How Many Cups in a Pound of Sugar?
One pound of granulated white sugar equals 2¼ cups. That's the number printed on most sugar bags in the US, and it's the figure bakers and recipe developers use as the standard. But it changes depending on the type of sugar — powdered sugar packs far more loosely, and brown sugar is typically measured packed.
Cups Per Pound by Sugar Type
| Sugar Type | Cups per pound | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Granulated white sugar | 2¼ cups | Spoon and level |
| Brown sugar (light or dark) | 2¼ cups | Packed into cup |
| Powdered sugar (confectioners') | 3½–4 cups | Sifted; 3½ cups unsifted |
| Raw sugar (turbinado/demerara) | 2 cups | Larger crystals, denser |
| Coconut sugar | 2½ cups | Spoon and level |
| Caster sugar (superfine) | 2¼ cups | Same as granulated by weight |
All measurements assume a standard US cup (237ml). Packed brown sugar means pressing firmly into the cup until the sugar holds the cup's shape when turned out.
Why Powdered Sugar Is So Different
Powdered sugar (also called confectioners' sugar or icing sugar) is granulated sugar ground to an extremely fine powder with a small amount of cornstarch added. Because the particles are so tiny, they pack loosely and leave a lot of air space in the measuring cup. The result is that 1 pound of powdered sugar takes up 3½–4 cups of volume — nearly double the space of the same weight of granulated sugar.
Whether it's sifted or not matters too: sifted powdered sugar takes up more space because sifting breaks up clumps and adds air. If a recipe says "1 cup powdered sugar, sifted," measure first then sift. If it says "1 cup sifted powdered sugar," sift first then measure.
Pounds to Cups Conversion Table
| Pounds | Granulated (cups) | Brown sugar (cups) | Powdered (cups) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¼ lb | ½ cup + 1 tbsp | ½ cup + 1 tbsp | ¾–1 cup |
| ½ lb | 1⅛ cups | 1⅛ cups | 1¾–2 cups |
| ¾ lb | 1¾ cups | 1¾ cups | 2½–3 cups |
| 1 lb | 2¼ cups | 2¼ cups | 3½–4 cups |
| 2 lb | 4½ cups | 4½ cups | 7–8 cups |
| 5 lb | 11¼ cups | 11¼ cups | 17–20 cups |
Grams Per Cup for Each Sugar Type
If you're working with a kitchen scale, these gram weights are more precise than cup measurements:
| Sugar Type | 1 cup (g) | ½ cup (g) | ¼ cup (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granulated white | 200g | 100g | 50g |
| Brown sugar (packed) | 200g | 100g | 50g |
| Powdered sugar (unsifted) | 120g | 60g | 30g |
| Powdered sugar (sifted) | 115g | 58g | 29g |
| Raw/turbinado sugar | 225g | 113g | 56g |
| Coconut sugar | 180g | 90g | 45g |
For the full sugar conversion guide including more cup fractions and all common types, see our How Many Grams in a Cup of Sugar guide.
How to Measure Sugar for Baking
Granulated and caster sugar: Spoon into the measuring cup and level off with a straight edge. Sugar doesn't compact much, so you can also scoop directly — the difference is small. Do not pack granulated sugar.
Brown sugar: Pack firmly into the measuring cup, pressing with a spoon or your fingers until the sugar holds the shape of the cup when turned out. This is how brown sugar is always measured unless a recipe specifically says "loosely packed."
Powdered sugar: For the most consistent results, spoon powdered sugar into the cup rather than scooping, then level off. Scooping compacts the sugar and can add 20–30% more than intended.
Best practice: Use a kitchen scale. 200g of granulated sugar is always 200g, regardless of how you fill the measuring cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cups are in a 2-pound bag of sugar?
A 2-pound bag of granulated white sugar contains approximately 4½ cups. A 2-pound bag of powdered sugar contains approximately 7–8 cups.
How many cups are in a 5-pound bag of sugar?
A standard 5-pound bag of granulated sugar contains approximately 11¼ cups. This is why many large baking recipes list "1 bag of sugar" rather than a cup amount — the bag itself is the measurement unit.
Is a cup of brown sugar the same weight as a cup of white sugar?
When packed, yes — both weigh approximately 200g per cup. Unpacked, brown sugar weighs slightly less per cup due to its moisture content and how it settles. Recipes that call for brown sugar almost always mean packed, so the standard comparison holds.
How many cups of powdered sugar are in a 1-pound box?
A 1-pound box of powdered sugar contains approximately 3½ cups unsifted, or up to 4 cups if sifted. Domino and C&H both note 3½ cups per pound on their packaging.