Brown Sugar: Packing, Weight & Baking Guide

Molasses-rich sugar that brings moisture, chew, and caramel notes to cookies and bakes.

1 cup = 220g

Brown sugar (packed)

Measured

firmly packed

What is brown sugar (packed)?

Brown sugar is granulated sugar with molasses added back in, which gives it moisture, a soft clumpy texture, and a caramel flavor. That moisture makes it stick together, so recipes call for it “packed” — pressed firmly into the cup — and a packed cup weighs about 220 grams.

It adds chew and depth to cookies, blondies, sauces, and glazes, and keeps baked goods soft. Because loose and packed cups differ by a lot, weighing removes the guesswork — 1 US cup packed is about 220g.

Measurement profile

Grams per cup: 220g
Cup standard: US cup / 240 ml
Ingredient state: packed
Confidence: Medium

Data last verified: August 4, 2026

Source observations

USDA FoodData Central — Sugars, brown (FDC 168833)220 g/1 source cup, packed (exact volume unknown) · firmly packed
King Arthur Baking — Ingredient Weight Chart213 g/1 source cup, packed (exact volume unknown) · firmly packed (dark or light)

Why measurements vary

Packing pressure

A firmly packed cup contains much more sugar than a loose fill and should hold its shape when turned out.

Moisture and hardening

Air exposure dries and hardens brown sugar, changing how evenly it can be packed into a cup.

How to measure brown sugar (packed)

firmly packed

Brown sugar must be firmly packed into the measuring cup — packed versus loose can change the weight by a large margin.
It should hold the shape of the cup when turned out, which confirms it was packed correctly.
Light and dark brown sugar have nearly the same density, since the difference is mostly molasses color and flavor, not weight.
Brown sugar hardens when exposed to air, so measure it soon after opening for a more consistent result.

Types & varieties

Light brown sugar (packed)

220g per cup

Mild molasses flavor; the everyday choice.

Dark brown sugar (packed)

More molasses for deeper flavor and color.

Muscovado (packed)

Unrefined, moist, and intensely molasses-rich.

Loosely packed brown sugar

Not pressed down — much lighter, which is why recipes say "packed."

Common brown sugar (packed) measurements

These limited reference values are derived from the canonical cup weight. Use the converter for any other amount.

Cups	Grams
¼ cup	55g
⅓ cup	73.3g
½ cup	110g
1 cup	220g

Common substitutes

Granulated sugar + molasses

Mix 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 tbsp molasses to make light brown sugar.

Coconut sugar

Similar caramel notes; swap 1:1, though it's drier and less fine.

Related measurement resources

Convert brown sugar (packed) grams to cups

Convert cups of brown sugar (packed) to grams

Browse related ingredient guides

How ingredient measurements are verified

Frequently asked questions

How many grams are in 1 cup of packed brown sugar?

1 US cup of packed brown sugar weighs about 220 grams. Recipes assume it's firmly packed, which is why the weight is higher than loose sugar.

Is light or dark brown sugar heavier?

They weigh about the same when packed — around 220 grams per cup. Dark brown just has more molasses, giving deeper flavor and color, not more weight.

Why do recipes say to pack brown sugar?

The molasses makes brown sugar clump and trap air. Pressing it into the cup gives a consistent amount, so "packed" is the standard measure.

How do I make my own brown sugar?

Stir 1 tablespoon of molasses into 1 cup of granulated sugar for light brown, or 2 tablespoons for dark brown.