Calculate grams from cups for flour, sugar, butter, and 20+ other ingredients with this cups to grams converter calculator.
Cups to Grams Formula
Converting cups to grams uses the density of the ingredient, because a cup is a measure of volume and a gram is a measure of weight. Each ingredient packs a different mass into the same cup, so you multiply by a grams-per-cup figure that is specific to that ingredient.
grams = cups * density
To go the other way, from grams back to cups, you divide:
cups = grams / density
- grams: the weight of the ingredient in grams (g)
- cups: the volume of the ingredient in US cups
- density: the weight of one US cup of that ingredient, in grams per cup (g/cup)
The calculator stores a density value for each ingredient in the list. When you pick an ingredient and enter an amount, it multiplies (cups to grams) or divides (grams to cups) by that density. If your ingredient is not listed, choose the custom option and type its grams-per-cup value, which you can find on a package label or a weight chart. The result also reports ounces or tablespoons so you can cross-check against other measuring tools.
Grams per Cup for Common Ingredients
These are standard weights for one level US cup. Flour values assume the spoon-and-level method; scooping packs more flour and raises the weight.
| Ingredient | Grams per cup | Ounces per cup |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 125 g | 4.4 oz |
| Granulated sugar | 200 g | 7.1 oz |
| Brown sugar (packed) | 220 g | 7.8 oz |
| Powdered sugar | 120 g | 4.2 oz |
| Butter | 227 g | 8.0 oz |
| Water | 237 g | 8.4 oz |
| Milk | 244 g | 8.6 oz |
| Honey | 340 g | 12.0 oz |
| Rolled oats | 90 g | 3.2 oz |
| Cocoa powder | 100 g | 3.5 oz |
Example Problems
Example 1. You need to weigh out 2 cups of all-purpose flour. Flour has a density of 125 grams per cup.
grams = cups * density = 2 * 125 = 250 grams.
So 2 cups of all-purpose flour weighs 250 grams.
Example 2. A recipe lists 250 grams of granulated sugar, but you only have measuring cups. Granulated sugar has a density of 200 grams per cup.
cups = grams / density = 250 / 200 = 1.25 cups.
So 250 grams of granulated sugar is 1.25 cups, or 1 cup plus 4 tablespoons.
FAQ
Why is one cup not always the same number of grams?
A cup measures volume, not weight. Light, fluffy ingredients like flour or oats weigh far less per cup than dense ones like sugar or honey. Because the weight per cup changes with the ingredient, you have to apply that ingredient’s density to get the correct grams.
How many grams are in one cup of flour?
One level cup of all-purpose flour is about 125 grams using the spoon-and-level method. If you scoop the cup directly into the bag, the flour packs down and can reach 150 grams or more, which is why weighing is more reliable than measuring by volume.
Is a US cup the same as a metric cup?
No. A US cup is about 237 milliliters, while a metric cup is 250 milliliters. The values in this calculator are based on the US cup, so a metric cup of the same ingredient will weigh roughly 5 percent more.
