Ounce (Weight)

The weight ounce (abbreviated as oz, and formally known as the avoirdupois ounce) is a standard unit of mass or weight in the United States customary system. One weight ounce is equivalent to exactly 1/16 of a pound, or approximately 28.3495 grams. It is critical for home cooks to distinguish this unit from the fluid ounce (fl oz), which measures volume. While one fluid ounce of water happens to weigh approximately one ounce, this relationship does not hold true for other ingredients. For example, one fluid ounce of all-purpose flour weighs only about 0.5 ounces, whereas one fluid ounce of honey weighs approximately 1.4 ounces.

Weighing dry ingredients like flour, sugar, and butter in ounces on a digital kitchen scale is infinitely more accurate than measuring them with volume cups. This is because weight measurements are unaffected by environmental factors such as humidity, how tightly an ingredient is packed, or the method of scooping. Professional bakers rely on weight ounces or grams to ensure absolute consistency in their recipes across different kitchens and climates.