How To Convert Cups To Pounds

Converting measurements is often necessary when you are involved in cooking. Measuring ingredients can require that liquids be converted from one unit of measure to another. A liquid such as water, for example, may need to be converted to ounces or pounds before being mixed. This can at first seem a daunting task, however, when the problem is approached from a point where basic equivalents are considered, then the problem may be more easily worked and the conversion made.

Step 1

Begin converting cups to pounds by understanding a few basic conversion points. 16 ounces equals one pound or two cups. Another way to look at the equivalent is that one cup weighs eight ounces and therefore two cups equal 16 ounces and this is the same weight of one pound–16 ounces.

Step 2

Convert a cup measurement to pounds by applying the formula in step one to the problem. For example, if you are converting five cups to pounds you will first multiply five (the number of cups) by eight (the number of ounces in one cup). The answer here is 40.

Step 3

Divide the number 40 by 16 or the number of ounces in one pound. So, in the example, 40 divided by 16 equals two and one half. The answer is five cups weighs 2.5 pounds. Another way to look at the problem is that for every one pound you must have two cups.