Calculate grams of sugar to cups, compare sugar types, or convert cups, tablespoons, and mL back to grams for baking with US or metric cups.
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Grams of Sugar to Cups Formula
The calculator converts between weight and volume using the density of each sugar type. The base reference is grams per US cup.
Cups = Grams / (gPerUsCup * (CupVolume_mL / 236.5882))
Grams = Volume_mL * (gPerUsCup / 236.5882)
- Cups: result in the chosen cup standard (US or metric).
- Grams: weight of sugar after converting from g, kg, oz, or lb.
- gPerUsCup: density of the sugar type in grams per US cup.
- CupVolume_mL: 236.5882 mL for a US cup, 250 mL for a metric cup.
- Volume_mL: input volume converted to milliliters (1 US cup = 236.5882 mL, 1 tbsp = US cup / 16, 1 tsp = US cup / 48).
The Grams to cups tab applies the first formula and also returns tablespoons and milliliters. The Compare types tab runs the same formula across every sugar type so you can see how texture changes the cup count for the same weight. The Cups to grams tab uses the second formula to give you a baking-accurate weight from a scooped volume.
Sugar Density Reference
These are the gram-per-US-cup values used by the calculator. Packing and sifting are the main reasons a single sugar can have two different values.
| Sugar type | g per US cup | g per metric cup |
|---|---|---|
| Granulated white | 200 | 211 |
| Caster / superfine | 225 | 238 |
| Brown sugar, packed | 220 | 232 |
| Brown sugar, loose | 180 | 190 |
| Powdered / confectioners | 120 | 127 |
| Icing sugar, sifted | 100 | 106 |
| Raw / turbinado | 250 | 264 |
Common Gram Amounts in Cups
Quick lookup for granulated white sugar in US cups.
| Grams | US cups | Kitchen measure |
|---|---|---|
| 25 g | 0.125 | 2 tbsp |
| 50 g | 0.25 | 1/4 cup |
| 100 g | 0.5 | 1/2 cup |
| 150 g | 0.75 | 3/4 cup |
| 200 g | 1.00 | 1 cup |
| 250 g | 1.25 | 1 1/4 cups |
| 500 g | 2.50 | 2 1/2 cups |
| 1000 g | 5.00 | 5 cups |
Worked Examples
Example 1: 150 g of granulated sugar to US cups. Granulated sugar is 200 g per US cup. Cups = 150 / 200 = 0.75. That is 3/4 cup.
Example 2: 100 g of powdered sugar to metric cups. Powdered sugar is 120 g per US cup, which equals 120 * (250 / 236.5882) = 126.8 g per metric cup. Cups = 100 / 126.8 = 0.789 metric cups, or about 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon.
FAQ
Why does brown sugar have two values? Most recipes call for packed brown sugar, where you press it into the cup. Loose brown sugar is poured in without packing and weighs roughly 40 g less per cup.
Is a US cup the same as a metric cup? No. A US cup is 236.5882 mL and a metric cup is 250 mL. The difference is small but matters for larger amounts.
Should I use cups or grams for baking? Grams. A digital scale removes the variation that comes from how tightly you scoop. Use cup conversions for quick reference, not precision work.
Why is sifted icing sugar lighter? Sifting breaks up clumps and adds air, so less sugar fits in the same cup. Sifted icing sugar is about 100 g per cup, while unsifted powdered sugar is closer to 120 g.
