Understanding Unit Conversions

FourFork automatically converts between different measurement units to match your preferences and needs.

Types of Measurements

Volume Units

• Milliliters (ml)
• Liters (L)
• Teaspoons (tsp)
• Tablespoons (tbsp)
• Fluid ounces (fl oz)
• Cups
• Pints
• Quarts
• Gallons

Weight Units

• Grams (g)
• Kilograms (kg)
• Ounces (oz)
• Pounds (lb)

Count Units

• Individual items (e.g., "2 apples")
• Packages
• Cans
• Bunches

Special Units

• Pinch
• Dash
• To taste

How Conversions Work

Volume to Volume

Simple mathematical conversions:

• 1 cup = 240 ml
• 1 tbsp = 15 ml
• 1 tsp = 5 ml
• Standard conversions, always accurate

Weight to Weight

Direct conversions:

• 1 kg = 1000 g
• 1 lb = 16 oz
• 1 oz = 28.35 g
• Always precise

Volume to Weight

Depends on ingredient density:

• 1 cup of flour ≠ 1 cup of sugar in weight
• Each ingredient has specific conversion factors
• Based on typical density for that ingredient
• Example: 1 cup all-purpose flour = 120g

Count to Weight

Based on average item weight:

• 1 medium apple = approximately 180g
• 1 large egg = approximately 50g
• Varies by size designation (small, medium, large)

Canonical Units

Every ingredient has a "canonical" measurement:

• Usually weight (grams) for most ingredients
• Volume (ml) for liquids
• Count for items typically sold individually

Canonical units ensure:

• Accurate nutrition calculations
• Consistent shopping lists
• Proper recipe scaling

Display Units

Recipes show measurements in the most practical unit:

• Spices: teaspoons, tablespoons
• Produce: count (3 tomatoes) or weight (500g)
• Liquids: cups, ml, or liters
• Flour/Sugar: cups or grams
• Butter: tablespoons, grams, or sticks

Context-Aware Conversions

Some ingredients convert differently based on preparation:

• Raw spinach (by volume): Very light, 1 cup = ~30g
• Cooked spinach (by volume): Dense, 1 cup = ~180g
• The system tracks which form you're using

Conversion Accuracy

Highly Accurate:

• Volume to volume conversions
• Weight to weight conversions
• Standard baking measurements

Reasonably Accurate:

• Volume to weight (ingredient density)
• Average item weights
• Based on USDA data and community voting

Approximate:

• "To taste" amounts
• Pinches and dashes
• Highly variable ingredients

User Preferences

You can set preferred measurement systems:

• Metric (grams, ml, liters)
• Imperial (ounces, cups, tablespoons)
• Hybrid (practical units for each ingredient)

Recipes automatically display in your preference when possible.

Shopping List Conversions

When adding recipes to your cart:

• Ingredients are converted to canonical units
• Same ingredients are combined
• Converted to practical shopping units
• Example: "50g butter + 100g butter = 150g (1.5 sticks)"

When Conversions Aren't Possible

Some conversions can't be automatic:

• "1 can tomatoes" to grams (can sizes vary)
• "1 bunch herbs" to grams (bunch sizes vary)
• "To taste" to any measurement

In these cases:

• Recipe shows original measurement
• You may need to adjust manually
• Use your judgment when shopping