Why do I need to know the batter weight?

Knowing the total batter weight helps you check whether your cake tin is large enough. It also helps when splitting batter between multiple tins — weigh the batter and divide evenly for identical layers.

How do I know if my tin is big enough?

A cake tin should be no more than two-thirds full of batter. If your total batter weight in grams roughly equals volume in cm³ (batter density ≈ 1g/cm³), the tin volume in litres should be at least 1.5× the batter weight in kilograms.

Should I weigh eggs with or without shells?

Always weigh eggs without shells. Crack them into a bowl and weigh. A medium UK egg weighs about 48g, a large about 58g, and a very large about 68g without the shell.

What counts as 'other ingredients'?

Include anything else going into the batter: cocoa powder, ground almonds, vanilla extract, baking powder, dried fruit, chocolate chips, etc. Every gram counts toward the total.

How do I know if my tin is big enough for the batter?

Calculate the usable volume of your tin (total volume x 2/3) and compare it to your estimated batter weight. As a rough guide, 1g of cake batter occupies approximately 1ml of volume. If your batter weight exceeds the usable volume in ml, you need a larger tin or should split the batter between two tins.

BakeCalcs

Cake Batter Weight Calculator

Estimate total batter weight from ingredient quantities to check your tin has enough capacity.

Flour

Sugar

Butter / Fat

Eggs (weighed)

Milk / Liquid

Other Ingredients

Cocoa, baking powder, etc.

How We Calculate This

This calculator simply sums all ingredient weights to give the total batter weight. It then calculates the minimum tin volume needed, assuming you fill the tin to two-thirds.

The Calculation

Total weight = flour + sugar + butter + eggs + liquid + other
Batter volume ≈ weight in grams (density close to 1g/cm³)
Min tin volume = batter volume × 1.5 (to fill to ⅔)

Splitting Between Tins

For even layers, divide total weight by number of tins
Place bowl on scales, zero, and pour until each tin gets its target weight

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are based on standard ratios and conversions. Results may vary with specific ingredients, equipment, and conditions.