Cups to grams by ingredient
A US cup holds about 237 mL, but its weight depends on the ingredient: about 120 g of all-purpose flour, 200 g of granulated sugar or 227 g of butter.
Why there is no single cups-to-grams number
A cup measures volume; grams measure weight. Dense ingredients such as honey weigh far more per cup than light ones such as cocoa powder, and how an ingredient is packed or levelled also changes the weight. That is why recipes that give weights are more reliable than those that give cups.
Grams per cup
Typical values for a US cup (236.6 mL), spooned and levelled unless noted. Real weights vary by brand.
| Ingredient | 1 cup | ½ cup | 1 tablespoon |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 120 g | 60 g | 7.5 g |
| Bread flour | 127 g | 63.5 g | 7.94 g |
| Whole wheat flour | 113 g | 56.5 g | 7.06 g |
| Granulated sugar | 200 g | 100 g | 12.5 g |
| Brown sugar (packed) | 213 g | 106.5 g | 13.3 g |
| Powdered sugar | 120 g | 60 g | 7.5 g |
| Butter | 227 g | 113.5 g | 14.2 g |
| Vegetable oil | 218 g | 109 g | 13.6 g |
| Honey | 340 g | 170 g | 21.3 g |
| Milk | 245 g | 122.5 g | 15.3 g |
| Water | 237 g | 118.5 g | 14.8 g |
| Rice, raw (long grain) | 185 g | 92.5 g | 11.6 g |
| Rolled oats | 90 g | 45 g | 5.63 g |
| Cocoa powder | 85 g | 42.5 g | 5.31 g |
| Table salt | 288 g | 144 g | 18 g |
| Chocolate chips | 170 g | 85 g | 10.6 g |
Tips for accurate baking
- Spoon flour into the cup and level it with a knife; scooping straight from the bag packs it and gives noticeably more flour than the table assumes.
- Brown sugar is measured packed; granulated and powdered sugar are not.
- For bread and cakes, a kitchen scale removes the guesswork entirely.
Frequently asked questions
How many grams is 1 cup of flour?
About 120 g of all-purpose flour, spooned and levelled.
How many grams is 1 cup of sugar?
About 200 g of granulated sugar.
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
A US cup is 16 tablespoons.