Cups to Grams: Powdered Sugar
1 cup of powdered sugar is about 113 grams. Enter any amount to convert it.
How many grams are in a cup of powdered sugar?
One US cup of powdered sugar weighs about 113 grams (4.0 ounces). Half a cup is about 56 g, and one tablespoon is about 7.1 g.
Powdered (confectioners') sugar is very light. Sifting it before measuring lowers the weight per cup, so use the same method the recipe used.
Powdered Sugar conversion chart
| Volume | Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| ¼ cup | 28 g | 1.0 oz |
| ⅓ cup | 38 g | 1.3 oz |
| ½ cup | 56 g | 2.0 oz |
| ⅔ cup | 75 g | 2.7 oz |
| ¾ cup | 85 g | 3.0 oz |
| 1 cup | 113 g | 4.0 oz |
| 1½ cups | 170 g | 6.0 oz |
| 2 cups | 226 g | 8.0 oz |
| 1 tablespoon | 7.1 g | 0.2 oz |
| 1 teaspoon | 2.4 g | 0.1 oz |
Measuring powdered sugar: sifted versus unsifted
Powdered sugar (confectioners' or icing sugar) is granulated sugar ground to a fine dust with about 3 percent cornstarch added to stop it caking. It is very light, about 113 g per cup, and it clumps in the bag, which is why sifting is such a common step. A packed or scooped cup can weigh noticeably more than a sifted one.
Sift first if the recipe says "1 cup sifted powdered sugar", and sift after measuring if it says "1 cup powdered sugar, sifted". Weighing sidesteps the question entirely, and glazes and frostings, where texture depends on the exact ratio, are the recipes where it pays off most.
Frosting, glaze and homemade powdered sugar
A 1-pound box of powdered sugar holds about 4 cups. For American buttercream, a common starting point is roughly 1.5 to 2 parts powdered sugar to 1 part butter by weight, for example 340 to 450 g of sugar for 227 g (1 cup) of butter. Add milk a teaspoon at a time to loosen it. A simple glaze is 1 cup (113 g) of powdered sugar with 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk or juice.
In a pinch, you can blend granulated sugar with a spoonful of cornstarch in a high-speed blender until powdery. It will feel a little gritty compared with store-bought, so use it for dusting or rustic frostings rather than smooth royal icing. Never substitute powdered sugar for granulated sugar one for one in a cake, because the cornstarch and the volume are both different.
Frequently asked questions
How many cups is 100 grams of powdered sugar?
100 g of powdered sugar is about 0.88 cups.
How many grams is a tablespoon of powdered sugar?
About 7.1 g, based on 113 g per cup and 16 tablespoons per cup.
How many cups is a pound of powdered sugar?
A 1-pound (454 g) box is about 4 cups unsifted.
What is powdered sugar called in the UK?
Icing sugar. It is the same product, though it may not always contain cornstarch.
How many grams is 2 cups of powdered sugar?
About 226 g. Three cups is about 339 g.