Where Sources Actually Disagree
The clearest example is flour. King Arthur's own ingredient chart lists all-purpose flour at 120 grams per cup, using the spoon-and-sweep method its own Recipe Success Guide recommends. Other reference sources sometimes report closer to 125 grams per cup. Neither figure should automatically be treated as universally correct.
Salt shows an even bigger split, and for a clearer reason: grain size. King Arthur's chart lists table salt at 18 grams per tablespoon, Morton kosher salt at 16 grams per tablespoon, and Diamond Crystal kosher salt at 8 grams per tablespoon.
Oats tell a similar story. King Arthur's chart lists old-fashioned and quick-cooking oats at 89 grams per cup, but its own rolled oats product comes in heavier at 113 grams per cup.
Cup Size by Country
| Country | Standard Cup | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 236.59 mL | The US customary cup, and the standard behind every table on this page. |
| United Kingdom | 250 mL metric cup | Modern UK recipes generally use metric weights instead of cups; older sources may use the 284.13 mL Imperial cup. |
| Australia | 250 mL | Same metric cup as the UK and Canada, but Australia's tablespoon is 20 mL instead of 15 mL. |
| Canada | 250 mL | Officially metric, though many Canadian recipes borrow the 236.59 mL US cup from American sources. |
| Philippines | 236.59 mL or 250 mL | Filipino recipes mix US and metric cups. Check which one a specific recipe means before converting. |
Ingredient Weight Table
The values below are reference weights, not universal constants. When King Arthur publishes a product-specific weight, that product is identified in the Basis column; where no single authoritative figure exists, the table gives a range or reference estimate instead. Tablespoon and teaspoon columns are calculated from the cup figure at 16 tablespoons and 48 teaspoons per cup.
Flours and Baking Staples
| Ingredient | Grams/cup | Grams/tbsp | Grams/tsp | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 120g | 7.5g | 2.5g | King Arthur |
| Bread flour | 120g | 7.5g | 2.5g | King Arthur |
| Whole wheat flour (Premium 100%) | 113g | 7.06g | 2.35g | King Arthur |
| Cake flour | 114g | 7.13g | 2.38g | King Arthur |
| Almond flour, toasted | 96g | 6g | 2g | King Arthur |
| Coconut flour | 128g | 8g | 2.67g | King Arthur |
| Self-rising flour | 113g | 7.06g | 2.35g | King Arthur |
| Semolina flour | 163g | 10.19g | 3.4g | King Arthur |
| Baking powder | 192g | 12g | 4g | King Arthur |
| Baking soda | 288g, scaled up from ½ tsp = 3g; treat as approximate | 18g | 6g | King Arthur |
| Cornstarch | 128g | 8g | 2.67g | King Arthur |
Sugars and Sweeteners
| Ingredient | Grams/cup | Grams/tbsp | Grams/tsp | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granulated sugar | 198g | 12.38g | 4.13g | King Arthur |
| Brown sugar, packed | 213g (other references report closer to 220g) | 13.31g | 4.44g | King Arthur |
| Powdered sugar, unsifted | 113g | 7.06g | 2.35g | King Arthur |
| Honey | 336g | 21g | 7g | King Arthur |
| Maple syrup | 312g | 19.5g | 6.5g | King Arthur |
| Molasses | 340g | 21.25g | 7.08g | King Arthur |
| Agave nectar | 336g | 21g | 7g | King Arthur |
| Coconut sugar | 180g | 11.25g | 3.75g | Reference estimate |
Fats and Oils
| Ingredient | Grams/cup | Grams/tbsp | Grams/tsp | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butter | 226g | 14.13g | 4.71g | King Arthur |
| Vegetable oil | 198g | 12.38g | 4.13g | King Arthur |
| Olive oil | 200g | 12.5g | 4.17g | King Arthur |
| Coconut oil | 226g, varies with temperature | 14.13g | 4.71g | King Arthur |
