How Many Grams in a Cup of Sugar?
A cup of sugar doesn't weigh the same as a cup of flour — and even different types of sugar have different weights. Getting this right matters in baking, where sugar affects texture, browning, and moisture retention. Here's the exact gram weight for every common sugar type.
Quick Answer by Sugar Type
| Sugar type | 1 cup (grams) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Granulated white sugar | 200g | Standard baking sugar |
| Light brown sugar | 213g | Packed |
| Dark brown sugar | 220g | Packed, more molasses |
| Powdered (icing) sugar | 120g | Sifted; 130g unsifted |
| Coconut sugar | 180g | Loosely packed |
| Raw/turbinado sugar | 200g | Coarser crystal |
| Caster (superfine) sugar | 200g | Same as granulated by weight |
| Demerara sugar | 220g | Larger crystal, loosely packed |
Full Cups to Grams Conversion Table — Granulated Sugar
Granulated white sugar is the baseline for most recipes. Use this table for quick reference at any fraction of a cup.
| Amount | Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon | 12.5g | 0.44 oz |
| ¼ cup | 50g | 1.76 oz |
| ⅓ cup | 67g | 2.36 oz |
| ½ cup | 100g | 3.53 oz |
| ⅔ cup | 133g | 4.69 oz |
| ¾ cup | 150g | 5.29 oz |
| 1 cup | 200g | 7.05 oz |
| 1½ cups | 300g | 10.58 oz |
| 2 cups | 400g | 14.1 oz |
Brown Sugar — Packed vs Unpacked
Brown sugar measurements assume the sugar is packed into the cup — pressed firmly until it holds the shape of the cup when turned out. This is the standard for most recipes. Loosely spooned brown sugar weighs about 15–20% less.
| Amount | Light brown (packed) | Dark brown (packed) |
|---|---|---|
| ¼ cup | 53g | 55g |
| ⅓ cup | 71g | 73g |
| ½ cup | 107g | 110g |
| ¾ cup | 160g | 165g |
| 1 cup | 213g | 220g |
If a recipe doesn't specify light or dark brown sugar, use light. Dark brown sugar has more molasses and a stronger flavor — it works well in gingerbread, BBQ sauce, and dense chocolate cakes.
Powdered Sugar — Why It Weighs So Much Less
Powdered sugar (also called icing sugar or confectioners' sugar) weighs significantly less than granulated because of the fine particle size and added cornstarch. When sifted, it weighs about 120g per cup. When spooned in without sifting, closer to 130g.
| Amount | Sifted | Unsifted |
|---|---|---|
| ¼ cup | 30g | 33g |
| ½ cup | 60g | 65g |
| 1 cup | 120g | 130g |
| 2 cups | 240g | 260g |
For frosting and glazes, sift powdered sugar before measuring to avoid lumps and get a more accurate weight.
Why Cup Measurements for Sugar Vary
Sugar is measured by volume (cups) but weighs different amounts depending on crystal size and density. Granulated white sugar has a uniform medium crystal size. Caster sugar has finer crystals that pack slightly more tightly, but weighs the same per cup because the density difference is negligible. Brown sugar's higher moisture and molasses content adds weight. Powdered sugar's fine powder and air pockets make it much lighter per cup.
For consistent baking results — especially for cookies, cakes, and pastries — weighing sugar on a kitchen scale is always more accurate than measuring by cup.
Sugar Substitution Weights
If you're substituting one sugar for another, the gram weight is what matters, not the cup measurement. A cup of coconut sugar (180g) is not the same as a cup of granulated sugar (200g) — the cup volumes are equal but the weights differ.
| To replace 1 cup granulated (200g) | Use this weight | Approx cups |
|---|---|---|
| Coconut sugar | 200g | 1 cup + 2 tbsp |
| Raw/turbinado sugar | 200g | 1 cup |
| Light brown sugar (packed) | 200g | Scant 1 cup |
| Caster/superfine sugar | 200g | 1 cup |
Use our Cups to Grams Converter to get precise conversions for any ingredient.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grams is 1 cup of white sugar?
1 cup of granulated white sugar weighs 200 grams. This is the standard weight used by most recipe developers and kitchen scale manufacturers. If you're using a different type of sugar, the weight will vary — see the table above for other sugar types.
Is 200g of sugar the same as 1 cup?
Yes, for granulated white sugar. 200 grams equals 1 cup. For powdered sugar, 200 grams is closer to 1⅔ cups because powdered sugar is much lighter per cup volume.
How many grams in ½ cup of sugar?
Half a cup of granulated white sugar is 100 grams. For brown sugar (packed), ½ cup is about 107 grams. For powdered sugar, ½ cup is approximately 60 grams sifted.
Does the type of sugar affect how much I use in a recipe?
When substituting by weight, use the same gram amount. When substituting by cup, be aware that cup measurements don't account for density differences. Weighing sugar is always more accurate for baking. Flavor and moisture will also differ — brown sugar adds molasses flavor and moisture, coconut sugar has a slightly caramel taste.
Why does my brown sugar weigh more than granulated in a recipe?
Brown sugar is measured packed, meaning it's compressed into the cup. This means more sugar fits per cup compared to granulated, which is measured loosely. Packed light brown sugar (213g/cup) weighs about 6% more than granulated (200g/cup).