Convert Lime from Whole Limes to US cups (chopped)
Lime converter
Use the tool below to convert lime from Whole Limes to US cups (chopped).
A small lime is 45 g whole and a large one is 90 g, so the juice from 'three limes' can vary by twice as much. Picking the right size keeps cocktails, marinades, and ceviche on target.
Out of lime? See lime substitutes →
Recipes often call for lime juice by the cup or spoon rather than by the fruit. The lime juice converter scales a recipe by volume or weight once you know your yield. See our Lime Juice converter.
Enter an amount, pick your units, and set the item size for whole-item counts.
Result
0.29 cups (US)Common Lime conversions
Quick reference for lime at medium size. Switch the size in the converter above for small or large.
| Whole items | US cups (chopped) |
|---|---|
| 1 lime | 0.29 cups (US) |
| 2 limes | 0.58 cups (US) |
| 3 limes | 0.87 cups (US) |
| 4 limes | 1.17 cups (US) |
| 5 limes | 1.46 cups (US) |
| 6 limes | 1.75 cups (US) |
Lime conversion chart
The chart below shows how whole limes (medium size) convert to cups, grams and ounces.
| limes | cups (US) | cups | g | oz | lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 lime | 0.29 cups (US) | 0.28 cups | 67 g | 2.36 oz | 0.15 lb |
| 2 limes | 0.58 cups (US) | 0.56 cups | 134 g | 4.73 oz | 0.3 lb |
| 3 limes | 0.87 cups (US) | 0.84 cups | 201 g | 7.09 oz | 0.44 lb |
| 4 limes | 1.17 cups (US) | 1.12 cups | 268 g | 9.45 oz | 0.59 lb |
| 5 limes | 1.46 cups (US) | 1.4 cups | 335 g | 11.82 oz | 0.74 lb |
Lime varieties and best uses
The conversions above are the same whatever variety you use; the difference is what each is good for. Here is how the common lime varieties compare.
| Variety | Best for |
|---|---|
| Persian (Tahiti) | Everyday lime juice and zest: bright, reliable, widely stocked. |
| Key (Mexican) | Pies and cocktails: smaller and sharper with intense aroma. |
| Kaffir (Makrut) | Thai and Indonesian curries: prized for zest and leaves, very little juice. |
| Bearss | Cocktails and dressings: large Persian-type, slightly sweeter and milder than Tahiti. |
Which should I pick?
For everyday juice and zest, Persian (Tahiti) is the supermarket default: bright acid and reliable yield. No Persian? Bearss is nearly identical and slightly sweeter. Reach for Key (Mexican) when you want a sharper, more aromatic note for pies and cocktails. Kaffir is for zest and leaves only, not juice.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many cups is one medium lime?
- One medium lime (about 67 g) gives roughly 0.28 cups of chopped flesh. A small one (around 45 g) yields about 0.19 cups and a large one (around 90 g) about 0.38 cups, so set the size selector to match the limes you actually have before you trust the figure. Open lime converter
- How many limes make one cup chopped?
- You need about 3.58 medium limes for one cup of chopped lime. With small limes that rises to roughly 5.33, and with large limes it drops to about 2.67. The converter runs both ways, so enter the cups your recipe asks for and read off how many whole limes to chop.
- How much does a medium lime weigh?
- A medium lime weighs about 67 g, small is around 45 g and large around 90 g.
- Which lime variety should I use?
- For everyday juice and zest, Persian (Tahiti) is the supermarket default: bright acid and reliable yield. No Persian? Bearss is nearly identical and slightly sweeter. Reach for Key (Mexican) when you want a sharper, more aromatic note for pies and cocktails. Kaffir is for zest and leaves only, not juice.
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