Powdered Sugar: Cups to Grams
One US cup (240 ml) of powdered sugar weighs about 120 grams, based on its typical kitchen density. Convert any amount below, or use the reference table for common cup fractions.
1 cup=120 g
Based on powdered sugar at 120 g per US cup.
Powdered Sugar conversion table
| Cups | Grams | Millilitres | Tablespoons | Ounces |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 cup | 30 g | 60 ml | 4 tbsp | 1.06 oz |
| 1/3 cup | 40 g | 80 ml | 5.33 tbsp | 1.41 oz |
| 1/2 cup | 60 g | 120 ml | 8 tbsp | 2.12 oz |
| 2/3 cup | 80 g | 160 ml | 10.7 tbsp | 2.82 oz |
| 3/4 cup | 90 g | 180 ml | 12 tbsp | 3.17 oz |
| 1 cup | 120 g | 240 ml | 16 tbsp | 4.23 oz |
| 1 1/2 cups | 180 g | 360 ml | 24 tbsp | 6.35 oz |
| 2 cups | 240 g | 480 ml | 32 tbsp | 8.47 oz |
| 2 1/2 cups | 300 g | 600 ml | 40 tbsp | 10.6 oz |
| 3 cups | 360 g | 720 ml | 48 tbsp | 12.7 oz |
In grams, 1/4 cup of powdered sugar is about 30 g, 1/3 cup is about 40 g, 1/2 cup is about 60 g, 2/3 cup is about 80 g, 3/4 cup is about 90 g, 1 cup is about 120 g, 1 1/2 cups is about 180 g, 2 cups is about 240 g and 3 cups is about 360 g.
A tablespoon of powdered sugar is about 7.5 grams, and a teaspoon is about 2.5 grams.
About measuring powdered sugar
Powdered sugar, also called icing or confectioners sugar, is granulated sugar ground to a fine powder with a little cornstarch added to stop it caking. It is light and full of air, so one US cup weighs only about 120 grams, far less than granulated. It also lumps easily, which makes volume measures unreliable for icings and glazes where the sugar-to-liquid ratio is everything. Sift and weigh for smooth results.
Sift powdered sugar before measuring. Lumps make a scooped cup wildly inconsistent.
Frequently asked questions
How many grams is 1 cup of powdered sugar?
One US cup of powdered (icing) sugar is about 120 grams. It is very light and airy, so it weighs much less than granulated sugar.
Is powdered sugar the same as icing sugar?
Yes. Powdered sugar, icing sugar and confectioners sugar are the same thing: finely ground sugar, usually with a little cornstarch to prevent caking.
Why weigh powdered sugar for icing?
Icings depend on the exact ratio of sugar to liquid. Because lumpy powdered sugar packs unevenly, weighing to 120 grams per cup gives a far more reliable glaze.