Cups to Grams Converter
Instantly convert between cups and grams for 25+ common baking and cooking ingredients
Conversion Result
Ingredient Density Reference Table
| Ingredient | Grams per Cup |
|---|
Understanding Cups to Grams Conversion
Converting cups to grams is one of the most important skills in precise baking and cooking. Unlike volume measurements such as cups, which can vary significantly depending on how an ingredient is packed, scooped, or sifted, weight measurements in grams provide consistent and reproducible results every time. A cup of flour can weigh anywhere from 120 to 160 grams depending on whether it was spooned, scooped, or sifted, which can mean the difference between a light, tender cake and a dense, dry one. Professional bakers and pastry chefs worldwide rely on weight-based measurements for this reason.
The reason different ingredients have different cup-to-gram conversions comes down to density. Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance. For example, one cup of granulated sugar weighs approximately 200 grams because sugar crystals pack tightly together, while one cup of all-purpose flour weighs only about 120 grams because flour particles are much lighter and trap more air between them. Liquid ingredients like water and milk have densities close to 1 gram per milliliter, making their conversions more straightforward, but fats like butter and oils have different densities altogether.
When converting recipes between cups and grams, it is critical to use the correct density for each specific ingredient rather than a single generic conversion factor. This converter uses density values sourced from professional baking references, including King Arthur Baking's ingredient weight chart, which is widely regarded as the gold standard in the baking community. These values assume standard measuring techniques: flour is spooned into the cup and leveled off (not scooped or packed), brown sugar is firmly packed, and liquids are measured at the meniscus line in a liquid measuring cup.
Investing in a digital kitchen scale is one of the best upgrades any home baker can make. Scales that measure in 1-gram increments are inexpensive and dramatically improve baking consistency. When using this converter, keep in mind that slight variations are normal due to differences in humidity, grain size, brand, and measuring technique. For critical recipes such as bread, macarons, or pastry, weighing ingredients directly on a scale is always preferable to any volume-to-weight conversion.
How to Use This Converter
- Select the ingredient you want to convert from the dropdown menu. The list includes 25+ common baking and cooking ingredients organized by category.
- Enter the amount in cups to see the equivalent in grams, or type grams to see the equivalent in cups. The conversion is bidirectional and updates instantly.
- Review your conversion result, which includes grams, ounces, and tablespoon equivalents for maximum flexibility in the kitchen.
- Check the quick reference table below the result for common fractional cup amounts (1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 3/4, 1 cup) for your selected ingredient.
- Scroll down to the full ingredient density reference table to compare multiple ingredients at a glance and plan your recipe conversions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 1 cup of flour weigh differently than 1 cup of sugar?
Different ingredients have different densities, which means they have different masses for the same volume. Flour particles are light and trap air between them, so a cup of all-purpose flour weighs about 120 grams. Sugar crystals are denser and pack more tightly, making a cup of granulated sugar weigh about 200 grams. This is precisely why weight-based measurements are more accurate than volume measurements in baking: a cup is a measure of volume, not weight.
How accurate is this cups to grams converter?
This converter uses density values from professional baking references, including King Arthur Baking's ingredient weight chart. The values are accurate to within a few grams for standard measuring techniques. However, small variations can occur depending on factors like humidity, ingredient brand, how the ingredient was stored, and how it was measured into the cup. For recipes where precision is critical, we recommend using a kitchen scale.
Should I scoop or spoon flour into my measuring cup?
The standard method used by most recipe developers and our converter is the 'spoon and level' technique: use a spoon to fluff up the flour, then spoon it into the measuring cup without packing it, and level off the top with a straight edge. Scooping directly from the bag compresses the flour and can add 20-30 extra grams per cup, which leads to dry, heavy baked goods. This converter assumes the spoon-and-level method at approximately 120 grams per cup for all-purpose flour.
What is the difference between a US cup and a metric cup?
A US customary cup equals 236.588 milliliters, while a metric cup (used in Australia and some other countries) equals 250 milliliters. This converter uses US cups as the standard. If your recipe uses metric cups, you may need to adjust slightly: multiply the US cup value by 1.057 to get metric cups, or divide metric cups by 1.057 to get US cups. The difference is about 5.7%, which can matter in precise baking.
How do I convert tablespoons or teaspoons to grams?
There are 16 tablespoons in 1 US cup. To convert tablespoons to grams, divide the grams-per-cup value by 16 to get grams per tablespoon. For teaspoons, divide by 48 (since there are 48 teaspoons in a cup). For example, 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour weighs about 7.5 grams (120 / 16), and 1 teaspoon weighs about 2.5 grams (120 / 48). This converter displays tablespoon equivalents in the results.
Why do professional bakers use grams instead of cups?
Professional bakers use grams because weight measurements are precise, consistent, and reproducible. A cup of flour can vary by 30% or more depending on the measuring technique, but 120 grams of flour is always 120 grams regardless of who measures it or how. Weight measurements also make it easy to scale recipes up or down, require fewer measuring tools, and reduce cleanup since you can weigh everything into the same bowl. The metric system is used in professional kitchens worldwide for these reasons.
Can I use this converter for liquid ingredients like milk and water?
Yes, this converter includes common liquid ingredients such as water, whole milk, heavy cream, honey, maple syrup, and cooking oils. While liquids are more consistent than dry ingredients when measured by volume, they still have different densities. For example, one cup of water weighs 237 grams, one cup of honey weighs 340 grams, and one cup of vegetable oil weighs 218 grams. Using the correct density for each liquid ensures your recipe comes out as intended.
