Convert cups to kilograms or kilograms to cups for common ingredients using density, with US cups, metric cups, mL, L, kg, and g units.
Assumptions Density-based
- Conversion is volume-to-mass using density: mass (g) = volume (mL) × density (g/mL).
- Densities are approximate at typical room temperature (~20–22°C) and may vary by brand, processing, and humidity.
- Powders assume spooned-and-leveled measurements, not packed (except where labeled “packed”).
- Unit standards used: US cup = 236.588 mL; Metric cup = 250 mL; 1 kg = 1000 g.
- UK/Imperial cup sizes are not supported.
When to Use This Calculator
- Converting recipe volumes (cups) to precise masses (kg/g) for baking accuracy.
- Standardizing ingredient lists across US and metric kitchens.
- Estimating shipping weights or nutrition calculations when only volume is known.
Input Definitions
- Cups — select US (236.588 mL) or Metric (250 mL), or enter directly in mL/L.
- Kilograms — choose kg or g for mass output/input.
- Ingredient & Density — pick a preset or enter a custom density in g/mL.
- Conversions — kg = cups × (mL per cup) × ρ ÷ 1000; cups = kg × 1000 ÷ [(mL per cup) × ρ].
Cup to Kg Formula
The following formulas convert cups to kilograms and back, where ρ is density in g/mL and CmL/cup is 236.588 for a US cup or 250 for a metric cup.
\mathrm{kg} = \frac{\mathrm{cups} \times C_{\mathrm{mL/cup}} \times \rho}{1000}\mathrm{cups} = \frac{1000 \times \mathrm{kg}}{C_{\mathrm{mL/cup}} \times \rho}- US cup = 236.588 mL
- Metric cup = 250 mL.
- 1 kilogram = 1000 grams.
- Example densities (ρ): water ≈ 1.00 g/mL; olive oil ≈ 0.91 g/mL; all-purpose flour ≈ 0.53 g/mL; honey ≈ 1.42 g/mL.
How do you convert cups to kilograms? Multiply cups by the cup size in mL (US 236.588 or metric 250), multiply by the ingredient density (g/mL), then divide by 1000 to get kilograms.
How do you convert kilograms to cups? Multiply kilograms by 1000 to get grams, divide by density (g/mL) to get mL, then divide by the chosen cup size (mL per cup) to get cups.
Cups to Kg Conversion Table
| Cups (US) | Kilograms (kg) |
|---|---|
| 1/16 | 0.015 |
| ⅛ | 0.030 |
| 1/6 | 0.039 |
| ¼ | 0.059 |
| ⅓ | 0.079 |
| ⅜ | 0.089 |
| ½ | 0.118 |
| ⅝ | 0.148 |
| ⅔ | 0.158 |
| ¾ | 0.177 |
| ⅞ | 0.207 |
| 1 | 0.237 |
| 1¼ | 0.296 |
| 1⅓ | 0.315 |
| 1½ | 0.355 |
| 1¾ | 0.414 |
| 2 | 0.473 |
| 2½ | 0.591 |
| 3 | 0.710 |
| 4 | 0.946 |
| * Rounded to 3 decimals. Assumes water (ρ = 1.00 g/mL). US customary: 1 cup ≈ 0.236588 kg. | |
Example Problem
Convert 2.5 US cups of water to kilograms.
Use the formula: kg = cups × CmL/cup × ρ ÷ 1000.
kg = 2.5 × 236.588 × 1.00 ÷ 1000 = 0.591 kg
