This unpopped popcorn to popped conversion calculator helps you estimate the volume of popped popcorn you’ll get from a given amount of unpopped kernels.
- 1 oz (2 tablespoons) of unpopped kernels = 1 quart of popped corn (approximately 4 cups)
- 2 oz (1/4 cup) of unpopped kernels = 2 quarts of popped corn (approximately 8 cups)
- 4 oz (1/2 cup) of unpopped kernels = 4 quarts of popped corn (approximately 16 cups)
Unpopped Popcorn to Popped Calculator
| Unpopped (Cups) | Popped (Cups) | Servings (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 4 | 1-2 |
| 1/4 | 8 | 2-3 |
| 1/2 | 16 | 4-6 |
| 3/4 | 24 | 6-8 |
| 1 | 32 | 8-10 |
| 1 1/2 | 48 | 12-15 |
| 2 | 64 | 16-20 |
| 2 1/2 | 80 | 20-25 |
| 3 | 96 | 24-30 |
| 3 1/2 | 112 | 28-35 |
| 4 | 128 | 32-40 |
| 4 1/2 | 144 | 36-45 |
| 5 | 160 | 40-50 |
| 5 1/2 | 176 | 44-55 |
| 6 | 192 | 48-60 |
Unpopped to Popped Popcorn Conversion Formula
1 cup of unpopped kernels ≈ 32 cups of popped popcorn
- Volume Expansion: Popcorn kernels expand dramatically when heated, increasing their volume by about 30-40 times.
- Density Change: The popped corn is much less dense than the original kernels, which is why the volume increase is so significant.
If you start with 1/4 cup of unpopped kernels, you can expect approximately 8 cups of popped popcorn (1/4 * 32 = 8).
How Much Popped Popcorn Does 1/2 Cup Make?
The 1/2 cup of unpopped kernels will produce approximately 16 cups of popped popcorn.
This amount is perfect for a small gathering or a family movie night. It’s enough to fill a large serving bowl and satisfy 2-3 popcorn enthusiasts.
How Much Popped Popcorn Does 2 Tablespoons Make?
To answer this, let’s first convert tablespoons to cups:
- 2 tablespoons = 1/8 cup
Now, applying our conversion formula: 1/8 cup of unpopped kernels ≈ 4 cups of popped popcorn
Should You Measure Popcorn Popped or Unpopped?
For consistency and accuracy, it’s best to measure popcorn when it’s unpopped.
Here’s why:
- Consistent Volume: Unpopped kernels have a more consistent volume, making measurements more reliable.
- Easier Portioning: It’s simpler to measure small amounts of dense kernels than large volumes of fluffy popped corn.
- Recipe Standardization: Most popcorn recipes and nutritional information are based on unpopped measurements.
If a recipe calls for 1/4 cup of popcorn, it’s referring to unpopped kernels. Measuring 1/4 cup of popped popcorn would result in far less popcorn than intended.
How Many Kernels Make 8 Cups of Popcorn?
- 32 cups popped = 1 cup unpopped
- 8 cups popped = x cups unpopped
- x = 8 ÷ 32 = 1/4 cup
Therefore, 1/4 cup of unpopped kernels will make approximately 8 cups of popped popcorn.
To estimate the number of kernels, consider that an average kernel weighs about 0.15 grams, and there are roughly 1,600 kernels in a cup. So, 1/4 cup would contain about 400 kernels.
Related Tools:
