1 cup is approximately 236.588 grams.
This conversion is based on the fact that 1 US cup equals 236.588 milliliters, and since grams measure mass, the density of the substance affects the exact conversion. Here, we use water’s density where 1 milliliter equals 1 gram to get the result.
Conversion Tool
Result in grams:
Conversion Formula
The formula for converting cups to grams depends on the density of the ingredient, but for water and similar liquids, the basic formula is:
grams = cups × 236.588
This works because 1 cup is defined as 236.588 milliliters, and 1 milliliter of water has a mass of approximately 1 gram. So multiplying cups by 236.588 gives grams directly.
For example, converting 1 cup to grams:
- Start with 1 cup
- Multiply by 236.588 (the milliliters in 1 cup)
- 1 × 236.588 = 236.588 grams
This formula assumes the substance has the density of water, if the ingredient is denser or lighter, the conversion changes.
Conversion Example
- 2 cups to grams:
- Take 2 cups
- Multiply by 236.588
- 2 × 236.588 = 473.176 grams
- 0.5 cups to grams:
- Start with 0.5 cups
- Multiply by 236.588
- 0.5 × 236.588 = 118.294 grams
- 3.25 cups to grams:
- Use 3.25 cups
- Multiply by 236.588
- 3.25 × 236.588 = 768.911 grams
- 0.75 cups to grams:
- Start from 0.75 cups
- Multiply by 236.588
- 0.75 × 236.588 = 177.441 grams
Conversion Chart
The table below shows values from -24.0 cups to 26.0 cups converted to grams. Negative values might represent subtraction or measurement adjustments.
| Cups | Grams |
|---|---|
| -24.0 | -5678.112 |
| -20.0 | -4731.760 |
| -16.0 | -3785.408 |
| -12.0 | -2839.056 |
| -8.0 | -1892.704 |
| -4.0 | -946.352 |
| 0.0 | 0.000 |
| 4.0 | 946.352 |
| 8.0 | 1892.704 |
| 12.0 | 2839.056 |
| 16.0 | 3785.408 |
| 20.0 | 4731.760 |
| 24.0 | 5678.112 |
| 26.0 | 6151.288 |
To use the chart, locate the cup value in the left column and read across to find the equivalent grams in the right column. If your value isn’t exact, estimate between the closest rows.
Related Conversion Questions
- How many grams is 1 cup of sugar?
- What is the weight of 1 cup of flour in grams?
- Does 1 cup always equal 236 grams?
- How do I convert 1 cup of oil to grams?
- Is 1 cup of rice the same in grams as 1 cup of water?
- What’s the gram equivalent for 1 cup of chopped vegetables?
- Why does 1 cup of honey weigh more in grams than water?
Conversion Definitions
Cup: A cup is a unit of volume mainly used in cooking, equal to 8 fluid ounces or 236.588 milliliters in the US standard. It measures how much space a substance occupies, not its weight, which means density affects conversions to mass units.
Grams: Grams measure mass, a fundamental unit in the metric system. One gram equals one thousandth of a kilogram and quantifies how heavy an object or substance is, regardless of its volume or shape.
Conversion FAQs
Does the type of ingredient affect the cup to gram conversion?
Yes, because cups measure volume but grams measure weight, different ingredients with different densities will convert differently. For example, 1 cup of flour weighs less than 1 cup of sugar. Using water density works only for liquid or water-like substances.
Can I use the same conversion for all kinds of cups?
No, there are different cup measurements worldwide. The US cup is 236.588 ml, but the UK cup or metric cup differ. Always check which cup standard is being used to get accurate conversions.
Why do some recipes give grams instead of cups?
Grams are more precise for baking and cooking because weight doesn’t vary with ingredient packing. Cups can be inconsistent depending how ingredients are scooped or packed, leading to less accurate measurements.
How accurate is the conversion using 236.588 grams per cup?
It’s only accurate for water or substances with a similar density. For other foods, the actual weight in grams per cup changes. For example, 1 cup of flour is about 120 grams, not 236.588 grams.
Is negative cup value meaningful in conversion?
Negative cup values might represent subtraction or adjustment in recipes, like removing a portion. Mathematically it converts the same way but practically it means reducing quantity rather than measuring negative mass.