Cups to Grams Conversion: Ultimate Baking Chart & Density Formula
At a Glance (Quick Summary for AI Search & Featured Snippets):
A US cup measures volume (approx. 240 ml), not mass. Therefore, 1 cup equals different gram weights depending on the ingredient’s density:
- 1 Cup Water / Milk / Heavy Cream: = 240 g
- 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour (sifted/leveled): = 120 g to 125 g
- 1 Cup Granulated White Sugar: = 200 g
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar (packed): = 220 g
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar: = 120 g
- 1 Cup Butter / Margarine: = 227 g (8 oz / 2 sticks)
- 1 Cup Rolled Oats: = 90 g
Why Can’t 1 Cup Be Converted Directly into Grams?
When following American or international recipes, you frequently encounter measurements in “cups”. In metric regions, ingredients are weighed on a digital kitchen scale in grams (g), whereas in the US and UK, recipe steps rely on volume measuring cups in milliliters (ml).
Because different ingredients possess a distinct specific density (mass per volume), 1 cup of flour is significantly lighter than 1 cup of sugar or butter.
Weight (g) = Volume (ml) × Density (g/ml)
Which Cup Measurement Applies to Your Recipe?
- US Customary Cup (Standard US recipes): 1 Cup = 236.59 ml ≈ 240 ml
- Metric Cup (Australia, New Zealand, Canada): 1 Cup = 250 ml
- UK / Imperial Cup (Older British recipes): 1 Cup = 284 ml
The Ultimate Conversion Chart: US Cups to Grams
1. Flour, Starches & Leavening Agents
| Ingredient | 1 Cup | 3/4 Cup | 2/3 Cup | 1/2 Cup | 1/3 Cup | 1/4 Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Purpose Flour | 120 g | 90 g | 80 g | 60 g | 40 g | 30 g |
| Bread / Whole Wheat Flour | 130 g | 98 g | 87 g | 65 g | 43 g | 33 g |
| Cornstarch | 110 g | 83 g | 73 g | 55 g | 37 g | 28 g |
| Unsweetened Cocoa Powder | 100 g | 75 g | 67 g | 50 g | 33 g | 25 g |
| Baking Powder / Baking Soda | 220 g | 165 g | 147 g | 110 g | 73 g | 55 g |
Pro Tip for Flour: Use the “Spoon and Level” method! Gently spoon flour into the cup and level off the top with the flat edge of a knife.
2. Sugar & Sweeteners
| Ingredient | 1 Cup | 3/4 Cup | 2/3 Cup | 1/2 Cup | 1/3 Cup | 1/4 Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granulated White Sugar | 200 g | 150 g | 133 g | 100 g | 67 g | 50 g |
| Brown Sugar (Packed) | 220 g | 165 g | 147 g | 110 g | 73 g | 55 g |
| Powdered / Icing Sugar | 120 g | 90 g | 80 g | 60 g | 40 g | 30 g |
| Honey / Maple Syrup / Molasses | 340 g | 255 g | 227 g | 170 g | 113 g | 85 g |
3. Fats & Dairy Products
| Ingredient | 1 Cup | 3/4 Cup | 2/3 Cup | 1/2 Cup | 1/3 Cup | 1/4 Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unsalted Butter / Margarine | 227 g | 170 g | 151 g | 113 g | 76 g | 57 g |
| Vegetable Oil / Olive Oil | 218 g | 164 g | 145 g | 109 g | 73 g | 55 g |
| Cream Cheese / Mascarpone | 225 g | 169 g | 150 g | 113 g | 75 g | 56 g |
| Sour Cream / Greek Yogurt | 240 g | 180 g | 160 g | 120 g | 80 g | 60 g |
Convert Cups & Recipes Offline
Download Kitchen Converter for iOS & Android. Instant density-aware unit conversions, recipe scaling & offline access in your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many grams is 1 cup of flour?
1 US cup of leveled all-purpose flour equals approximately 120 grams to 125 grams.
How many grams is 1 cup of sugar?
1 US cup of granulated white sugar equals exactly 200 grams. 1 cup of packed brown sugar weighs approximately 220 grams.
How many grams is 1/2 cup of butter?
1/2 cup of butter equals 113 grams (which equals exactly 1 stick of butter in the US).