How many grams in a cup? Complete kitchen conversion chart
Free chart for converting grams to cups for flour, sugar, butter, and more — plus the math behind why ingredient density matters.
April 15, 2026 · 5 min read
If you've ever stared at a recipe in grams while every measuring cup in your kitchen is in cups, you're not alone. Gram-to-cup conversion isn't always one-to-one — it depends on the ingredient because density varies. Here's a clear chart for the ingredients you actually use, plus the math behind it.
Why grams ≠ cups
A cup is a measure of volume. A gram is a measure of weight. One cup of flour and one cup of sugar take up the same space, but they don't weigh the same — sugar is denser. That's why pro bakers prefer grams: it's more accurate.
Common ingredient conversion chart
| Ingredient | 1 cup = |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | ~125 g |
| Bread flour | ~130 g |
| Granulated sugar | ~200 g |
| Brown sugar (packed) | ~220 g |
| Powdered sugar | ~120 g |
| Butter | ~227 g |
| Honey | ~340 g |
| Milk | ~240 g |
| Water | ~237 g |
| Cocoa powder | ~85 g |
| Rolled oats | ~90 g |
| Rice (uncooked) | ~185 g |
Quick conversions for common amounts
- 100 g flour ≈ 0.8 cup
- 250 g sugar ≈ 1.25 cups
- 500 g butter ≈ 2.2 cups
- 1 tablespoon ≈ 15 g (water-like density)
How to convert any recipe yourself
- Find the ingredient density in g/cup (above).
- Divide grams by density to get cups:
cups = grams / g_per_cup. - Round to the nearest 1/8 cup for kitchen use.
Tips for better baking
If you bake more than once a month, buy a $15 kitchen scale. It's the single biggest accuracy upgrade you can make. For everyday cooking, the chart above gets you within 5% — close enough for almost everything except delicate pastry. For an ingredient the chart doesn't list, look it up by ingredient, or convert a whole recipe at once.
