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Convert between uncooked and cooked rice amounts for any variety. Whether you need to know how much dry rice to cook for dinner or how much uncooked rice a recipe requires, this rice conversion calculator handles 9 popular rice types with accurate expansion ratios.
1 cup dry = ~3 cups cooked
White long grain, basmati, jasmine
1/4 cup dry = 1 serving
Yields about 3/4 cup cooked rice
Expansion varies by type!
From 2.5x (brown) to 3.5x (wild)
This reference table shows how much cooked rice you get from common dry rice measurements. Values are based on standard expansion ratios and rounded to practical kitchen amounts. Use this chart for quick meal planning without needing a calculator.
| Uncooked (cups) | White / Basmati / Jasmine | Brown Rice | Wild Rice | Sushi / Arborio | Approx. Servings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 | 3/4 cup | 5/8 cup | 7/8 cup | 5/8 cup | 1 |
| 1/3 | 1 cup | 5/6 cup | 1 1/6 cups | 5/6 cup | 1-2 |
| 1/2 | 1 1/2 cups | 1 1/4 cups | 1 3/4 cups | 1 1/4 cups | 2 |
| 3/4 | 2 1/4 cups | 1 7/8 cups | 2 5/8 cups | 1 7/8 cups | 3 |
| 1 | 3 cups | 2 1/2 cups | 3 1/2 cups | 2 1/2 cups | 4 |
| 1 1/2 | 4 1/2 cups | 3 3/4 cups | 5 1/4 cups | 3 3/4 cups | 6 |
| 2 | 6 cups | 5 cups | 7 cups | 5 cups | 8 |
| 3 | 9 cups | 7 1/2 cups | 10 1/2 cups | 7 1/2 cups | 12 |
| 4 | 12 cups | 10 cups | 14 cups | 10 cups | 16 |
| 5 | 15 cups | 12 1/2 cups | 17 1/2 cups | 12 1/2 cups | 20 |
The rice expansion ratio describes how much a given amount of uncooked rice increases in volume after cooking. When dry rice is cooked in water, the starch granules inside each grain absorb moisture and swell, causing the grain to grow in both size and weight. This process, called starch gelatinization, is what transforms hard, translucent raw grains into soft, fluffy cooked rice.
Different rice varieties have different expansion ratios based on their starch composition, grain shape, and bran content. Long grain white rice varieties like basmati and jasmine typically expand about 3 times their dry volume. Short grain and medium grain varieties like sushi rice and arborio contain more amylopectin starch, which makes them stickier but limits their expansion to about 2.5 times. Wild rice, which is technically an aquatic grass seed rather than true rice, has the highest expansion at roughly 3.5 times because its elongated grains split open widely during cooking.
Brown rice expands less than white rice because the bran layer that surrounds each grain acts as a partial barrier to water absorption. This outer layer gives brown rice its characteristic chewy texture and nutty flavor but means you get about 2.5 cups of cooked rice from 1 cup of dry brown rice, compared to 3 cups for the equivalent white rice. Understanding these expansion ratios is the key to cooking the right amount of rice for any meal, whether you are preparing a side dish for two or feeding a large gathering.
Expansion ratios: White/Basmati/Jasmine = 3.0x, Brown/Sushi/Arborio = 2.5x, Wild = 3.5x, Parboiled = 3.0x.
This is enough to serve 8 people as a side dish (3/4 cup per person).
Brown rice has a lower expansion ratio than white, so you need more dry rice to get the same cooked volume.
The weight increase is primarily from water absorbed during cooking. Cooked rice is roughly 60-70% water by weight.
For most white rice varieties, simply multiply dry rice by 3 to get the cooked amount. For brown rice and sushi rice, multiply by 2.5 (or think of it as the dry amount times 2 plus half again). For wild rice, multiply by 3.5 (or 3 plus half the original amount). One easy rule: 1/4 cup dry rice per person for a side dish, 1/2 cup per person for a main course.
| People | Uncooked (cups) | Uncooked (grams) | Cooked White (cups) | Water Needed (cups) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1/4 | 46g | 3/4 | 1/2 |
| 2 | 1/2 | 93g | 1 1/2 | 1 |
| 4 | 1 | 185g | 3 | 2 |
| 6 | 1 1/2 | 278g | 4 1/2 | 3 |
| 8 | 2 | 370g | 6 | 4 |
| 10 | 2 1/2 | 463g | 7 1/2 | 5 |
| 12 | 3 | 555g | 9 | 6 |
| 20 | 5 | 925g | 15 | 10 |
| Uncooked (g) | White Rice (g) | Brown Rice (g) | Wild Rice (g) | Sushi Rice (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 150 | 125 | 175 | 125 |
| 75 | 225 | 188 | 263 | 188 |
| 100 | 300 | 250 | 350 | 250 |
| 150 | 450 | 375 | 525 | 375 |
| 200 | 600 | 500 | 700 | 500 |
| 250 | 750 | 625 | 875 | 625 |
| 500 | 1500 | 1250 | 1750 | 1250 |
| Rice Type | Expansion Ratio | 1 Cup Dry Yields | Cooking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White long grain | 3.0x | 3 cups | 15-20 min | Everyday meals, pilafs |
| Basmati | 3.0x | 3 cups | 15-20 min | Indian, Middle Eastern dishes |
| Jasmine | 3.0x | 3 cups | 15-18 min | Thai, Southeast Asian cuisine |
| Brown rice | 2.5x | 2.5 cups | 40-50 min | Health-conscious meals |
| Wild rice | 3.5x | 3.5 cups | 45-55 min | Salads, soups, stuffings |
| Sushi rice | 2.5x | 2.5 cups | 15-20 min | Sushi, Japanese dishes |
| Arborio | 2.5x | 2.5 cups | 18-25 min | Risotto, rice pudding |
| Sticky rice | 2.5x | 2.5 cups | 20-25 min | Asian desserts, sticky dishes |
| Parboiled | 3.0x | 3 cups | 20-25 min | Fried rice, casseroles |
Rice is one of the most commonly wasted foods because people misjudge how much it expands. Knowing that 1 cup of dry rice triples in volume prevents you from cooking three times more than you need or running short at dinner.
