Cups to Grams Converter
Convert cups to grams for any baking or cooking ingredient instantly. This cups to grams calculator accounts for ingredient density — because 1 cup of flour weighs 120 grams while 1 cup of sugar weighs 200 grams. Professional bakers and pastry chefs use weight measurements in grams for precision, and this tool bridges the gap between US cup measurements and the metric system used worldwide.
How to Convert Cups to Grams
Converting cups to grams requires knowing the density of the specific ingredient. Unlike converting between two volume units (cups to milliliters) or two weight units (grams to ounces), the cups-to-grams conversion is a volume-to-weight conversion that depends entirely on what substance you are measuring.
- Identify the ingredient you want to convert
- Find the grams-per-cup value for that ingredient (see table below)
- Multiply the number of cups by the grams-per-cup value
- The result is the weight in grams
Formula:
weight (grams) = volume (cups) × density (grams per cup)
Example: 2 cups of all-purpose flour = 2 × 120 = 240 grams
Why Cups to Grams Conversion Matters in Baking
The difference between measuring by volume (cups) versus weight (grams) can make or break a recipe. A cup of flour can vary by 20-30 grams depending on whether you scoop it, spoon it, or sift it first. This inconsistency is why the American culinary tradition of measuring by cups produces less reliable results than the European and professional approach of weighing ingredients on a kitchen scale.
The King Arthur Baking Company, America's Test Kitchen, and most professional pastry schools recommend weighing flour and other dry ingredients. When following recipes from international cookbooks, food blogs, or the Great British Bake Off, you will encounter gram measurements that need converting to cups — or vice versa.
Cups to Grams vs Cups to Milliliters
Do not confuse cups-to-grams with cups-to-milliliters. Cups to milliliters is a simple volume-to-volume conversion (1 US cup = 236.59 mL, always). Cups to grams is a volume-to-weight conversion that changes based on the ingredient. One cup of water weighs 236.59 grams, but one cup of flour weighs only 120 grams because flour is less dense than water.
Complete Cups to Grams Conversion Table
| Ingredient | 1 Cup | ½ Cup | ⅓ Cup | ¼ Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Purpose Flour | 120 g | 60 g | 40 g | 30 g |
| Bread Flour | 127 g | 64 g | 42 g | 32 g |
| Cake Flour | 114 g | 57 g | 38 g | 29 g |
| Whole Wheat Flour | 128 g | 64 g | 43 g | 32 g |
| Almond Flour | 96 g | 48 g | 32 g | 24 g |
| Coconut Flour | 112 g | 56 g | 37 g | 28 g |
| Granulated Sugar | 200 g | 100 g | 67 g | 50 g |
| Brown Sugar (packed) | 220 g | 110 g | 73 g | 55 g |
| Powdered Sugar | 120 g | 60 g | 40 g | 30 g |
| Butter | 227 g | 114 g | 76 g | 57 g |
| Milk (whole) | 244 g | 122 g | 81 g | 61 g |
| Heavy Cream | 238 g | 119 g | 79 g | 60 g |
| Cream Cheese | 232 g | 116 g | 77 g | 58 g |
| Yogurt (plain) | 245 g | 123 g | 82 g | 61 g |
| Sour Cream | 230 g | 115 g | 77 g | 58 g |
Example: Converting a Cookie Recipe
A chocolate chip cookie recipe calls for 2¼ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of butter, ¾ cup of granulated sugar, and ¾ cup of brown sugar. Converting to grams: flour = 2.25 × 120 = 270g, butter = 1 × 227 = 227g, granulated sugar = 0.75 × 200 = 150g, brown sugar = 0.75 × 220 = 165g. These precise gram measurements ensure consistent cookies every time you bake.
US Cups vs Metric Cups vs Imperial Cups
This converter uses the US customary cup (236.59 mL). Be aware that the metric cup used in Australia and New Zealand equals 250 mL, and the Imperial cup (used historically in the UK) equals 284 mL. If your recipe uses metric cups, the gram values will be slightly higher. Most modern recipes specify which cup measurement system they use.
Tips for Accurate Cup Measurements
- Spoon and level method: Spoon flour into the measuring cup, then level with a knife — this gives approximately 120g per cup
- Scoop method: Scooping directly from the bag compacts flour to 140-150g per cup — avoid this
- Sifted flour: Sifted flour is lighter, approximately 100-110g per cup
- Brown sugar: Always pack brown sugar firmly into the cup for accurate measurement
- Liquid ingredients: Use a liquid measuring cup (glass with pour spout) placed on a flat surface
- Best practice: Invest in a digital kitchen scale ($10-20) for the most accurate results
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grams is 1 cup of flour?
1 cup of all-purpose flour weighs approximately 120 grams using the spoon-and-level method. Bread flour is slightly heavier at 127 grams per cup, cake flour is lighter at 114 grams, and whole wheat flour weighs 128 grams per cup. These values are based on USDA food composition data and King Arthur Baking standards.
How many grams is 1 cup of sugar?
1 cup of granulated white sugar weighs 200 grams. Packed brown sugar weighs about 220 grams per cup because it is denser. Powdered (confectioners) sugar weighs only 120 grams per cup due to its fine, airy texture.
Why does the same cup measurement weigh differently for different ingredients?
Because cups measure volume (how much space something takes up), not mass (how heavy it is). Dense ingredients like honey (340 g/cup) pack more mass into the same volume than light, airy ingredients like rolled oats (90 g/cup). This is the fundamental reason why weight-based measurements are more accurate for baking.
Is it better to measure by cups or grams for baking?
Grams are significantly more accurate for baking. A cup of flour can vary by 20-30 grams depending on how you scoop it, which can ruin delicate recipes like macarons, choux pastry, or bread. Professional bakeries worldwide use weight measurements exclusively. For casual cooking (soups, stews), cups are fine.
How many grams is 1 cup of butter?
1 cup of butter equals 227 grams (8 ounces or 2 sticks of butter in the US). Half a cup of butter is 113.5 grams (1 stick). This is one of the few ingredients where the cup-to-gram conversion is very consistent because butter is sold in pre-measured sticks.
How do I convert cups to grams without a scale?
Use the conversion table above. Find your ingredient, note the grams-per-cup value, and multiply by the number of cups in your recipe. For fractions: ½ cup = half the value, ⅓ cup = one-third, ¼ cup = one-quarter. This method is accurate to within 5-10% for most baking applications.
What is the difference between a US cup and a metric cup?
A US cup equals 236.59 mL. A metric cup (used in Australia, New Zealand) equals 250 mL — about 6% larger. An Imperial cup (historical UK) equals 284 mL. Always check which system your recipe uses. This converter uses US cups as the standard.