How to convert pounds to cups
Pounds measure weight and cups measure volume, so the answer depends on the ingredient's density. For example, 1 pound of all-purpose flour is 3 ⅜ (3.43) cup with metric cups, but 1 pound of sugar is 2 ⅛ (2.15) cup.
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.
Pounds to cups chart
1 pound of each ingredient in cups:
| Ingredient | Metric / India | US |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 1.81 cup | 1 ⅞ (1.92) cup |
| Milk | 1 ¾ (1.76) cup | 1 ⅞ (1.86) cup |
| Vegetable / cooking oil | 1.97 cup | 2 ⅛ (2.08) cup |
| Cream (heavy / whipping) | 1 ¾ (1.8) cup | 1 ⅞ (1.91) cup |
| Condensed milk (sweetened) | 1 ⅜ (1.4) cup | 1 ½ (1.48) cup |
| Honey | 1 ¼ (1.26) cup | 1 ⅓ (1.33) cup |
| Maple syrup | 1 ⅜ (1.36) cup | 1.44 cup |
| All-purpose flour (maida) | 3 ⅜ (3.43) cup | 3 ⅝ (3.63) cup |
| Whole wheat flour (atta) | 3 ⅝ (3.58) cup | 3 ¾ (3.78) cup |
| Bread flour | 3 ⅜ (3.38) cup | 3 ⅝ (3.57) cup |
| Gram flour (besan) | 4 ⅔ (4.67) cup | 4 ⅞ (4.93) cup |
| Semolina (sooji / rava) | 2 ⅝ (2.57) cup | 2 ¾ (2.72) cup |
| Rice flour | 2 ¾ (2.72) cup | 2 ⅞ (2.87) cup |
| Cornflour / cornstarch | 3 ⅓ (3.35) cup | 3 ½ (3.54) cup |
| Almond flour | 4 ½ (4.47) cup | 4 ¾ (4.72) cup |
| Rolled oats | 4 ¾ (4.77) cup | 5.04 cup |
| Rice, uncooked (basmati / white) | 2 ⅓ (2.32) cup | 2 ½ (2.45) cup |
| Lentils / dal, uncooked | 2 ¼ (2.24) cup | 2 ⅜ (2.36) cup |
| Sugar (granulated) | 2 ⅛ (2.15) cup | 2 ¼ (2.27) cup |
| Brown sugar (packed) | 2.02 cup | 2 ⅛ (2.13) cup |
| Powdered / icing sugar | 3 ⅝ (3.58) cup | 3 ¾ (3.78) cup |
| Butter | 1 ⅞ (1.89) cup | 2 cup |
| Ghee (clarified butter) | 1.97 cup | 2 ⅛ (2.08) cup |
| Yogurt / curd (dahi) | 1 ¾ (1.75) cup | 1 ⅞ (1.85) cup |
| Cheese, grated (cheddar) | 3 ¾ (3.8) cup | 4.01 cup |
| Peanut butter | 1 ⅔ (1.66) cup | 1 ¾ (1.76) cup |
| Cocoa powder | 5.05 cup | 5 ⅓ (5.34) cup |
| Baking powder | 1.94 cup | 2.05 cup |
| Baking soda | 1.94 cup | 2.05 cup |
| Dry / instant yeast | 2 ⅞ (2.88) cup | 3.04 cup |
| Salt (table) | 1 ½ (1.47) cup | 1.55 cup |
| Chocolate chips | 2 ½ (2.53) cup | 2 ⅔ (2.67) cup |
| Raisins | 2.96 cup | 3 ⅛ (3.13) cup |
| Walnuts, chopped | 3 ⅔ (3.67) cup | 3 ⅞ (3.88) cup |
| Almonds, whole | 3 cup | 3 ⅛ (3.17) cup |
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 cups are in 1 pound of flour?
About 3 ⅜ (3.43) cup with metric (Indian) cups and spoons, or 3 ⅝ (3.63) cup with US measures.
How many cups are in 1 pound of sugar?
About 2 ⅛ (2.15) cup (metric) or 2 ¼ (2.27) cup (US).