larger measuring cup sets often include a 3/4 cup, or you can buy 3/4 measuring cups individually.

Step 2: Convert a 3/4 Cup to 12 Tablespoons or 36 Teaspoons

If you only have measuring spoons, you can convert 3/4 cup to 12 tablespoons or 36 teaspoons. Another way to think of it is 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons.

Step 3: Use Any Container That Holds 6 fl oz (180 mL)

The volume of a 3/4 cup is 6 fl oz (180 mL). Any container holding precisely 6 fl oz (180 mL) can help you measure wet and dry ingredients. Here are some household items that might fit the bill:

A small mason jar (some mason jars also come with measurement notches)
Small food canisters
Small leftover cans
A laboratory beaker

Pro Tip: If you only have more giant cans, fill an 8 fl oz (240 mL) can 75% complete or a 12 fl oz (360 mL) can halfway complete. Note that this isn’t the most accurate way to measure.

Alternate Ways to Measure

Use a Kitchen Scale to Measure the Precise Weights of Ingredients

You can use a kitchen scale if your recipe provides ingredient amounts in ounces or grams. Place your ingredients into a cup on the scale to see if you’ve measured the precise amount. Always weigh your measuring tool first and subtract its weight from the total. Here’s a cheat sheet for some common dry ingredients:

Flour: 90 grams
Sugar: 150 grams
Cocoa powder: 75 grams

Best Practices for Measuring Cups

Step 1: Scoop Dry Ingredients Into Your Measuring Cup with a Spoon

Scoop the dry ingredients into your measuring cup with a spoon. Once the cup is filled, level it off with something flat, like the back of a butter knife, to prevent the ingredient from getting packed down. For more precise results, double-check the weight with a food scale.

Step 2: Use a Liquid Measuring Cup to Measure Liquids

Place a liquid measuring cup on a flat surface for wet ingredients and pour it until it reaches the 3/4 line. Bend down to eye level to check that the bottom of the meniscus (the curved surface of the liquid) aligns with the 3/4 or 180 mL line.

Cups and Tablespoons

Cups and tablespoons are both units of volume used in cooking and baking. In the United States, these measurements are part of the customary system:

One cup is equal to 8 fluid ounces or 16 tablespoons.
One tablespoon (tbsp) equals 3 teaspoons or 1/16 of a cup.

These measurements might differ slightly in other countries, so always double-check the conversion rates if you’re using a recipe from another world.

Common Conversions

Here are some other common conversions you might need in the kitchen:

1/2 cup is equal to 8 tablespoons.
1/4 cup is equal to 4 tablespoons.
1/3 cup is equal to 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon.

Conversion Methods

Using Math

To convert 3/4 cup to tablespoons, multiply 16 tablespoons by 3/4: $16 \times \frac{3}{4} = 12$

So, 3/4 cup is equal to 12 tablespoons.

Measuring Tools

For a hands-on approach, use measuring tools:

Fill a 1/4 cup measuring cup three times to equal 3/4 cup.
For each 1/4 cup, transfer the ingredients into a tablespoon, one spoonful at a time. Each 1/4 cup is equal to 4 tablespoons.
Repeat three times to get 12 tablespoons, equating to 3/4 cup.

Online Converters

Online converters are a digital solution for conversions. Enter 3/4 cup as the input and select tablespoons as the output. The converter will provide the result: 12 tablespoons.

Ensure the converter uses the correct measurement system (US customary) for accurate results.

Using these methods, you can accurately measure 3/4 cups without a dedicated 3/4 measuring cup, ensuring your recipes turn out perfectly every time. Happy cooking!

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Igor M

My name is Igor, and I like food and cooking. On this website, I will share facts related to nutrition, food, big US food chain brands, kitchen, United States grocery store reviews, etc.

As an avid reader of cookbooks and professional chef blog posts, I will try to create helpful articles.

I enjoy researching different food industry topics such as sustainability in farming practices, health benefits of certain ingredients, food marketing tactics used by large companies, etc. This helps him stay informed on the latest nutrition news and develop a deeper understanding of how our food choices can directly impact our overall health and well-being.

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