Cups to Grams — The Complete Conversion Guide for Bakers
If you have ever followed an American recipe and wondered why your baked goods don't turn out quite right, inaccurate cup measurements are likely the culprit. Cups are a volume measurement, not a weight measurement — which means a cup of flour can vary by up to 30% depending on how it is scooped.
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Open ingredient converterWhy Weight Measurements Matter
Professional bakers almost universally use weight measurements rather than cups. A kitchen scale eliminates guesswork entirely and produces consistent results every time. If you don't own one yet, check out our recommended kitchen scales in our Kitchen Essentials section.
Common Ingredient Conversions
| Ingredient | 1 Cup in Grams |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 125g |
| Almond flour | 96g |
| Bread flour | 120g |
| Cake flour | 100g |
| Coconut flour | 112g |
| Whole wheat flour | 130g |
| Brown sugar (packed) | 220g |
| Granulated sugar | 200g |
| Powdered sugar | 120g |
| Butter | 227g |
| Cream cheese | 232g |
| Greek yogurt | 245g |
| Heavy cream | 238g |
| Sour cream | 230g |
| Whole milk | 244g |
| Baking powder | 230g |
| Chocolate chips | 170g |
| Cocoa powder | 85g |
| Cornstarch | 120g |
| Honey | 340g |
| Maple syrup | 322g |
| Peanut butter | 258g |
| Rolled oats | 90g |
| Salt | 273g |
| Vegetable oil | 218g |
How to measure flour correctly
For the most accurate results, always use the spoon and level method — spoon flour into your measuring cup until it overflows, then level off the top with a straight edge. Never scoop directly from the bag as this compacts the flour and can add up to 30% more than the recipe intends. For guaranteed accuracy, use a digital kitchen scale every time.
How to Convert Cups to Grams
The easiest way is to use our free ingredient converter. Simply select your ingredient, enter the amount, and get an instant accurate conversion.
Investing in a simple digital kitchen scale is the single best upgrade any home baker can make. They cost as little as $15 and will immediately improve the consistency of your baking results. Browse our recommended scales in the Kitchen Essentials section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I convert cups to grams?
A: Multiply your cup amount by the gram weight of that specific ingredient. Because ingredients have different densities, the conversion varies — 1 cup of flour is 125g, 1 cup of sugar is 200g, and 1 cup of butter is 227g. Use the free converter at the top of this page for any ingredient instantly.
Q: How many grams are in 1 cup?
A: It depends on the ingredient. 1 cup of water is 240g, 1 cup of all-purpose flour is 125g, 1 cup of granulated sugar is 200g, and 1 cup of butter is 227g. There is no single universal answer — ingredient density determines the gram weight every time.
Q: How many grams are in 2 cups?
A: Again this depends on the ingredient. 2 cups of flour is approximately 250g, 2 cups of sugar is 400g, and 2 cups of butter is 454g. Use the converter above and enter 2 as your cup amount for any ingredient.
Q: How many grams are in 1 cup of flour?
A: One cup of all-purpose flour weighs approximately 125g using the spoon and level method. Bread flour is 120g and cake flour is 100g per cup. Scooping directly from the bag can add up to 30% more flour than the recipe intends.
Q: How many grams are in 1 cup of sugar?
A: One cup of granulated sugar weighs 200g. Brown sugar packed weighs 220g and powdered sugar is 120g per cup.
Q: How many grams are in 1 cup of butter?
A: One cup of butter weighs 227g, which is equal to 2 sticks of American butter.
Q: Are US cups and UK cups the same?
A: No — a US cup is 236ml while a UK metric cup is 250ml. Always check which cup size your recipe uses, especially for international recipes.
Q: Why do my baked goods turn out differently every time?
A: Inconsistent cup measurements are the most common cause. A cup of flour can vary by up to 30% depending on how it is scooped. Switching to weight measurements in grams eliminates this problem entirely.