How do I convert cups to grams on a food scale?

Use the food scale calculator by selecting the ingredient, entering the number of cups, and choosing grams as the output unit. The calculator multiplies the volume by the ingredient’s density to give you the exact gram weight to place on your food scale.

Why do different ingredients have different grams per cup?

Each ingredient has a different density. One cup of flour weighs much less than one cup of sugar or one cup of oil. That’s why you can’t use a single “grams per cup” value for all foods. The food scale calculator uses ingredient-specific densities for more accurate conversions.

Is it better to weigh ingredients instead of using cups?

Yes. Weighing ingredients on a food scale is more accurate and consistent than using cups or spoons, especially for baking. Small packing differences in a cup of flour can change the weight by 10–20%, which can affect texture and results. Using grams or ounces avoids this problem.

Can I convert from grams back to cups or tablespoons?

Yes. The calculator is bidirectional. Enter the weight in grams or ounces, select the ingredient, and choose cups, tablespoons, or teaspoons as the output unit. The tool divides the weight by the ingredient’s density to estimate the equivalent volume.

Are the food weight conversions exact?

All values are based on typical reference densities from nutrition and food science sources. Real-world weights can vary slightly due to packing, grind size, moisture, and brand. For critical recipes, always rely on your food scale and treat calculator values as best estimates.

Food Scale Calculator

Convert cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, and milliliters to grams or ounces for specific ingredients – and back again. Ideal for baking, meal prep, and macro tracking.

1. Choose ingredient & input

Ingredient

From value From unit

To unit

Using default density for all-purpose flour: 120 g per cup.

2. Read result for your food scale

Result

120 g

1 cup all-purpose flour ≈ 120 g

Popular presets

Tip: Put your empty bowl on the food scale and press Tare, then add ingredients until the display matches the target grams or ounces above.

Common kitchen conversions (cups ⇄ grams)

Ingredient	1 cup (US)	1 tbsp	1 tsp

How this food scale calculator works

Measuring by weight is the most accurate way to cook and bake. This food scale calculator converts between volume units (cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, milliliters) and weight units (grams, ounces) using ingredient-specific densities.

Core formulas

1. Volume → Weight

\(\text{Weight (g)} = \text{Volume (mL)} \times \text{Density (g/mL)}\)

2. Weight → Volume

\(\text{Volume (mL)} = \dfrac{\text{Weight (g)}}{\text{Density (g/mL)}}\)

The calculator converts cups/tbsp/tsp to milliliters using standard US measures, then applies the ingredient density to get grams or ounces.

Step-by-step example

Goal: A recipe calls for 2 cups of all-purpose flour, but you want to weigh it.

Select All-purpose flour as the ingredient.
Enter 2 as the value and choose cups as the “from” unit.
Choose grams as the “to” unit and click Convert.
The calculator uses 1 cup ≈ 120 g for flour, so 2 cups ≈ 240 g. Put your bowl on the scale, tare it, and add flour until it reads about 240 g.

Why grams per cup are different for each ingredient

A cup is a measure of space, not weight. A cup of feathers weighs less than a cup of sand because the density is different. The same is true in the kitchen:

1 cup water ≈ 240 g
1 cup all-purpose flour ≈ 120 g
1 cup granulated sugar ≈ 200 g
1 cup butter ≈ 227 g

That’s why generic “1 cup = 240 g” conversions are misleading. This calculator uses ingredient-specific densities to give you realistic values.

Accuracy and limitations

The densities used here are based on common food science and nutrition references and assume typical packing (e.g., spooned and leveled flour). Real-world values can vary due to:

How tightly ingredients are packed into the cup
Grind size (e.g., fine vs coarse salt or sugar)
Moisture content and brand differences

For critical recipes (especially baking), always treat the calculator as a guide and rely on your food scale as the final authority.

Tips for using a food scale effectively

Always tare: Put your empty bowl on the scale and press Tare before adding ingredients.
Weigh directly into the bowl: Add ingredients one by one, taring between each, to reduce dishes and improve accuracy.
Prefer grams over ounces: Grams give finer resolution and are standard in professional recipes.
Stick to one system: Avoid mixing cups and grams in the same recipe when possible.