Grams to Cups Conversion Guide

Following recipes from different countries often means converting between grams (metric) and cups (US). This guide provides accurate conversions for common baking ingredients, helping you achieve consistent results every time.

Flour Conversions

Sugar Conversions

Butter and Fats

Liquids

Other Common Ingredients

Quick Reference: Grams to Cups

When a recipe gives grams and you need cups:

100g Equals Approximately:

250g Equals Approximately:

Tablespoon and Teaspoon Conversions

Tips for Successful Conversions

1. Invest in digital scales: Accuracy to 1g makes all the difference
2. Level your cups: Use a flat knife across the top
3. Don't pack flour: Spoon it in lightly
4. Pack brown sugar: Press it firmly into the cup
5. Check your recipe source: US, UK, and Australian cups differ slightly
6. Print a chart: Keep conversions handy in the kitchen

UK vs US vs Australian Cup Measurements

One of the most common sources of baking confusion is that cup measurements differ between countries. A US cup, which most online recipes use, measures 236ml. A UK imperial cup (now largely obsolete in modern recipes) was 284ml, while an Australian cup measures 250ml. This means that a recipe from an Australian cookbook calling for 2 cups of flour requires 500ml worth of flour, but the same instruction from an American recipe needs only 472ml. If you are using a standard measuring cup set purchased in the UK from retailers like John Lewis, Lakeland, or Dunelm, these typically follow the US standard of 236ml, which aligns with most modern recipe books and websites.

The metric system, officially used in the UK since 2000 for trade purposes, is the most accurate way to measure ingredients. Professional bakers and pastry chefs in the UK universally use digital scales for weighing ingredients in grams. The Great British Bake Off, which has inspired millions of home bakers, exclusively uses metric measurements. For home baking, investing in a good set of digital kitchen scales that measures to 1 gram (available from around £8 to £15 at Argos, Amazon, or supermarkets) will give you consistently better results than any cup measurement.

Common UK Baking Ingredient Conversions

These are the most frequently needed conversions for popular British baking recipes, including classic Victoria sponge, scones, shortbread, and Christmas cake. All weights assume the ingredient is measured at room temperature using the spoon-and-level method for cups:

Flour Conversions

• 1 cup plain flour: 125g (4.4oz) - used in most UK cake and pastry recipes
• 1 cup self-raising flour: 125g (4.4oz) - standard for Victoria sponge
• 1 cup bread flour (strong): 130g (4.6oz) - slightly denser, used for bread making
• 1 cup wholemeal flour: 130g (4.6oz) - for brown bread and wholemeal recipes
• 1 cup cornflour: 120g (4.2oz) - for thickening sauces and gravies

Sugar Conversions

• 1 cup caster sugar: 200g (7oz) - the standard for most UK baking
• 1 cup granulated sugar: 200g (7oz) - for crumbles and general sweetening
• 1 cup light brown sugar (packed): 220g (7.7oz) - for sticky toffee pudding
• 1 cup demerara sugar: 220g (7.7oz) - for crumble toppings
• 1 cup icing sugar: 120g (4.2oz) - for buttercream and royal icing

Butter and Fat Conversions

• 1 cup butter: 227g (8oz) or 2 standard UK butter blocks - UK butter blocks are typically 250g
• 1 cup vegetable oil: 220ml - for oil-based cakes and dressings
• 1 cup lard: 205g (7.2oz) - for traditional pastry and pork pies

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do American recipes use cups instead of grams?

The United States never fully adopted the metric system, so American home cooking traditionally uses volume measurements (cups, tablespoons, teaspoons) rather than weight. While this is convenient for quick measuring, it is less precise because different ingredients have different densities. Professional American bakers, like their UK counterparts, typically use weight measurements for consistency. When converting American recipes, always use a reliable grams-to-cups chart specific to each ingredient rather than assuming a universal conversion.

Can I use a mug instead of a measuring cup?

A standard UK mug holds approximately 300-350ml, which is significantly more than a US cup (236ml) or a metric cup (250ml). Using a mug will result in too much of each ingredient and likely ruin your recipe. However, if a recipe uses the same vessel for all measurements (such as "2 mugs flour, 1 mug sugar"), the ratios remain correct regardless of the vessel size. This technique works for simple recipes like basic cake batters but is not suitable for precision baking like macarons or pastry.

How do I convert cups to millilitres for liquids?

For liquid ingredients, 1 US cup equals 236ml, 1 metric cup equals 250ml, and 1 UK imperial cup equals 284ml. Liquid conversions are simpler than dry ingredients because liquids have consistent density regardless of how they are poured. For water, milk, juice, and other thin liquids, 1 US cup weighs approximately 236 grams. For thicker liquids like honey (340g per cup) or golden syrup (350g per cup), the weight differs significantly from the volume measurement.

What measuring cups should I buy in the UK?

In the UK, measuring cup sets are widely available from kitchenware retailers including Lakeland, John Lewis, Wilko, and Amazon. Most follow the US cup standard (236ml). Look for stainless steel sets with 1 cup, ½ cup, ⅓ cup, and ¼ cup measures. For the best accuracy, pair these with a set of measuring spoons (1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, ½ teaspoon, ¼ teaspoon). Budget approximately £5-£15 for a quality set that will last years.

Emma Thompson

Senior Content Editor

Emma is a senior content editor with a background in financial journalism. She specialises in making UK regulations and calculator tools understandable for consumers, working closely with qualified professionals to ensure accuracy.