When cooking for groups, knowing how much uncooked rice to start with for a specific number of servings saves time and money. Planning 1/4 cup dry per person as a side dish means you can confidently shop for the exact amount needed.
Nutrition labels on rice packages list calories and macros for dry rice, but you eat cooked rice. Converting accurately between uncooked and cooked amounts lets you log the correct nutritional values in your food diary or calorie tracking app.
Recipes may call for cooked rice as an ingredient, but you need to know how much to start with dry. Similarly, when substituting one rice type for another, different expansion ratios mean you must adjust the uncooked quantity to end up with the same cooked amount.
The most common mistake is assuming all rice triples in volume. Brown rice only expands 2.5x, so using a 3x ratio would leave you 20% short. Wild rice at 3.5x would give you significantly more than expected. Always match the ratio to your specific variety.
Always measure your uncooked rice before rinsing it. Wet rice clings together and takes up slightly different volume in a measuring cup. Measure first, then rinse and drain before cooking for the most accurate results.
The 3x expansion ratio is based on volume (cups), not weight. By weight, the ratio is also roughly 3x since the added mass is water, but the exact number can differ. If your recipe specifies grams, convert using the weight-based ratio for best accuracy.
Getting the right amount of cooked rice also depends on using the proper water ratio. Too much water makes rice mushy, while too little leaves it undercooked. Generally use 1.5 to 2 cups of water per 1 cup of white rice, and 2.5 cups per 1 cup of brown rice.
Lifting the lid during cooking releases steam and can result in undercooked, less expanded rice. The expansion ratios in this calculator assume properly cooked rice with the lid on for the full cooking time. If rice turns out less fluffy, the effective expansion ratio may be lower.
When cooking for a crowd, add an extra 10-15% to your calculated amount. It is always better to have a small amount of leftover rice, which can be refrigerated and used for fried rice the next day, than to run out during the meal.
One cup of uncooked white long grain rice yields approximately 3 cups of cooked rice. The exact amount depends on the rice variety: basmati and jasmine also produce about 3 cups, while brown rice and sushi rice yield roughly 2.5 cups. Wild rice expands the most at about 3.5 cups per 1 cup dry.
A standard serving is 1/4 cup (about 45-50 grams) of uncooked rice per person as a side dish, which yields roughly 3/4 cup cooked. For a main dish or if rice is the primary carbohydrate, plan 1/3 to 1/2 cup of uncooked rice per person, yielding 1 to 1.5 cups cooked.
Rice expands because the starch granules inside each grain absorb water during cooking. As the grains heat up, the starch molecules swell and gelatinize, causing the grain to increase in both size and weight. White rice roughly triples in volume, while the bran layer on brown rice slightly limits absorption, resulting in about 2.5 times expansion.
Yes. Brown rice has an expansion ratio of approximately 2.5x compared to 3.0x for most white rice varieties. The intact bran layer on brown rice restricts water absorption somewhat, so 1 cup of dry brown rice yields about 2.5 cups cooked. Brown rice also requires more water and a longer cooking time than white rice.
Divide the cooked amount by the expansion ratio for your rice type. For example, if you need 6 cups of cooked white long grain rice, divide 6 by 3.0 to get 2 cups of uncooked rice. For brown rice, divide by 2.5. Our calculator above handles this reverse conversion automatically when you swap direction.
Wild rice has the highest expansion ratio among common rice types at approximately 3.5x. One cup of dry wild rice produces about 3.5 cups of cooked wild rice. Wild rice absorbs more water than other varieties because of its long, slender shape and the way its hull splits open during cooking.
For white long grain rice with a 3.0x expansion ratio, approximately 33 grams of uncooked rice yields 100 grams of cooked rice. For brown rice at 2.5x, you need about 40 grams uncooked. The exact conversion depends on how much water the rice absorbs, which varies by type and cooking method.
Rinsing rice removes excess surface starch but does not significantly change the final cooked volume. You may notice slightly fluffier, less sticky cooked rice after rinsing, which can make it appear to have a slightly larger volume. The difference is minimal, typically less than 5%, and does not meaningfully affect the expansion ratio.
For 10 people as a side dish, cook 2.5 cups (about 460 grams) of uncooked white rice, which yields roughly 7.5 cups cooked. For a main dish, plan 3.5 to 5 cups uncooked. Always round up slightly to account for second helpings and to ensure everyone is well served.
No. The expansion ratio is typically expressed by volume (cups). By weight, the ratio is different because cooked rice contains absorbed water. One cup of dry white rice weighs about 185 grams and produces about 555 grams cooked (a 3x weight increase). The volume ratio and weight ratio are similar but not identical due to density changes during cooking.
This calculator is provided for informational purposes only. Rice expansion ratios are approximate and may vary by brand, batch, altitude, cooking method, and water ratio. For critical meal planning, consider cooking a test batch first. UnitTables is not responsible for cooking outcomes.