Uncooked to Cooked Rice Calculator
Convert between uncooked and cooked rice measurements for different types of rice to get perfect results every time.
Understanding Rice Measurements and Conversions
Rice is a staple food for more than half the world's population and comes in many varieties, each with different cooking properties and expansion ratios. When a recipe calls for cooked rice but you only have uncooked, or vice versa, knowing how to convert between these measurements becomes essential.
The general rule is that rice roughly triples in volume when cooked, though this varies by rice type. White long-grain rice typically yields about 3 cups cooked from 1 cup uncooked, while brown rice yields about 2.5 cups. Short-grain varieties like sushi or arborio rice expand less, yielding about 2 cups cooked per cup uncooked.
Rice Conversion Chart by Type
| Rice Type | 1 Cup Uncooked Yields | Weight (1 cup uncooked) | Water Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Long-Grain | 3 cups cooked | 185 grams | 2:1 |
| White Medium-Grain | 2.75 cups cooked | 190 grams | 1.5:1 |
| White Short-Grain | 2.5 cups cooked | 200 grams | 1.25:1 |
| Brown Rice | 2.5 cups cooked | 190 grams | 2.5:1 |
| Basmati Rice | 3.5 cups cooked | 180 grams | 1.5:1 |
| Jasmine Rice | 3 cups cooked | 185 grams | 1.5:1 |
| Wild Rice | 3.5 cups cooked | 160 grams | 3:1 |
| Sushi Rice | 2 cups cooked | 210 grams | 1:1 |
| Arborio Rice | 2 cups cooked | 200 grams | 3:1 (for risotto) |
Beyond volume, weight is also an important consideration. While 1 cup of uncooked rice weighs about 185-210 grams (depending on the variety), when cooked, that same rice will weigh approximately 175-200 grams per cup. The weight increase from uncooked to cooked rice is substantial due to water absorption.
Rice Conversion Formulas and Calculations
To accurately convert between uncooked and cooked rice measurements, specific formulas are used based on the type of rice. Our calculator uses these formulas to provide precise conversions for recipe planning and meal preparation.
From Uncooked to Cooked Rice (Volume):
• White long-grain rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 3
• White medium-grain rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 2.75
• White short-grain rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 2.5
• Brown rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 2.5
• Basmati rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 3.5
• Jasmine rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 3
• Wild rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 3.5
• Sushi rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 2
• Arborio rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 2
From Cooked to Uncooked Rice (Volume):
• White long-grain rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 3
• White medium-grain rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 2.75
• White short-grain rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 2.5
• Brown rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 2.5
• Basmati rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 3.5
• Jasmine rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 3
• Wild rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 3.5
• Sushi rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 2
• Arborio rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 2
Weight Conversion (Grams):
The weight conversion is more complex because the density of rice changes when cooked. Our calculator uses the following approach:
- Convert the input to cups if necessary
- Apply the volume conversion ratio for the specific rice type
- Convert to grams using type-specific density values
Example calculation:
For 100 grams of uncooked white long-grain rice:
- 100g uncooked = 100g ÷ 185g per cup = 0.54 cups uncooked
- 0.54 cups uncooked × 3 (expansion ratio) = 1.62 cups cooked
- 1.62 cups cooked × 175g per cooked cup = 283.5g cooked
| Starting Measurement | Target Conversion | Formula Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup uncooked white rice | Cooked cups | 1 cup × 3 = 3 cups cooked |
| 2 cups cooked brown rice | Uncooked cups | 2 cups ÷ 2.5 = 0.8 cups uncooked |
| 200g uncooked basmati rice | Cooked weight | (200g ÷ 180g) × 3.5 × 170g = 661g cooked |
| 300g cooked sushi rice | Uncooked weight | (300g ÷ 200g) × (1 ÷ 2) × 210g = 157.5g uncooked |
Using the Rice Calculator for Meal Planning
This calculator is an invaluable tool for precise meal planning, recipe conversion, and portion control. Understanding how to use it effectively can help you achieve consistent results whether you're cooking for a family dinner or preparing meals for the week.
Step-by-Step Usage Guide:
- Select conversion direction (uncooked to cooked or cooked to uncooked)
- Enter the amount of rice you're starting with
- Choose your measurement unit (cups or grams)
- Select your rice type from the dropdown
- Click 'Calculate' to see comprehensive conversion results
Common Scenarios Where This Calculator Helps:
- Recipe Adaptation: When a recipe calls for 2 cups of cooked rice, but you need to know how much uncooked rice to prepare
- Meal Prep Planning: When calculating how much uncooked rice to cook for several days of prepared meals
- Restaurant or Catering Planning: When scaling recipes for large numbers of people
- Dietary Tracking: When converting between cooked and uncooked measurements for nutritional calculations
- International Recipes: When following recipes from different culinary traditions that may use different measurement standards
For meal planning purposes, it's helpful to know that a typical serving of rice is approximately 1/2 to 3/4 cup of cooked rice per person for a side dish, and about 1 to 1.5 cups per person when rice is the main component of a meal. This calculator takes into account a standard serving size of about 3/4 cup of cooked rice per person.
