Need 1/3 cup but can’t find your measuring cup? No worries. Whether you’re in the middle of baking or just estimating a portion size, there are easy ways to measure 1/3 cup accurately using everyday items and conversions.
Here are the best methods for measuring 1/3 cup without a 1/3 measuring cup—no guesswork required.
📊 Quick Reference: 1/3 Cup Conversions
| Measurement | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Tablespoons | 5 tbsp + 1 tsp |
| Teaspoons | 16 tsp |
| Fluid Ounces | 2.6 fl oz |
| Milliliters | 78 mL |
1. Use Spoons: Tablespoons and Teaspoons
The easiest way to get 1/3 cup:
- 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon
- Or 16 teaspoons if that’s all you have
This is one of the most accurate manual methods without a measuring cup.
2. Estimate Using a Liquid Measuring Cup
If your measuring cup shows ounces or mL:
- Fill to 2.6 fluid ounces or 78 mL
This is particularly useful for liquids or thin batters.
3. Use a Kitchen Scale
For water-based ingredients, 1/3 cup = 2.6 oz (by weight)
- Use a kitchen scale and tare it with your bowl first
- Then add until it reaches 2.6 oz
For dry ingredients, you’ll need a weight chart (e.g., 1/3 cup of flour = ~42 grams).
4. Eyeball with a Coffee Cup
Most standard coffee mugs hold 1 cup. Fill it roughly one-third of the way full.
- Best used for approximate needs (not precise baking)
5. Use Eggs or Food Comparisons
1 large egg = ~1/4 cup
- Add another tablespoon or so of liquid to equal ~1/3 cup
You can also use 2.5 tablespoons of peanut butter or yogurt as a rough volume visual.
6. Divide a 1-Cup Portion
If you have a 1-cup measure:
- Fill it full, pour it out onto a plate or bowl
- Divide the contents into three equal parts
- One part = 1/3 cup
This trick also works with a mason jar, bowl, or any container with a known capacity.
Final Thoughts
Missing a 1/3 cup isn’t a kitchen emergency. With 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon or a few other tricks, you can measure out exactly what you need using what you already have.
Once you get familiar with these methods, you may not even miss that pesky 1/3 cup tool again.
Also check out:
- How to Measure 3/4 Cup Without a Measuring Cup
- Kitchen Measurement Conversion Chart (Printable)
- Can You Use a Shot Glass, Yogurt Cup, or Baby Bottle to Measure Ingredients?
Anne James—lovingly known as Jelly Grandma—is a professional canner, seasoned home cook, and lifelong preserver of traditional Southern skills. With over 55 years of hands-on experience in canning, gardening, cooking, and quilting, Anne brings generations of wisdom to every guide she writes.
Featured in both local media and by national brands like Hershey, Anne now shares her knowledge through PreservingSweetness.com and her YouTube channel, helping others rediscover the “old ways” of living well and making things from scratch.