Dry Pasta (Various Shapes): Weight (oz/g) to Cooked Volume (Cups) Conversion

Dry Pasta (Various Shapes): Weight to Cooked Volume Conversion

Estimate the cooked volume in US cups from a given weight (ounces or grams) of dry pasta. Yields vary by pasta shape. Standard serving sizes are often 2 ounces (57g) dry.

Dry Pasta Weight	Pasta Shape Examples	Cooked Volume (US Cups) (approx.)
2 oz (57 g)	Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Linguine	~1 cup
2 oz (57 g)	Penne, Rotini, Ziti, Medium Shells	~1 to 1 1/4 cups
2 oz (57 g)	Macaroni (Elbows), Small Shells	~1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups
2 oz (57 g)	Egg Noodles (medium)	~1 to 1 1/4 cups

4 oz (113 g)	Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Linguine	~2 cups
4 oz (113 g)	Penne, Rotini, Ziti, Medium Shells	~2 to 2 1/2 cups
4 oz (113 g)	Macaroni (Elbows), Small Shells	~2 1/2 to 3 cups

8 oz (227 g) (1/2 lb)	Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Linguine	~4 cups
8 oz (227 g) (1/2 lb)	Penne, Rotini, Ziti, Medium Shells	~4 to 5 cups
8 oz (227 g) (1/2 lb)	Macaroni (Elbows), Small Shells	~5 to 6 cups

1 lb (16 oz / 454 g)	Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Linguine	~8 cups
1 lb (16 oz / 454 g)	Penne, Rotini, Ziti, Medium Shells	~8 to 10 cups
1 lb (16 oz / 454 g)	Macaroni (Elbows), Small Shells	~10 to 12 cups

Dry Pasta Weight

Pasta Shape Examples

Cooked Volume (US Cups) (approx.)

2 oz (57 g)

Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Linguine

~1 cup

2 oz (57 g)

Penne, Rotini, Ziti, Medium Shells

~1 to 1 1/4 cups

2 oz (57 g)

Macaroni (Elbows), Small Shells

~1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups

2 oz (57 g)

Egg Noodles (medium)

~1 to 1 1/4 cups

4 oz (113 g)

Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Linguine

~2 cups

4 oz (113 g)

Penne, Rotini, Ziti, Medium Shells

~2 to 2 1/2 cups

4 oz (113 g)

Macaroni (Elbows), Small Shells

~2 1/2 to 3 cups

8 oz (227 g) (1/2 lb)

Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Linguine

~4 cups

8 oz (227 g) (1/2 lb)

Penne, Rotini, Ziti, Medium Shells

~4 to 5 cups

8 oz (227 g) (1/2 lb)

Macaroni (Elbows), Small Shells

~5 to 6 cups

1 lb (16 oz / 454 g)

Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Linguine

~8 cups

1 lb (16 oz / 454 g)

Penne, Rotini, Ziti, Medium Shells

~8 to 10 cups

1 lb (16 oz / 454 g)

Macaroni (Elbows), Small Shells

~10 to 12 cups

Important Considerations for Pasta:

Pasta typically **doubles or slightly more than doubles in volume** when cooked. The exact yield depends on the pasta shape and how much water it absorbs.
Smaller shapes like macaroni or small shells tend to yield a slightly larger cooked volume per ounce of dry pasta compared to long strands like spaghetti because they pack less efficiently when dry.
A common serving size for pasta is 2 ounces (57 grams) of dry pasta per person, but this can vary based on appetite and the dish.
Always cook pasta in plenty of salted boiling water.
These are estimates. Cooked volume can also depend on how "al dente" or soft the pasta is cooked.
Visit kitchencalculator.app for more cooking conversions.