Why does 1 cup of sugar not always equal 200 grams?

Different sugar types have different crystal sizes and densities. Granulated white sugar packs at roughly 200 g/cup, while airy powdered sugar is only 120 g/cup. Brown sugar is typically packed firmly, bringing it to about 220 g/cup.

Should I sift powdered sugar before measuring?

Most recipes measure powdered sugar unsifted (spooned into the cup). This converter uses the standard unsifted density of 120 g/cup. If your recipe says "sifted powdered sugar," the weight will be slightly lower; sift first, then weigh for best accuracy.

Is light brown sugar the same weight as dark brown sugar?

Yes. Both are measured packed, and the density is the same — approximately 220 g/cup. The difference between light and dark is the molasses content, which affects flavor but not weight.

Can I use this converter for coconut sugar or caster sugar?

Coconut sugar is similar to granulated at around 200 g/cup, and caster (superfine) sugar is about 200 g/cup as well, so the granulated setting gives a close approximation for both. For best precision, weigh on a kitchen scale.

How many grams of sugar are in a tablespoon?

One tablespoon is 1/16 of a cup. For granulated sugar that is about 12.5 g; for powdered sugar about 7.5 g; for packed brown sugar about 13.75 g.

Sugar Cups to Grams Converter

Name: Sugar Cups to Grams Converter
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter a cup amount, pick a sugar type, and instantly see the weight in grams.

Convert Cups to Grams

Number of cups

Sugar type

Density Reference

Sugar type	g / cup
Granulated white	200 g
Powdered / confectioners	120 g
Light brown, packed	220 g
Dark brown, packed	220 g
Raw / turbinado	200 g

Quick-Reference Table

Grams for common cup fractions, by sugar type.

Cups	Granulated	Powdered	Lt. Brown	Dk. Brown	Raw / Turb.

Summary

Enter a cup amount, pick a sugar type, and instantly see the weight in grams.

How it works

Enter the number of cups of sugar you need to convert.
Select the sugar type from the dropdown (granulated, powdered, light brown, dark brown, or raw turbinado).
The converter instantly displays the equivalent weight in grams.
Scroll down to the reference table to see pre-calculated weights for common fractions from 1/8 cup to 4 cups.

Use cases

Scale baking recipes that list sugar in cups when you prefer to weigh ingredients.
Convert an American recipe to metric measurements for a kitchen scale.
Determine exact sugar quantities when making candy or pastry requiring precision.
Compare sugar weights across types when substituting one variety for another.
Help beginner bakers understand how much sugar actually weighs.
Use the reference table as a quick cheat sheet pinned near your kitchen scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: 2026-05-29 · Reviewed by Nham Vu