| Shortening | 205g | 12.81g | 4.27g | Reference estimate |
Dairy and Liquids
| Ingredient | Grams/cup | Grams/tbsp | Grams/tsp | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk | 227g | 14.19g | 4.73g | King Arthur |
| Heavy cream | 227g | 14.19g | 4.73g | King Arthur (grouped with light cream/half-and-half) |
| Sour cream | 227g | 14.19g | 4.73g | King Arthur |
| Buttermilk | 227g | 14.19g | 4.73g | King Arthur |
| Cream cheese | 232g | 14.5g | 4.83g | Reference estimate |
| Water | 236.59g | 14.79g | 4.93g | Calculated from 236.59 mL using water's approximate density of 1g/mL |
| Lemon juice | 244g | 15.25g | 5.08g | USDA data |
Dry Goods and Pantry
| Ingredient | Grams/cup | Grams/tbsp | Grams/tsp | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oats, old-fashioned or quick-cooking | 89g | 5.56g | 1.85g | King Arthur |
| Oats, King Arthur rolled oats | 113g | 7.06g | 2.35g | King Arthur |
| Rice, uncooked | 185g to 200g, depending on type | 11.56g to 12.5g | 3.85g to 4.17g | USDA/reference data |
| Brown rice, uncooked | 190g | 11.88g | 3.96g | Reference estimate |
| Cocoa powder, unsweetened | 84g | 5.25g | 1.75g | King Arthur |
| Chocolate chips | 170g | 10.63g | 3.54g | Reference estimate |
| Table salt, fine | 288g | 18g | 6g | King Arthur |
| Morton kosher salt | 256g | 16g | 5.33g | King Arthur |
| Diamond Crystal kosher salt | 128g | 8g | 2.67g | King Arthur |
| Breadcrumbs | 108g | 6.75g | 2.25g | Reference estimate |
| Cornmeal | 160g | 10g | 3.33g | Reference estimate |
| Quinoa, uncooked | 170g | 10.63g | 3.54g | Reference estimate |
Nuts and Seeds
| Ingredient | Grams/cup | Grams/tbsp | Grams/tsp | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almonds, whole | 142g | 8.88g | 2.96g | King Arthur |
| Walnuts, chopped | 120g | 7.5g | 2.5g | Reference estimate |
| Pecans, chopped | 109g | 6.81g | 2.27g | Reference estimate |
| Cashews | 137g | 8.56g | 2.85g | Reference estimate |
| Sunflower seeds | 140g | 8.75g | 2.92g | Reference estimate |
| Chia seeds | 168g | 10.5g | 3.5g | Reference estimate |
Large egg: 50 grams each without shell, King Arthur. This is a per-egg weight, not a grams-per-cup figure, since the number of eggs in a cup depends on how they're beaten and measured.
Why We Don't Just Publish One Number Per Ingredient
Most conversion charts pick a single figure per ingredient and move on. That works fine for honey and maple syrup, where published figures leave little room for dispute. It breaks down for flour, salt, and oats, where the product, brand, or measuring method changes the outcome.
For the math on a specific gram amount rather than a full cup, our 100 grams to cups page runs the calculation per ingredient, and our accuracy guide goes deeper into why these figures shift.
Measuring Tips
Flour and Other Powders
Gently spoon dry ingredients into the cup and sweep off the excess rather than scooping directly from the bag.
Brown Sugar
Press it firmly into the cup until it holds the cup's shape when tipped out.
Liquids
Use a clear liquid measuring cup on a flat surface and read the line at eye level.
When Precision Matters Most
A digital kitchen scale removes guesswork and is the most reliable option for bread, pastry, and precise recipes.
References
- King Arthur Baking: Ingredient Weight Chart — source for figures attributed to King Arthur above.
- King Arthur Baking: Recipe Success Guide — measurement standards and the spoon-and-sweep method.
- USDA FoodData Central — general reference for portion-weight data.
There isn't always one universally correct grams-per-cup number. The ingredient, product, brand, preparation state, and measurement method all matter.