Rice Storage and Preparation Best Practices
Proper storage and preparation techniques can significantly impact the quality and yield of your cooked rice. Consider these expert tips to enhance your rice cooking experience:
Storage Guidelines for Optimal Freshness:
- Uncooked Rice: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Properly stored, white rice can last for years, while brown rice (which contains natural oils) generally keeps for 3-6 months before it may turn rancid.
- Cooked Rice: Refrigerate promptly in sealed containers for up to 4-6 days. For longer storage, freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 6 months.
Preparation Techniques That Affect Yield:
- Rinsing: Rinsing rice removes excess starch and results in fluffier cooked rice with grains that separate better. However, it can slightly reduce the nutritional content (particularly for enriched white rice). Rinsing is particularly important for varieties like basmati, jasmine, and sushi rice.
- Soaking: Soaking certain rice varieties (like basmati or brown rice) before cooking can reduce cooking time and improve texture. Soaked rice may absorb less water during cooking, potentially affecting the final yield slightly.
- Cooking Method: Different cooking methods can impact the final volume and texture. Rice cooked in a rice cooker may yield slightly more than stovetop methods due to more efficient water absorption and less evaporation. Pressure cookers can also affect yield and texture.
Rice-to-Water Ratio Precision:
The right amount of water is crucial for perfect rice and affects the final yield. Some general guidelines by cooking method:
- Stovetop (absorption method): Use the ratios in our conversion table for each rice type
- Rice cooker: Generally use slightly less water than stovetop (about 10-15% less)
- Pressure cooker: Use approximately 25% less water than conventional stovetop cooking
- Excess water method (pasta-style): Rice is cooked in abundant water and then drained, resulting in a slightly different yield
Remember that altitude, humidity, and the age of the rice can all affect water absorption and final yield, so minor adjustments to these ratios may be necessary based on your specific conditions and preferences.
Understanding Rice Measurements and Conversions
Rice is a staple food for more than half the world's population and comes in many varieties, each with different cooking properties and expansion ratios. When a recipe calls for cooked rice but you only have uncooked, or vice versa, knowing how to convert between these measurements becomes essential.
The general rule is that rice roughly triples in volume when cooked, though this varies by rice type. White long-grain rice typically yields about 3 cups cooked from 1 cup uncooked, while brown rice yields about 2.5 cups. Short-grain varieties like sushi or arborio rice expand less, yielding about 2 cups cooked per cup uncooked.
Rice Conversion Chart by Type
| Rice Type | 1 Cup Uncooked Yields | Weight (1 cup uncooked) | Water Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Long-Grain | 3 cups cooked | 185 grams | 2:1 |
| White Medium-Grain | 2.75 cups cooked | 190 grams | 1.5:1 |
| White Short-Grain | 2.5 cups cooked | 200 grams | 1.25:1 |
| Brown Rice | 2.5 cups cooked | 190 grams | 2.5:1 |
| Basmati Rice | 3.5 cups cooked | 180 grams | 1.5:1 |
| Jasmine Rice | 3 cups cooked | 185 grams | 1.5:1 |
| Wild Rice | 3.5 cups cooked | 160 grams | 3:1 |
| Sushi Rice | 2 cups cooked | 210 grams | 1:1 |
| Arborio Rice | 2 cups cooked | 200 grams | 3:1 (for risotto) |
Beyond volume, weight is also an important consideration. While 1 cup of uncooked rice weighs about 185-210 grams (depending on the variety), when cooked, that same rice will weigh approximately 175-200 grams per cup. The weight increase from uncooked to cooked rice is substantial due to water absorption.
Rice Conversion Formulas and Calculations
To accurately convert between uncooked and cooked rice measurements, specific formulas are used based on the type of rice. Our calculator uses these formulas to provide precise conversions for recipe planning and meal preparation.
