Does an ounce measure WEIGHT or VOLUME?

ennaejay
ennaejay Posts: 575
edited October 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Does this annoy anyone else? Is there a hard and fast rule I can use when I'm logging my foods? Is an ounce of juice weight, and an ounce of cheese volume? How about 4oz of meat vs. 4oz of dry cereal?

I haven't researched this, but somebody out there's got to have an answer. Why can't we just use simple Cups and Tablespoons to measure volume instead of weight.

I don't have a kitchen scale so meh to all you metric junkies.

Replies

  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    It annoys me also, they should add a column explaining the unit.
    I default to weight unless its a liquid.
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    In general an ounce of liquid is a measure of volume and an ounce of a solid is a measure of weight.

    With water an ounce weighs an ounce hence a pint is a pound the world around.
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    There is a huge difference between a dry ounce and a fluid ounce. This conversion chart might help http://www.lemelange.com/conversion_chart.htm
  • kendernau
    kendernau Posts: 155 Member
    As a general rule,

    1oz = weight for non-liquids

    1oz = volume for liquids

    Like was said earlier 1oz water (volume) = 1oz water (weight), but water is the only substance I know about where that is true (others are close, but not quite there)
  • juliapurpletoes
    juliapurpletoes Posts: 951 Member
    i think we metric junkies like to weigh our food because it is soooooooooooooooooooooo much more accurate when trying to understand calories...

    And, personally, (call me crazy) it is FUN! Science - gotta love it! :drinker:
  • AnneGenevieveS
    AnneGenevieveS Posts: 441 Member
    food is measured in ounce weight. Liquids are measured in ounce volume.

    yes, its confusing. That is the only unit I know of that can be both
  • JaniseCookston
    JaniseCookston Posts: 49 Member
    There are two types of ounces (which I agree is stupid and confusing) one measures weight and one measures volume.

    The ounce (oz.) is a unit of weight

    The fluid ounce (fl. oz.) is a unit of volume

    You should always assume that when you see oz. it is a measure of weight.

    Hope that helps.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    And ounce is volume for liquids and weight for solids.
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    O.o I didn't realize thing were different xD I just put everything on my food scale :O
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,223 Member
    In general an ounce of liquid is a measure of volume and an ounce of a solid is a measure of weight.

    With water an ounce weighs an ounce hence a pint is a pound the world around.
    THIS!
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    Don't you love the "imperial" system?
  • javamonster
    javamonster Posts: 272 Member
    And this is why the metric system is much more logical....:wink:
  • jennajava
    jennajava Posts: 2,176 Member
    powders/liquids-- volume
    solids-- weight

    :)
  • Thomasm198
    Thomasm198 Posts: 3,189 Member
    And this is why the metric system is much more logical....:wink:
    ^^^^This!!!

    Plus the metric system is decimalised. It's much easier to count in 10's rather than 8's, 12's, 14's, 16's. :smile:
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    In general an ounce of liquid is a measure of volume and an ounce of a solid is a measure of weight.

    With water an ounce weighs an ounce hence a pint is a pound the world around.

    If it's liquid I measure in fluid ounces, if it's solid I measure it in weighted ounces.
  • ennaejay
    ennaejay Posts: 575
    Well you definitely have me convinced - thanks for the answers; even if you're all dead wrong, I'll go with the majority on this one. I'm still a little confused about ice cream, is that a solid or a liquid? (joking... mostly. I just ate half a quart so I think that's pretty black and white).

    If anyone wants to mail me a food scale, I'll give you my shipping address...
    Don't you love the "imperial" system?

    Funny you should call it that; I could swear the evil metric system had Darth Vadar written all over it!

    UpEarly, thanks for the conversion chart! :happy:
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