This is a pure weight-to-weight conversion, which honestly makes it one of the more relaxing topics on this site — no density complications, no packing technique to argue about, just a fixed ratio between two weight units.
The Formula
1 ounce = 28.35 grams, exactly. Most kitchen scales and recipes round this to 28g for simplicity, since the extra 0.35g per ounce almost never matters at kitchen scale. For larger quantities, the rounding adds up slightly, but rarely enough to affect a recipe's outcome.
Lookup Table
| Ounces | Grams (rounded) |
|---|---|
| 1 oz | 28g |
| 2 oz | 57g |
| 4 oz | 113g |
| 8 oz (½ lb) | 227g |
| 16 oz (1 lb) | 454g |
Why Some Scales Show Slightly Different Numbers
Depending on how a specific scale's firmware rounds the conversion factor, you might see 28g or 28.3g for 1 ounce, and the discrepancy grows slightly at higher weights — 454g vs 453.6g for a pound, for instance. This is a rounding artifact, not a sign that either number is wrong; both are close enough for any home baking application.
Fluid Ounces Are a Different Thing Entirely
Worth repeating here since it trips people up constantly: a fluid ounce measures volume, not weight, and the two aren't interchangeable except loosely for water. If a recipe says "8 fl oz," that's a cup of liquid volume (240ml) — not 227g by weight, even though the numbers happen to be close for water-based liquids specifically.
A Worked Example
A recipe (probably from a US bag of chocolate chips) calls for a 12 oz bag. 12 × 28.35g = 340.2g, so about 340g. If your local chocolate only comes in 200g or 400g bags, 340g sits between the two — closer to the 400g bag, so you'd use most of it and set aside roughly 60g, or just use the full 400g bag and accept a slightly more chocolatey result.
Common Package Sizes and Their Gram Equivalents
| US Package Size | Grams |
|---|---|
| 8 oz cream cheese block | 227g |
| 12 oz chocolate chip bag | 340g |
| 14 oz condensed milk can | 397g |
| 15 oz canned pumpkin | 425g |
FAQ
Is it fine to round 1 oz to 28g instead of 28.35g?
Yes, for virtually all home cooking and baking — the difference only
becomes noticeable at large quantities, and even then rarely affects the
outcome meaningfully.
Why do American recipes still use ounces instead of grams?
Largely historical habit — see our
metric vs
imperial guide for the fuller explanation.
What's the easiest way to convert an odd weight like 6.5 oz?
The conversion tool handles decimals and fractional
ounces directly, faster than multiplying by hand.