10 everyday measurement conversions you need to know

1 gallon = 160 U.S. fluid ounces

Buying in bulk is a great way to save money, but most projects don't require an entire gallon's worth of supplies. For example, if you want to try your hand at the resin craft trend, buying the supplies in gallon form is the cheapest option.

Most instructions are in ounces, so knowing 160 U.S. fluid ounces is 1 gallon will help you calculate how many projects you can make and the right amount of product to order.

2 tablespoons egg white liquid = the white of 1 large egg

If you only need the whites, it makes sense to skip the classic dozen-egg pack for a convenient bottle of egg white liquid — it's notoriously hard to use up those yolks. The only problem is, most recipes still specify the number of eggs instead of the volume of egg whites needed.

You'll need approximately 2 tablespoons of egg white liquid to replace the whites from one large egg. Remember, egg sizes vary anyway, so don't stress if you don't have an exact measurement.

A pinch = approx 1/16th teaspoon

Even the most experienced home cooks may scratch their heads when a recipe doesn't give exact measurements. It's frustrating when you want to create a favorite dish precisely as you've had it before, but the recipe lists seemingly random measurements like a "pinch" of salt.

A pinch usually means you can add to your taste, but if you want a more exact measurement, most chefs agree a pinch is somewhere between 1/16th to 1/8th of a teaspoon.

3 feet = 1 yard

Reupholstering older furniture is a fun and rewarding way to refresh hand-me-down pieces. However, determining the amount of fabric you need can be hard when your tape measure is in inches, but the material is sold by the yard. Luckily, this conversion is quick and easy: 1 yard equals 3 feet.

1 shot = 1.5 U.S. fluid ounces

Want to plan a swanky cocktail night with friends but don't know how much whiskey or gin to have on hand? If your favorite cocktail recipe uses shots as its primary measurement form, you can estimate the ounces needed per drink as 1.5 U.S. fluid ounces to 1 shot.

This conversion can also come in handy when making a bulk batch your guests can serve themselves from, so you're not stuck pouring drinks all night.

1 cup of flour = approx 150 grams of flour

So, you want to try that Mary Berry recipe you saw on "The Great British Baking Show," but all the measurements are in grams.

If you don't have a kitchen scale, remember that 150 grams of flour is equivalent to 1 cup; this can save you some last-minute Googling. Keep in mind that this conversion only works for flour, as other ingredients have different weights by volume.

Cubic feet = square feet x depth

If you have garden beds, you're eventually going to have to buy mulch. The problem is, mulch is usually sold and measured by cubic feet instead of square feet, and the latter is the standard way you'd measure a garden plot.

This one takes a bit of math, but it's worth it to avoid over- or under-buying. Cubic feet equals square feet times the depth you want your product to cover in feet. For example, if you want to cover 20 square feet with mulch 6 inches deep, multiply 20 by 0.5 feet: 10 cubic feet.

A cord of wood = 128 cubic feet of wood

Whether you have a stylish wood-burning fireplace or just want to host bonfires on the weekend, you're going to need firewood to burn. The most efficient way to get a season's worth of firewood is to order it by the cord, but what is a cord?

A cord of wood is 128 cubic feet of wood or a stacked pile of wood that measures 4 feet high, 8 feet wide, and 4 feet deep. Knowing this before your order will ensure you have a proper place to stack your woodpile.

2 x 4 board = 1.5 x 3.5 board

Did you know that a 2x4 isn't actually 2 inches by 4 inches? A 2x4 you find in a home improvement store will measure approx 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches; but don't worry, they're not trying to scam you.

The 2x4 measurement is what the board measures in its raw state before it is dried and prepped for sale. This is standard across the industry, but it's an important conversion to know when planning your DIY woodworking projects.

1 Karat = approximately 6.5 mm

If you're thinking of investing in some quality jewelry pieces, you might want to do a little internet research on prices and sizes. It can be hard to picture the approximate size of a stone when all the measurements are in Karats.

For most stones that have symmetrical cuts, such as round or square, 1 Karat equals approximately 6.5 mm in height and width.