This recipe scaler resizes any ingredient list in seconds. Paste the ingredients, enter how many servings the recipe makes and how many you need, or tap Half, 1.5×, Double or Triple. Every amount is multiplied and rounded to measurements you can actually use, like ⅓ cup or 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons, in US or metric units.
Recipe scaler
Paste your ingredients, set the servings, and get every amount resized into easy cups, spoons and fractions.
Scaled recipe
Scale factor: 2×
Paste your ingredient list to see it scaled by 2×.
Paste your ingredients, one per line, or try the example.
Cooking time and pan size may need to change when you scale a recipe.
How to use the recipe scaler
- Copy the ingredient list from any recipe and paste it into the box, one ingredient per line.
- Enter the number of servings the recipe makes and the number you want. You can also use a count, such as 24 cookies to 36 cookies.
- Read the scaled list on the right. The original amount is shown faintly beside each line so you can double-check.
- Switch to Metric if you cook with milliliters and grams, then copy or print the result.
Lines without an amount at the start, such as “salt to taste” or “juice of 1 lemon,” are left as written and marked so you can adjust them yourself.
How recipe scaling works
Divide the servings you want by the servings the recipe makes. The result is the scale factor. A recipe for 4 scaled to 6 has a factor of 1.5; scaled to 2, the factor is 0.5. Each ingredient is multiplied by that number.
The tricky part is turning the answer into something you can measure. Half of ⅓ cup is about 0.17 cups, which no measuring cup shows. The scaler converts it to 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons instead.
Kitchen equivalents to know
- 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
- 4 tablespoons = ¼ cup
- 16 tablespoons = 1 cup
- 2 cups = 1 pint, 4 cups = 1 quart
- 1 stick of butter = ½ cup = 8 tablespoons
- 1 pound = 16 ounces
Need weights instead of cups? Use our cups to grams converter for flour, sugar, butter and more.
Scaling eggs and other whole items
Eggs, cans, cloves and other whole items are rounded to the nearest half and marked with an asterisk. For half an egg, beat one egg and use about 1½ tablespoons. When a scaled recipe calls for 2½ eggs, using 2 large eggs plus a little extra liquid, or 3 smaller eggs, also works.
Baking vs. cooking
Baking
Most cakes, cookies, brownies and quick breads halve or double well. Weigh the flour if you can, since small errors grow when you scale. For very large batches, mix two separate batches rather than one oversized one.
Cooking
Soups, stews, sauces and casseroles scale easily. Season a scaled-up dish gradually: add about three-quarters of the salt, spices and chili, then taste and adjust.
Pan sizes and cooking times
When you change the amount of batter or food, change the pan to keep the same depth. Compare pan areas:
- 8-inch square pan: 64 square inches
- 9-inch square pan: 81 square inches
- 9×13-inch pan: 117 square inches
- 8-inch round pan: about 50 square inches
- 9-inch round pan: about 64 square inches
A deeper pan needs more time and sometimes a slightly lower temperature. A halved recipe in a smaller pan usually bakes faster, so start checking early. Our oven temperature conversion chart helps when a recipe uses Celsius or gas marks.
Tips for scaling recipes
- Write the scaled amounts down before you start, so you do not mix up old and new numbers.
- Leaveners such as baking powder and baking soda scale with the recipe for halving and doubling.
- Liquids for braises and soups may not need to scale fully, since less evaporates from a larger pot.
- Missing an ingredient after scaling up? Check our ingredient substitutions.
Looking for something to scale? Start with our easy dinners or easy desserts, or browse more cooking guides.
Halving and doubling cheat sheet
| Amount | Half | Double |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | ½ cup | 2 cups |
| ¾ cup | ¼ cup + 2 tbsp | 1½ cups |
| ⅔ cup | ⅓ cup | 1⅓ cups |
| ½ cup | ¼ cup | 1 cup |
| ⅓ cup | 2 tbsp + 2 tsp | ⅔ cup |
| ¼ cup | 2 tbsp | ½ cup |
| 1 tbsp | 1½ tsp | 2 tbsp |
| 1 tsp | ½ tsp | 2 tsp |
| ½ tsp | ¼ tsp | 1 tsp |
| ¼ tsp | ⅛ tsp | ½ tsp |
| 1 stick butter (½ cup) | ½ stick (4 tbsp) | 2 sticks (1 cup) |
| 1 large egg | ½ egg (about 1½ tbsp beaten) | 2 large eggs |
Recipe scaling FAQ
How do I scale a recipe?
Divide the number of servings you want by the number the recipe makes. That gives you the scale factor. Multiply every ingredient by it. To turn a 4-serving recipe into 6 servings, the factor is 6 ÷ 4 = 1.5, so 1 cup of broth becomes 1½ cups.
How do I halve a recipe that uses 1 egg?
Beat the egg in a small bowl and use about half of it, roughly 1½ tablespoons. Save the rest for scrambled eggs or an egg wash.
What is half of ⅓ cup?
Half of ⅓ cup is 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons. Half of ¾ cup is ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons, and half of ¼ cup is 2 tablespoons.
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
There are 16 tablespoons in 1 cup, and 3 teaspoons in 1 tablespoon. So ¼ cup is 4 tablespoons and ½ cup is 8 tablespoons.
Do I need to change the cooking time when I scale a recipe?
Often, yes. A larger batch in a deeper pan takes longer, and a smaller batch cooks faster. Start checking a halved recipe about 25% sooner, and use a thermometer or the doneness cues in the recipe rather than the clock.
What pan should I use when I double a recipe?
Match the pan area. An 8-inch square pan holds 64 square inches, and a 9×13-inch pan holds 117, so a 9×13 works for a doubled 8-inch recipe with slightly thinner results. Two 8-inch round pans hold about 100 square inches together.
Can I scale baking recipes?
Yes. Halving and doubling cakes, cookies and quick breads works well, especially if you weigh ingredients. For bigger batches, mixing two separate batches is more reliable than one very large one.
Does the scaler work with metric recipes?
Yes. Paste grams, kilograms, milliliters or liters and the scaler reads them. Switch the output to Metric to see milliliters, liters, grams and kilograms. It converts volume to volume and weight to weight; to turn cups into grams, use a cups to grams converter.