Granulated Sugar
Metric Cup to Gram
US Cup (236ml)
201.1g
Metric Cup (250ml)
212.5g
A US cup (236.59ml) of granulated sugar weighs 201g, while a metric cup (250ml) weighs 213g. That's a 5.7% difference - make sure you know which cup size your recipe uses!
Granulated Sugar — Quick Reference
Common metric cup to gram conversions
| Metric Cup | Gram |
|---|---|
| ¼ cup | 53g |
| ⅓ cup | 71g |
| ½ cup | 106g |
| ⅔ cup | 142g |
| ¾ cup | 159g |
| 1 cup | 213g |
| 1½ cups | 319g |
| 2 cups | 425g |
Based on granulated sugar density of 0.85 g/ml (poured method). Source: USDA FoodData Central.
Understanding Granulated Sugar Conversions
The Math Behind This Conversion
To convert 1 metric cup of granulated sugar to gram, we use the density of granulated sugar (0.85 g/ml). A metric cup contains 250ml, so 1 metric cup equals 250ml. Multiplying by the density: 250ml × 0.85 g/ml = 212.5g.
US vs Metric Cups: Why It Matters
When converting granulated sugar, the cup size matters significantly. A US cup (236.6ml) of granulated sugar weighs 201g, while a metric cup (250ml) weighs 213g—a difference of 11g (6%). If you're following a recipe from a different country, using the wrong cup size could affect your results. American recipes use US cups, while recipes from Australia, UK, and most other countries use metric cups.
Measurement Tip
Measure granulated sugar by spooning into your cup and leveling off. Unlike brown sugar, granulated sugar should not be packed—just fill and level for consistent results.
About Our Data
The density value of 0.85 g/ml for granulated sugar is from the USDA FoodData Central database (ID: 169655). This measurement was taken with granulated sugar poured into the measuring cup.