How many tomatoes to get a cup?

December 6, 2025 •

3 min read

According to agricultural data, a single large tomato can yield approximately 1 cup when chopped. This article answers the question, "How many tomatoes to get a cup?" by providing specific conversion breakdowns based on tomato size and preparation style to ensure your recipes are perfectly balanced.

Quick Summary

This guide provides fresh tomato conversions for various sizes, including cherry, Roma, and large tomatoes, to measure out one cup. It covers different preparations like chopped and diced, addressing factors that affect volume and offering a comprehensive chart for easy reference.

Key Points

Variety matters: The number of tomatoes needed for a cup varies significantly by type, with large varieties requiring fewer than small ones like cherry or grape.
One large tomato equals one cup: As a general rule of thumb, one large, round tomato will yield approximately one cup when chopped.
Romas are denser: For Roma tomatoes, use about two to achieve a cup of diced, cored, and seeded tomatoes.
Cherry tomatoes add up: You will need around 12 diced cherry tomatoes to measure one cup.
Prep affects volume: Whether you dice, chop, or purée the tomatoes, and whether you remove the seeds, will change the final volume.
Pack gently: To avoid squishing the tomatoes and getting inaccurate measurements, pack them gently into the measuring cup.

Understanding Tomato Conversions for Your Recipes

Accurate ingredient measurements are crucial for successful cooking and baking, especially when a recipe calls for a specific volume, like a cup of tomatoes. However, since tomatoes vary significantly in size, from small cherry tomatoes to large beefsteak varieties, it's not a one-size-fits-all answer. The conversion depends on the type of tomato and how it's prepared, whether chopped, diced, or puréed. For example, a larger tomato will yield more volume than a small one, and removing the seeds and core will slightly decrease the overall volume.

Fresh Tomato Conversions by Size

The most important factor when converting from whole tomatoes to cups is the size and variety of the tomato. Here's a general breakdown to help you get the right amount every time:

Large Tomato: A single large tomato (approximately 3 inches in diameter) is typically enough to yield 1 cup when chopped.
Medium Tomato: You will need roughly 1.25 medium-sized round garden tomatoes to achieve 1 cup of chopped volume.
Small Tomatoes: For small varieties, you might need two or more to reach the 1-cup mark when chopped or sliced.

Speciality Tomato Conversions

Certain tomato varieties are so distinct that they require their own specific conversions. Here are some of the most common types and their approximate yield per cup, which is particularly useful for specific culinary applications like making salsa or sauces.

Roma Tomatoes: These are denser and more oblong. You'll need about 2 Roma tomatoes to yield 1 cup of diced, seeded, and cored tomatoes. If you chop them with the core and seeds, you can expect slightly more, around 1 ¼ cups.
Cherry Tomatoes: These tiny, sweet tomatoes require a greater quantity. Expect to use about 12 cherry tomatoes to get 1 cup of diced tomatoes (seeded and cored). If you include the seeds and core, it will be a bit more.
Grape Tomatoes: Even smaller and more oblong than cherry tomatoes, you will need approximately 30 grape tomatoes to produce 1 cup of diced tomatoes (seeded and cored).
Campari Tomatoes: These are known for their sweetness and juicy texture. You will need about 3.5 Campari tomatoes to yield 1 cup of diced tomatoes (seeded and cored).

Factors Affecting Your Tomato Yield

Beyond just the type of tomato, several other factors can influence how many tomatoes it takes to fill a cup. Considering these can help you fine-tune your measurements for a more precise outcome.

Preparation Method: Chopped, diced, sliced, or pureed all affect the final volume. For example, a pound of fresh tomatoes will yield about 2.5 to 3 cups chopped but only 1.5 cups if puréed.
Seeding and Coring: Removing the seeds and core will slightly reduce the total volume. Recipes for drier preparations, like salsa, often call for seeded tomatoes to prevent a watery result.
Density of Tomato: Some varieties, like Romas, have a higher flesh-to-seed ratio, meaning they are denser and yield more volume per tomato compared to juicier varieties.
How Firmly Packed: When measuring, remember that how tightly you pack the tomatoes into the cup can affect the final volume. A gentle scoop is often best to avoid crushing the fruit and releasing excess liquid.

Comparison Table: Tomato Conversions at a Glance

To simplify your cooking, here is a quick-reference table for converting different types of tomatoes to a single cup of chopped volume.


Tomato Type	Quantity to Yield 1 Cup (Chopped)	Notes
Large Tomato (approx. 3" dia)	1	Versatile for many recipes.
Medium Tomato	1.25	A general-purpose tomato conversion.
Roma Tomato	2	Denser flesh, great for sauces and pastes.
Campari Tomato	3.5	Sweet and juicy, good for salads and sauces.
Cherry Tomato	12	Small size means more are needed; ideal for salads.
Grape Tomato	30	Very small size; often used whole or in halves.

Conclusion: Mastering Your Tomato Conversions

Determining how many tomatoes to get a cup ultimately depends on the size and variety of the tomatoes you have on hand and how you plan to prepare them. For most cooking, knowing that one large or two Roma tomatoes will yield a cup is a reliable starting point. For more precise recipes or when using smaller varieties, consulting a conversion chart ensures you get the right balance of flavor and texture. By understanding these simple principles, you can confidently substitute tomatoes in any recipe, creating delicious meals with consistent results every time.

This information is for culinary purposes only. For nutritional or dietary information, consult a qualified professional. You can find more comprehensive tomato conversion information on reputable culinary websites, like The Spruce Eats, for further reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

You will need approximately two medium Roma tomatoes to get a full cup once they have been diced, cored, and seeded. If left with seeds and core, this could yield up to 1 ¼ cups.

You can expect to use about 12 cherry tomatoes to yield one cup of diced tomatoes (seeded and cored). If chopped with the seeds and core, you would need a similar amount for a slightly larger volume.

A single large tomato, roughly 3 inches in diameter, is typically sufficient to yield one cup of chopped tomato.

Yes, removing the seeds and watery core will slightly reduce the volume of the chopped tomatoes. This is often done for recipes like salsa to control moisture content.

The weight of a cup of chopped tomatoes varies by variety and density, but it typically weighs around 180 grams. A more precise measurement is possible with a food scale for consistency.

As a general guideline, 1 cup of canned tomatoes is roughly equivalent to 1 ½ cups of fresh, chopped, and cooked tomatoes. For specific measurements, refer to a detailed conversion chart.

Yes, there is a difference. A pound of fresh tomatoes will yield about 2.5 to 3 cups chopped, while the same amount might yield closer to 3 cups if sliced.