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Quick, how many grams are in a cup? I’ll break it down with quick answers, a conversion chart, and some handy definitions and tips for figuring it out on the fly!
Table of Contents
Ever find yourself with everything you think you need for a recipe, only to realize the ingredients are in a measurement you’re unfamiliar with? I know I do.
So, to save time and frustration, I wanted to come up with cooking resources that you could call on whenever you find yourself in a baking emergency. This time around, we’re tackling grams to cups!
How many grams are in a cup? The quick answer.
According to the metric measurement system, there are 250 grams in 1 cup.
What are grams?
Grams (abbreviated as g or gm) is a unit of weight found in the metric system. There are 1000 milligrams in 1 gram and 1000 grams in 1 kilogram. Since most countries use this system, many recipes will be listed using grams.
The United States uses the US customary system, which is based on the imperial system. In this case, weight is measured in ounces and then must be converted to grams.
What is a cup?
Every measurement system has ‘cups,’ though the actual unit over volume in a cup varies by system.
In the US customary system, an imperial cup is 8 ounces, half a pint, or 240 milliliters. In the metric system, a metric cup is equal to 250 milliliters.
How to convert grams to cups
To convert grams to cups, divide the weight of the ingredient (in grams) by 237 times the ingredient’s density. Here’s an example:
To convert 250 grams of butter to cups (which has a density of 0.91 grams), you’d need to multiply 237 by the density, then divide it by the grams of butter.
250 / (237 x 0.91) = 1.59 cups
How to convert cups to grams
To convert cups to grams, multiply the weight of the ingredient (in cups) by 237 times the density. Here’s an example:
To convert 1 cup of butter to grams (which has a density of 0.91 grams), you’d need to multiply 237 by the density, then divide by the cups of butter.
1 x (237 x 0.91) = 215.67 grams
Common cooking ingredients & conversions
Butter
| Cups | Grams | Ounces (oz) |
| 1/4 cup | 57 grams | 2 oz |
| 1/3 cup | 76 grams | 2.7 oz |
| 1/2 cup | 113 grams | 4 oz |
| 2/3 cup | 151 grams | 5.3 oz |
| 3/4 cup | 170 grams | 6 oz |
| 1 cup | 227 grams | 8 oz |
All-purpose Flour
| Cups | Grams | Ounces (oz) |
| 1/4 cup | 31 grams | 1.1 oz |
| 1/3 cup | 42 grams | 1.5 oz |
| 1/2 cup | 63 grams | 2.2 oz |
| 2/3 cup | 83 grams | 3 oz |
| 3/4 cup | 94 grams | 3.3 oz |
| 1 cup | 125 grams | 4.4 oz |
Cocoa Powder
| Cups | Grams | Ounces (oz) |
| 1/4 cup | 21 grams | 0.75 oz |
| 1/3 cup | 28 grams | 1 oz |
| 1/2 cup | 43 grams | 1.5 oz |
| 2/3 cup | 57 grams | 2 oz |
| 3/4 cup | 64 grams | 2.25 oz |
| 1 cup | 85 grams | 3 oz |
White sugar
| Cups | Grams | Ounces (oz) |
| 1/4 cup | 50 grams | 1.8 oz |
| 1/3 cup | 67 grams | 2.4 oz |
| 1/2 cup | 100 grams | 3.6 oz |
| 2/3 cup | 134 grams | 4.7 oz |
| 3/4 cup | 150 grams | 5.3 oz |
| 1 cup | 200 grams | 7.1 oz |
Packed brown sugar
| Cups | Grams | Ounces (oz) |
| 1/4 cup | 55 grams | 1.9 oz |
| 1/3 cup | 73 grams | 2.6 oz |
| 1/2 cup | 110 grams | 3.9 oz |
| 2/3 cup | 147 grams | 5.2 oz |
| 3/4 cup | 165 grams | 5.8 oz |
| 1 cup | 220 grams | 7.75 oz |
Rice
| Cups | Grams | Ounces (oz) |
| 1/4 cup | 46 grams | 1.6 oz |
| 1/3 cup | 62 grams | 2.2 oz |
| 1/2 cup | 93 grams | 3.3 oz |
| 2/3 cup | 123 grams | 4.3 oz |
| 3/4 cup | 139 grams | 4.9 oz |
| 1 cup | 185 grams | 6.5 oz |
Sticky Sweeteners (Molasses, honey, maple syrup)
| Cups | Grams | Ounces (oz) |
| 1/4 cup | 85 grams | 3 oz |
| 1/3 cup | 113 grams | 4 oz |
| 1/2 cup | 170 grams | 6 oz |
| 2/3 cup | 227 grams | 8 oz |
| 3/4 cup | 255 grams | 9 oz |
| 1 cup | 340 grams | 12 oz |
Why you should use a kitchen scale
My kitchen scale is the most well-worn kitchen gadget I own. Here’s why I use it all the time:
- Accuracy. There is very little room for error and the weight is as accurate as can be.
- Utilizes MANY different units. A basic scale can offer fluid ounces, ounces, ml, and grams.
- No mess. There are no measuring cups to wash or bowls to rinse out.
Frequently asked questions
There are 250 grams in 1 cup.
1 cup of water (a liquid ingredient) contains 240 grams.
Using flour (and other non-liquid ingredients) as a base, there are 60 grams in half a cup. This would differ based on what the half cup contains. For a liquid ingredient, like cream, there are 125 grams.
Hello Arman!
Thank you so much for your guidance. I prefer to weigh my ingredients, but since your recipes are given in cups, I need to convert either to grams, ounces or pounds.
For example, when you say “1 1/2 cups of flour’, that would be equivalent to:
130g (US)
148g (Metric)
175g (UK)
I’d like to know which system of measurement you use in all your recipes (US, International Metric, UK)?
Hello Adeline! We use US cups 🙂
A vexing question..trying to work out how many grams in a stick of butter required in American recipes. 115 or 125?
Can you help with this measurement. Thank you.
Hi! It is actually 113 grams 🙂
Thank you so much for all the work that you have put into this, Arman. I have so needed this for a very long time, as I never retain any conversions in my head! I am printing it out for easy referencing.
Absolutely love your innovative, easy to follow recipes and ideas.
Kind regards.
Jules.
Hi, there,
Just a little confused by this.
“Flour is a common ingredient used in baking. Based on research and evidence, there are 240 grams in one cup of flour.” I’ve always read that 1 cup flour is in the 120 gram range. Just wondering if there’s an error there.
Thanks so much.
Hi Linda- apologies there was an error with the article when posted. It should be amended now- 120 grams per cups is correct.