Converter
Why powdered sugar needs its own conversion
Powdered Sugar weighs about 120g per cup — quite light and airy compared to many kitchen staples. Unsifted, spooned and leveled. USDA branded products ~120 g/cup; King Arthur's chart implies 113.5 g/cup (lists 'Confectioners' sugar (unsifted) 2 cups = 227 g'). Sifted is lighter (~115 g). CONFLICT — see flag. A cup is a unit of volume, so ingredients this different in density can't share one generic conversion factor — using a single "1 cup = X g" rule for everything will be wrong for at least some of what you cook.
Common measurement mistakes
- Using a generic cup-to-gram factor for every ingredient — powdered sugar does not weigh the same per cup as most other ingredients.
- Measurement note: Unsifted, spooned and leveled. USDA branded products ~120 g/cup; King Arthur's chart implies 113.5 g/cup (lists 'Confectioners' sugar (unsifted) 2 cups = 227 g'). Sifted is lighter (~115 g). CONFLICT — see flag.
- Confusing weight ounces with fluid ounces when a recipe lists "oz" — they are not interchangeable.
Frequently asked questions
How many grams are in a cup of powdered sugar?
About 120g, unsifted, spooned and leveled. USDA branded products ~120 g/cup; King Arthur's chart implies 113.5 g/cup (lists 'Confectioners' sugar (unsifted) 2 cups = 227 g'). Sifted is lighter (~115 g). CONFLICT — see flag.
Does this conversion work for every brand or variety of powdered sugar?
It’s a close approximation based on USDA FoodData Central. Minor variations in moisture, grain, or brand can shift the exact weight slightly, but this figure works well for everyday cooking and baking.