Lime Substitutes

Out of lime? These are the swaps that actually work, with conversion ratios for any recipe size and notes on how each one changes the result.

Need to convert lime between cups, grams, or ounces first? Open the lime converter.

What to use instead of lime

  • Lemon

    Produce swap

    1 lime = 1/2 to 1 lemon (matched by juice volume)

    Lemon is milder and a touch sweeter than lime. A medium lemon (115 g) yields close to two Persian limes worth of juice, so half a lemon often subs for one lime. Works in dressings, marinades, and cocktails; expect a less floral finish.

    See lemon substitutes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for lime?
There are 1 workable substitutes for lime, depending on what you have on hand and which property of lime matters most for your recipe. The closest swap is usually 1 lime = 1/2 to 1 lemon (matched by juice volume). Each option below lists the conversion ratio for any recipe size, plus notes on how the swap changes the texture, flavour, rise, or browning.
Will substituting lime change how my recipe turns out?
Yes, every swap trades one property for another: fat content, moisture, acidity, or protein. The notes on each substitute describe what changes in texture, flavour, rise, or browning, so you can choose the swap that matters least for your recipe. Open the lime converter
How do I measure lime accurately?
Weighing in grams is more reliable than scooping cups, especially when a substitute has a different density from what the recipe expects. The lime converter on this site converts between whole items, cups, US cups, grams, ounces, and pounds, so you can scale a recipe up or down without losing the ratio. Open the lime converter

Other ingredient and produce substitutes

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