🥫 Standard Can Size Answer
💡 Most recipes need 1 full can! Key lime pie, fudge, dulce de leche all use 14 oz.
Why This Conversion Matters
🚨 The #1 Holiday Baking Mistake
Over 50,000 searches/month for "14 oz condensed milk" spike in November-December. Why? European recipes use grams, American cans show ounces, and confusing fl oz with weight oz ruins Thanksgiving pies!
The difference: 14 fl oz by volume = 414ml, but 14 oz by weight = 397g. Always use weight for condensed milk!
🥧 Pie Recipes (Most Common)
Key lime pie, lemon bars, magic bars - all need exactly 1 can (397g). Too much = gooey mess, too little = won't set.
🍫 Fudge & Candy
Perfect fudge needs precise ratios. Using cups instead of weight = crystallized sugar disaster. Always weigh!
🍮 Dulce de Leche
Need to know exactly how many cans for a batch? 1 can (397g) = about 1 cup dulce de leche after cooking.
⚠️ CRITICAL: Condensed vs Evaporated Milk
These are NOT interchangeable! Wrong choice = recipe disaster.
✓ Sweetened Condensed Milk
- ✓ 14 oz can = 397g
- ✓ 40-45% sugar added
- ✓ Very thick, pourable
- ✓ Golden/cream color
- ✓ 306g per cup (27% heavier!)
- ✓ For: Pies, fudge, dulce de leche
✗ Evaporated Milk (Different!)
- ✗ 12 oz can = 354g
- ✗ NO sugar added
- ✗ Thinner consistency
- ✗ Off-white color
- ✗ 252g per cup (closer to regular milk)
- ✗ For: Pumpkin pie, mac & cheese
Can you substitute? In emergencies: 1 can evaporated milk + 1 cup sugar = rough substitute for condensed milk. But buy the right one! See our evaporated milk guide.
Complete Condensed Milk Conversion Chart
| Amount | Grams | Ounces (weight) | Milliliters | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon | 19g | 0.67 oz | 15ml | Coffee sweetener |
| 1/4 cup | 76g | 2.7 oz | 59ml | Small batch fudge |
| 1/3 cup | 102g | 3.6 oz | 79ml | Magic bar layer |
| 1/2 cup | 153g | 5.4 oz | 118ml | = 5 oz tube size! |
| 2/3 cup | 204g | 7.2 oz | 158ml | Caramel sauce |
| 3/4 cup | 230g | 8.1 oz | 177ml | Tres leches cake |
| 7 oz (half can) | 199g | 7 oz | 207ml | Small key lime pie |
| 1 can (14 oz) | 397g | 14 oz | 414ml | STANDARD SIZE |
| 1 cup | 306g | 10.8 oz | 237ml | Vietnamese coffee |
| 1.75 cups | 397g | 14 oz | 414ml | = 1 full can |
💡 Pro Tip: A 14 oz can is NOT 14 fl oz of volume - it's 14 oz by weight, which equals about 14.1 fl oz in volume!
Perfect Uses for Each Amount
🥧 Classic Key Lime Pie
Needs exactly:
Mix with 3 egg yolks + 1/2 cup lime juice. Too much milk = won't set. Too little = crumbly.
🍫 Perfect Fudge
Standard batch:
Never substitute cups for weight! Fudge chemistry demands precision. Makes perfect 9x9" pan.
🍮 Dulce de Leche
Start with:
Boil unopened cans for 3 hours (yes, safe!). 1 can (397g) yields ~300g dulce de leche.
🧁 Magic Bars
Layer topping:
Pour entire can over graham crackers, chips, nuts. Holds everything together while baking.
Storage & Shelf Life
📦 Unopened Can
- ✓ Pantry: 1-2 years
- ✓ Cool, dry place
- ✓ Check "best by" date
- ✓ Doesn't need refrigeration
🥫 Opened Can
- ⚠️ Transfer to glass/plastic
- ⚠️ Refrigerate immediately
- ⚠️ Use within 2 weeks
- ⚠️ Never store in opened can
❄️ Can You Freeze?
- ✓ Yes, up to 3 months
- ✓ Transfer to freezer container
- ✓ Thaw in fridge overnight
- ⚠️ May separate slightly - stir well
Money-Saving Tip: Buy in bulk when on sale! Unopened cans last years. Stock up for holiday baking season.
Your Condensed Milk Questions
How many grams is a 14 oz can of condensed milk?
A standard 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk contains 397 grams. This equals 1.75 cups or 414 milliliters. The weight (14 oz) refers to the net weight of the product, not fluid ounces. Most recipes calling for "one can" mean this size.
Can I use half a can? How do I measure it?
Yes! Half a can = 199g or 7 oz (about 0.875 cups or 207ml). Best method: weigh it on a kitchen scale. Second best: fill a 1-cup measuring cup to about 7/8 full. For precise halving, use the whole can and save half in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
What's the difference between 14 oz and 14 fl oz?
14 oz (weight) = 397g of condensed milk. 14 fl oz (volume) would be measured in a liquid measuring cup. Condensed milk cans show weight (oz), not fluid ounces. Due to its high density, 14 oz of condensed milk actually equals about 14.1 fl oz in volume. Always use weight for accuracy!
How many cups is 397g condensed milk?
397g of condensed milk = 1.75 cups (or 1 and 3/4 cups). Because condensed milk is very dense (306g per cup), you get less volume than regular milk. For comparison: 397g regular milk = 1.65 cups.
Can I substitute evaporated milk for condensed milk?
Not directly! Condensed milk has 40-45% added sugar. In emergencies: 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk + 1 cup sugar, heat until sugar dissolves. But texture and flavor won't be identical. For key lime pie or fudge, always buy the right product! See our evaporated milk guide for more details.
Why is my recipe calling for 1.25 cans?
Some recipes (especially large batch fudge or commercial recipes) need 1.25 cans = 496g (about 2.2 cups). Solution: Use 1 full can (397g) + 1/4 of another can (99g). Or buy two cans and save the leftover. You can also calculate: 1.25 × 397g = 496g, then weigh it on a scale.
🥛 Complete Dairy Converter Family
Each dairy product has unique conversion ratios. Choose the right one for your recipe:
ℹ️ Tip: Condensed milk is sweetened and thick, perfect for desserts. Never substitute it for evaporated milk!