Cooking

Baking Conversion Calculator

Convert between volume and weight for 20 common baking ingredients. Cups to grams, grams to cups, with precise conversions for flour, sugar, butter, and more.

Quick Answer

Different baking ingredients have different densities, so 1 cup of flour does not weigh the same as 1 cup of sugar. Key conversions: 1 cup all-purpose flour = 120g, 1 cup granulated sugar = 200g, 1 cup butter = 227g (2 sticks), 1 cup brown sugar (packed) = 220g. Weighing ingredients is more accurate than measuring by volume.

Conversion Results

120.0
grams
4.23
ounces
1.000
cups
16.0
tablespoons
48.0
teaspoons

Quick Reference: 1 Cup in Grams

IngredientGrams per Cup
All-Purpose Flour120g
Bread Flour130g
Cake Flour114g
Whole Wheat Flour128g
Granulated Sugar200g
Brown Sugar (packed)220g
Powdered Sugar120g
Butter227g
Honey340g
Milk244g
Heavy Cream238g
Sour Cream230g
Cocoa Powder86g
Rolled Oats90g
Cornstarch128g
Almond Flour96g
Coconut Flour112g
Chocolate Chips170g
Nuts (chopped)120g
Cream Cheese232g

About This Tool

The Baking Conversion Calculator converts between volume measurements (cups, tablespoons, teaspoons) and weight measurements (grams, ounces) for common baking ingredients. Because different ingredients have different densities, a cup of flour weighs significantly less than a cup of sugar or a cup of butter. This tool uses standard weight-per-cup values recognized by major baking references.

Why Weight Is More Accurate

Professional bakers almost universally prefer weighing ingredients. The reason is simple: volume measurements are inconsistent. A cup of flour can weigh anywhere from 110 to 150 grams depending on whether it was sifted, spooned, or scooped. That 40-gram difference is enough to turn a tender cake into a dense brick. Weight removes this variability entirely. If a recipe says 120 grams of flour, you get exactly 120 grams every time, regardless of technique.

How to Measure Flour by Volume

If you must use cups, the "spoon and level" method is most accurate: use a spoon to fluff the flour, then spoon it into the measuring cup and level off the top with a straight edge. Never scoop directly from the bag, which compacts the flour and gives you too much. The 120 grams per cup value used in this calculator assumes the spoon-and-level method.

Butter Measurements

Butter is one of the easier ingredients to measure by volume because it comes in standardized sticks. In the US, one stick of butter equals 1/2 cup, 8 tablespoons, or 113 grams. Two sticks equal 1 cup or 227 grams. Many butter wrappers include tablespoon markings for easy measuring.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many grams of flour are in a cup?
One cup of all-purpose flour weighs approximately 120 grams when measured using the spoon-and-level method. Bread flour is slightly heavier at 130 grams per cup due to its higher protein content. Cake flour is lighter at about 114 grams per cup. These are standard values used by King Arthur, America's Test Kitchen, and other leading baking references.
How many grams of sugar are in a cup?
One cup of granulated (white) sugar weighs 200 grams. Packed brown sugar is slightly heavier at 220 grams per cup because it includes molasses. Powdered (confectioners') sugar is much lighter at 120 grams per cup because of the air trapped between the fine particles and the added cornstarch.
Why do baking recipes in different countries use different measurements?
American recipes traditionally use volume measurements (cups, tablespoons) while European and professional recipes use weight (grams). Volume became standard in American home cooking because measuring cups were inexpensive and widely available. The trend is shifting toward weight as kitchen scales become common and bakers discover the improved consistency.
Can I substitute one type of flour for another using this converter?
This tool converts between volume and weight for the same ingredient. Substituting flour types changes the recipe's behavior because different flours have different protein contents, absorbency, and textures. For example, swapping all-purpose for cake flour requires recipe adjustments beyond simple weight conversion. Always follow recipe-specific substitution guidance.
How accurate are these gram-per-cup values?
These values are based on widely accepted standards from King Arthur Baking, USDA nutrient database, and professional baking references. They assume proper measuring technique (spoon and level for dry ingredients, liquid measuring cup at eye level for liquids). Actual weights can vary by 5-10% depending on technique, humidity, and brand.

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