How to convert cups to pounds
Cups measure volume and pounds measure weight, so the answer depends on the ingredient's density. For example, 1 cup of all-purpose flour is 0.291 lb with metric cups, but 1 cup of sugar is 0.466 lb.
Cup and spoon sizes differ by country. A metric cup (used in India, the UK, Australia and New Zealand) is 250 mL; a US cup is 236.6 mL, about 5% smaller. Tablespoons are 15 mL (metric), 14.8 mL (US) or 20 mL (Australia), and teaspoons are 5 mL everywhere except the US (4.93 mL). Pick your system with the buttons at the top of the converter.
Cups to pounds chart
1 cup of each ingredient in pounds:
| Ingredient | Metric / India | US |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 0.551 lb | 0.522 lb |
| Milk | 0.568 lb | 0.538 lb |
| Vegetable / cooking oil | 0.508 lb | 0.481 lb |
| Cream (heavy / whipping) | 0.554 lb | 0.525 lb |
| Condensed milk (sweetened) | 0.713 lb | 0.675 lb |
| Honey | 0.792 lb | 0.75 lb |
| Maple syrup | 0.734 lb | 0.694 lb |
| All-purpose flour (maida) | 0.291 lb | 0.276 lb |
| Whole wheat flour (atta) | 0.28 lb | 0.265 lb |
| Bread flour | 0.296 lb | 0.28 lb |
| Gram flour (besan) | 0.214 lb | 0.203 lb |
| Semolina (sooji / rava) | 0.389 lb | 0.368 lb |
| Rice flour | 0.368 lb | 0.348 lb |
| Cornflour / cornstarch | 0.298 lb | 0.282 lb |
| Almond flour | 0.224 lb | 0.212 lb |
| Rolled oats | 0.21 lb | 0.198 lb |
| Rice, uncooked (basmati / white) | 0.431 lb | 0.408 lb |
| Lentils / dal, uncooked | 0.447 lb | 0.423 lb |
| Sugar (granulated) | 0.466 lb | 0.441 lb |
| Brown sugar (packed) | 0.496 lb | 0.47 lb |
| Powdered / icing sugar | 0.28 lb | 0.265 lb |
| Butter | 0.529 lb | 0.5 lb |
| Ghee (clarified butter) | 0.508 lb | 0.481 lb |
| Yogurt / curd (dahi) | 0.571 lb | 0.54 lb |
| Cheese, grated (cheddar) | 0.263 lb | 0.249 lb |
| Peanut butter | 0.601 lb | 0.569 lb |
| Cocoa powder | 0.198 lb | 0.187 lb |
| Baking powder | 0.514 lb | 0.487 lb |
| Baking soda | 0.514 lb | 0.487 lb |
| Dry / instant yeast | 0.347 lb | 0.328 lb |
| Salt (table) | 0.68 lb | 0.644 lb |
| Chocolate chips | 0.396 lb | 0.375 lb |
| Raisins | 0.338 lb | 0.32 lb |
| Walnuts, chopped | 0.273 lb | 0.258 lb |
| Almonds, whole | 0.333 lb | 0.315 lb |
How to measure accurately
- Flour, atta, besan: stir it, spoon it lightly into the cup and level it with a knife. Scooping straight from the bag packs in up to 25% more.
- Brown sugar: press it firmly into the cup. Recipes assume “packed”.
- Butter, ghee, honey: weigh if you can. For honey, oil the spoon first so it slides out.
- Liquids: use a clear jug at eye level. For baking, an inexpensive kitchen scale is more accurate than any cup.
Frequently asked questions
How many pounds are in 1 cup of flour?
About 0.291 lb with metric (Indian) cups and spoons, or 0.276 lb with US measures.
How many pounds are in 1 cup of sugar?
About 0.466 lb (metric) or 0.441 lb (US).