How Many Grams Is a Full Stick of Butter?

December 14, 2025 •

3 min read

According to standard US packaging, a single full stick of butter contains 113 grams, or approximately 4 ounces. This metric conversion is a common point of confusion for international home bakers and cooks adapting American recipes, highlighting the importance of precise measurement for consistent culinary results.

Quick Summary

This article clarifies the weight of a standard stick of butter in grams, explains the volume equivalencies, details global variations in butter packaging, and provides a comprehensive conversion guide for all your baking needs.

Key Points

Standard US Stick: A full stick of butter in the United States weighs 113 grams, which is equal to 1/4 pound.
Volume Equivalence: One standard stick also equals 1/2 cup or 8 tablespoons.
International Variation: Other countries, like Australia and the UK, sell butter in larger blocks (e.g., 250g), making direct stick-for-block substitutions inaccurate.
Precision is Key: For the most accurate results, particularly in baking, use a digital kitchen scale to measure butter in grams rather than relying on volume or stick markings.
Margarine Consistency: Sticks of margarine typically adhere to the same 113-gram standard weight as butter in the US.
Quick Conversions: A half stick is approximately 57g, and one tablespoon is around 14g, useful for smaller recipe portions.

The Definitive Weight of a Stick of Butter

For many living outside the United States, a recipe calling for a "stick of butter" can be a perplexing instruction. The answer to how many grams is a full stick is 113 grams. This standard measurement, often sold in four-stick, one-pound packages in the US, is a quarter of a pound. Knowing this exact conversion is critical for baking and cooking, where precision is key to a recipe's success.

Volume Equivalents

In addition to its gram weight, a standard stick of butter also has several volume-based equivalents that are helpful for quick reference. These include:

1/2 cup
8 tablespoons
4 ounces

Many butter sticks have markings on the wrapper for easier cutting and portioning, but using a digital kitchen scale remains the most accurate method, especially for sensitive baking recipes.

Global Differences in Butter Packaging

It is crucial to be aware that the 'stick' is not a universal measurement. Many countries operate exclusively on the metric system and sell butter in blocks of 250g or 500g. This can lead to disastrous baking results if not properly converted.

Case Study: Australia vs. USA

In Australia, for instance, a standard block of butter is 250g. If a baker simply uses half of their block to meet a recipe's call for one US stick (113g), they would be adding 125g of butter, which could significantly alter the texture and outcome of the dish. This is a common pitfall that proper conversions can prevent.

A Comparison of Regional Butter Measurements

To highlight the differences, consider this table comparing common butter measurements by region.


Unit	United States	United Kingdom	Australia / New Zealand
Standard Unit	Stick (113g)	Block (250g)	Block (250g)
1 Stick Equivalent	113g (1/2 cup)	113g (approx. half a 250g block)	113g (less than half a 250g block)
1 Cup Butter	227g (2 sticks)	227g	240g (often rounded from 226g)
1 Pound Block	454g (4 sticks)	Not standard	Not standard

Converting Other Butter Measurements to Grams

If your recipe calls for measurements other than a full stick, here are some helpful conversions to ensure you always have the right amount.

How many grams is a half stick?

Since a full stick is 113g, a half stick is exactly 56.5g. Many bakers simply round this up to 57g for convenience. The markings on US butter wrappers often help with this.

How many grams is a tablespoon?

A single tablespoon of butter is approximately 14 grams. As a stick is 8 tablespoons, this is a quick way to check if your measurements are correct (8 x 14g = 112g, very close to the 113g standard).

How many grams is a quarter stick?

A quarter stick of butter, which is 2 tablespoons, is 28 grams. This is an ideal measurement for smaller batches of recipes or for adding just a small amount of fat to a pan.

Measuring ingredients by weight is not just a matter of convenience but of scientific accuracy, especially in baking where the ratio of ingredients like butter, flour, and sugar is crucial. For more complex conversions, online tools and a reliable digital scale are invaluable. The WebstaurantStore's blog offers a comprehensive look at various butter measurements, which can be an excellent resource for any home cook looking to improve their accuracy.

Conclusion

While a standard US stick of butter weighs 113 grams, understanding this is just the first step. Navigating different regional packaging and converting from volume measurements to weight is essential for any aspiring or experienced baker. Adopting a digital kitchen scale and a reliable conversion chart will demystify any recipe and lead to more consistent, delicious results. This simple knowledge empowers you to confidently tackle recipes from around the globe without worrying about inconsistencies in your ingredients.

Beyond Butter: General Conversion Tips

Even with the correct conversions, different types of butter can have varying densities depending on their fat and water content. European butters, for example, tend to have a higher butterfat content than their American counterparts. This is another factor that professional bakers consider for the perfect result. For most home baking, however, knowing that one stick is 113 grams is the most important conversion to master for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

A half stick of butter weighs approximately 57 grams. Since a full stick is 113 grams, half of that is 56.5 grams, which is commonly rounded up to 57 grams for baking convenience.

No, a 'stick of butter' is primarily a US measurement and is not standard globally. In many other countries, butter is sold in metric blocks, such as 250g or 500g.

One full stick of butter is equal to 8 tablespoons.

Yes, in the United States, a stick of margarine is typically sold in the same size and weight, equating to 113 grams.

Measuring by weight (grams) is more accurate because butter's density can vary slightly, and volume measurements using a cup can be inconsistent due to packing technique. A kitchen scale provides a precise and reliable weight measurement.

A standard pound of butter (454 grams) contains four sticks, with each stick weighing 113 grams.

The most reliable method is to use a digital kitchen scale and weigh out 113 grams of butter from your local block. This ensures accuracy and helps avoid any measurement errors.

The markings on butter wrappers are generally accurate enough for most cooking applications. However, for highly precise baking where exact measurements are critical, using a digital kitchen scale is the recommended method.