From Uncooked to Cooked Rice (Volume):
• White long-grain rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 3
• White medium-grain rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 2.75
• White short-grain rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 2.5
• Brown rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 2.5
• Basmati rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 3.5
• Jasmine rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 3
• Wild rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 3.5
• Sushi rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 2
• Arborio rice: Cooked cups = Uncooked cups × 2
From Cooked to Uncooked Rice (Volume):
• White long-grain rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 3
• White medium-grain rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 2.75
• White short-grain rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 2.5
• Brown rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 2.5
• Basmati rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 3.5
• Jasmine rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 3
• Wild rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 3.5
• Sushi rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 2
• Arborio rice: Uncooked cups = Cooked cups ÷ 2
Weight Conversion (Grams):
The weight conversion is more complex because the density of rice changes when cooked. Our calculator uses the following approach:
- Convert the input to cups if necessary
- Apply the volume conversion ratio for the specific rice type
- Convert to grams using type-specific density values
Example calculation:
For 100 grams of uncooked white long-grain rice:
- 100g uncooked = 100g ÷ 185g per cup = 0.54 cups uncooked
- 0.54 cups uncooked × 3 (expansion ratio) = 1.62 cups cooked
- 1.62 cups cooked × 175g per cooked cup = 283.5g cooked
| Starting Measurement | Target Conversion | Formula Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup uncooked white rice | Cooked cups | 1 cup × 3 = 3 cups cooked |
| 2 cups cooked brown rice | Uncooked cups | 2 cups ÷ 2.5 = 0.8 cups uncooked |
| 200g uncooked basmati rice | Cooked weight | (200g ÷ 180g) × 3.5 × 170g = 661g cooked |
| 300g cooked sushi rice | Uncooked weight | (300g ÷ 200g) × (1 ÷ 2) × 210g = 157.5g uncooked |
Using the Rice Calculator for Meal Planning
This calculator is an invaluable tool for precise meal planning, recipe conversion, and portion control. Understanding how to use it effectively can help you achieve consistent results whether you're cooking for a family dinner or preparing meals for the week.
Step-by-Step Usage Guide:
- Select conversion direction (uncooked to cooked or cooked to uncooked)
- Enter the amount of rice you're starting with
- Choose your measurement unit (cups or grams)
- Select your rice type from the dropdown
- Click 'Calculate' to see comprehensive conversion results
Common Scenarios Where This Calculator Helps:
- Recipe Adaptation: When a recipe calls for 2 cups of cooked rice, but you need to know how much uncooked rice to prepare
- Meal Prep Planning: When calculating how much uncooked rice to cook for several days of prepared meals
- Restaurant or Catering Planning: When scaling recipes for large numbers of people
- Dietary Tracking: When converting between cooked and uncooked measurements for nutritional calculations
- International Recipes: When following recipes from different culinary traditions that may use different measurement standards
For meal planning purposes, it's helpful to know that a typical serving of rice is approximately 1/2 to 3/4 cup of cooked rice per person for a side dish, and about 1 to 1.5 cups per person when rice is the main component of a meal. This calculator takes into account a standard serving size of about 3/4 cup of cooked rice per person.
Rice Storage and Preparation Best Practices
Proper storage and preparation techniques can significantly impact the quality and yield of your cooked rice. Consider these expert tips to enhance your rice cooking experience:
Storage Guidelines for Optimal Freshness:
- Uncooked Rice: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Properly stored, white rice can last for years, while brown rice (which contains natural oils) generally keeps for 3-6 months before it may turn rancid.
- Cooked Rice: Refrigerate promptly in sealed containers for up to 4-6 days. For longer storage, freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 6 months.
Preparation Techniques That Affect Yield:
- Rinsing: Rinsing rice removes excess starch and results in fluffier cooked rice with grains that separate better. However, it can slightly reduce the nutritional content (particularly for enriched white rice). Rinsing is particularly important for varieties like basmati, jasmine, and sushi rice.
- Soaking: Soaking certain rice varieties (like basmati or brown rice) before cooking can reduce cooking time and improve texture. Soaked rice may absorb less water during cooking, potentially affecting the final yield slightly.
- Cooking Method: Different cooking methods can impact the final volume and texture. Rice cooked in a rice cooker may yield slightly more than stovetop methods due to more efficient water absorption and less evaporation. Pressure cookers can also affect yield and texture.
Rice-to-Water Ratio Precision:
The right amount of water is crucial for perfect rice and affects the final yield. Some general guidelines by cooking method:
- Stovetop (absorption method): Use the ratios in our conversion table for each rice type
- Rice cooker: Generally use slightly less water than stovetop (about 10-15% less)
- Pressure cooker: Use approximately 25% less water than conventional stovetop cooking
- Excess water method (pasta-style): Rice is cooked in abundant water and then drained, resulting in a slightly different yield
Remember that altitude, humidity, and the age of the rice can all affect water absorption and final yield, so minor adjustments to these ratios may be necessary based on your specific conditions and preferences.