How to halve (or double) a recipe
½ of 3/4 cup = 6 Tbsp
or 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp · ½ of 1/3 cup = 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp
Converter
Other cup standards
US cups: 0.75 · nutrition-label cups (240 mL): 0.739 · metric cups (250 mL): 0.71 · UK fluid ounces: 6.25
Halving a recipe is simple until you reach 3/4 cup, 1/3 cup or a single egg. Half of 3/4 cup is 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp, half of 1/3 cup is 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp, and half of 1 Tbsp is 1 1/2 tsp. The chart below works out half, a third and double of each cup and spoon amount as scoops you can measure with a standard set.
Write the new amounts on the recipe before you start, since it is easy to halve the flour and forget the salt. For an egg, beat it in a cup and use about half; the rest can go into scrambled eggs or an egg wash.
| Recipe says | Half | A third | Double |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 cup | 2 Tbsp | 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp | 1/2 cup |
| 1/3 cup | 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp | ≈ 1.8 Tbsp | 2 × 1/3 cup |
| 1/2 cup | 1/4 cup | 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp | 1 cup |
| 2/3 cup | 1/3 cup | ≈ 3.6 Tbsp | 1 cup + 1/3 cup |
| 3/4 cup | 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp | 1/4 cup | 1 cup + 1/2 cup |
| 1 cup | 1/2 cup | 1/3 cup | 2 cups |
| 1 1/4 cups | 1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp | 1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp | 2 cups + 1/2 cup |
| 1 1/3 cups | 2 × 1/3 cup | ≈ 7.1 Tbsp | 2 cups + 2 × 1/3 cup |
| 1 1/2 cups | 1/2 cup + 1/4 cup | 1/2 cup | 3 cups |
| 2 cups | 1 cup | 2 × 1/3 cup | 4 cups |
| 3 cups | 1 cup + 1/2 cup | 1 cup | 6 cups |
| Recipe says | Half |
|---|---|
| 1 Tbsp | 1 tsp + 1/2 tsp |
| 2 Tbsp | 1 Tbsp |
| 3 Tbsp | 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp + 1/2 tsp |
| 1 tsp | 1/2 tsp |
| 1 1/2 tsp | 1/2 tsp + 1/4 tsp |
| 1/2 tsp | 1/4 tsp |
Thirds and other awkward splits
Thirds come up when you cut a recipe for 6 down to 2. A third of 1 cup is 5 Tbsp + 1 tsp, a third of 1/2 cup is 2 Tbsp + 2 tsp, a third of 3/4 cup is exactly 1/4 cup, and a third of 1 Tbsp is 1 tsp. When the math lands below 1/8 tsp, a small pinch is close enough for spices and salt. For the most common cases see half of 3/4 cup, half of 1/3 cup and half of 1 1/3 cups.
Doubling a recipe
Doubling is easier math: 3/4 cup becomes 1 1/2 cups and 2/3 cup becomes 1 1/3 cups. Measure each doubled amount with the fewest scoops, such as 1 cup + 1/2 cup instead of six 1/4 cups, so you are less likely to lose count.
Pans, baking time and seasoning
Changing the batch size changes more than the ingredients. A half batch needs a smaller pan to keep the batter at the same depth, and a different pan size or depth changes the baking time, so start checking early and go by the doneness cues in the recipe. A doubled batter may do better in two pans than in one deeper pan. Taste and adjust seasoning at the end, because salt and spices do not always scale evenly.
Questions
What is half of 3/4 cup?
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp, which is 3 fl oz.
What is half of 1/3 cup?
2 Tbsp + 2 tsp, which is 1/6 cup.
How do you halve one egg?
Beat the egg, then use about half of it. With a scale, weigh the beaten egg and pour off half by weight.
What is half of 2/3 cup?
1/3 cup.
By Alton Vieira · Updated . Sources: US customary units: NIST Handbook 44. How we calculate.