Units and conversions in recipes
Which units convert into each other, and why a recipe line shows a dash instead of a cost.
Also known as: convert units · cups to pounds · tbsp · tsp · oz to lb · grams · why dash · uom · measurement · metric · imperial · millilitres
You can write a recipe in the units your kitchen uses, even when you buy the ingredient in different ones. Maitaki converts between them to price each line. When it can’t, the line shows — and isn’t counted in the recipe’s cost.
Units you can pick
When you add an ingredient to a recipe, the Unit list has these groups:
| Group | Units |
|---|---|
| Count | ea, portion, serving, piece, slice, batch, clove, leaf, sprig, strip, fillet |
| Weight — US | oz, lb |
| Weight — Metric | g, kg |
| Volume — US | fl oz, cup, pt, qt, gal, tbsp, tsp |
| Volume — Metric | ml, L |
The unit starts as the one the ingredient is priced in, which always works. Change it if you measure it another way.
What converts
| Your recipe says | You buy it by | Converts? |
|---|---|---|
| A weight (oz, lb, g, kg) | Any weight | Yes |
| A volume (cup, tbsp, qt, ml…) | Any volume | Yes |
| ea or piece | The each | Yes |
| ea or piece | Weight | Only once the ingredient has a piece weight |
| A weight | Volume, or the other way round | Only for some ingredients |
| portion, slice, sprig, clove and the other count words | Anything else | No |
Example: you buy olive oil by the gallon and your dressing uses 3 tbsp. Maitaki converts the gallon price to tablespoons and prices the line.
Fix a line that shows ”—”
- Tap Library, then the Recipes tab, and open the recipe.
- Look for the line with — instead of a cost.
- Work out why from the list below.
It's counted, but you buy it by weight
For 2 lemons against lemons priced per pound, Maitaki needs to know what one lemon weighs. Open the ingredient, tap Edit, and fill in One piece weighs about. See Cost by count with a piece weight.
It's a cup or spoon measure, but you buy it by weight
Maitaki can only turn weight into volume for some ingredients. Measure it by weight in the recipe, or in the same kind of unit you buy it in.
The unit is portion, slice, sprig or similar
These only work when the ingredient is priced in that same unit. Use a weight or ea instead.
The ingredient has no price yet
No unit will help until it appears on an invoice. See Which price Maitaki uses for costing.
Changing the unit on a line you’ve already added: support content coming soon. Email support@maitaki.ai and we’ll walk you through it.
Common questions
Is "ea" the same as "piece"?
Yes. Both count single items, and both convert to an ingredient you buy by the each.
What unit should I use for a prep recipe inside a dish?
Use the prep recipe’s yield unit, or one that converts to it. If the sauce yields quarts, 4 fl oz or 0.25 qt both work. See Use prep recipes inside dishes.
Should I change an ingredient's pricing unit to make a recipe work?
Usually not. Fix the recipe line, or add a piece weight. Changing a pricing unit affects every recipe that uses the ingredient. See Choose an ingredient’s pricing unit.