Grams to Cups

Butter: Form, Weight & Baking Guide

The rich fat behind flaky pastry, tender cakes, and golden cookies.

1 cup = 227g

Butter

Measured

packed into cup

Category

Fat

Convert butter grams to cups

What is butter?

In the US, butter must contain at least 80% milk fat by weight (21 U.S.C. § 321a); most of the rest is water, with a little milk solid. That mix is what makes it so useful in baking. Solid and cold, it laminates pastry into flaky layers; soft and creamed with sugar, it traps air for tender cakes; melted, it enriches cookies and quick breads.

A 240 ml reference cup of butter weighs about 227 grams — about two standard US sticks. This calculator uses 15 ml tablespoons and 5 ml teaspoons; the reference cup holds 16 of these tablespoons. Check the spoon standard on packaging before using wrapper marks. For laminated doughs, weighing is the most precise option.

Measurement profile

Grams per cup
227g
Cup standard
US cup / 240 ml
Ingredient state
softened
Confidence
High

Data last verified: 2026-08-04

Source observations

Why measurements vary

Physical state

Cold sticks, softened butter, and melted butter do not fill a volume measure in the same way.

Air pockets and fat content

Gaps in packed soft butter and the higher fat content of some European-style butter can shift a cup weight.

How to measure butter

  • Butter is often sold in sticks in the US, and one stick equals 113g (about half a cup).
  • Soft butter should be packed firmly into the measuring cup to avoid air pockets that skew the weight.
  • Cold butter is harder to measure accurately by volume — let it soften to room temperature first.

Types & varieties

Unsalted butter

227g per cup

The baking standard — control the salt yourself.

Salted butter

Adds salt; reduce the added salt in the recipe.

European-style butter

Higher in fat than standard US butter, for a richer result.

Cultured butter

Tangy flavor from fermented cream.

Common butter measurements

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

Cups Grams
¼ cup 57g
⅓ cup 76g
½ cup 114g
1 cup 227g

Common substitutes

Margarine

Similar volume but different water and fat content.

Coconut oil

Solid at room temperature; changes the flavor.

Shortening

More tender crumb, but less flavor.

Related measurement resources

Convert butter grams to cups

Convert cups of butter to grams

Browse related ingredient guides

How ingredient measurements are verified

Frequently asked questions

How many grams are in 1 cup of butter?

1 US cup of butter weighs about 227 grams. In the US that's 2 sticks.

How many grams is one stick of butter?

One US stick of butter is 1/2 cup, about 114g (4 oz). Two sticks make a 227g cup.

Is salted butter the same weight as unsalted?

Yes. Salted and unsalted butter weigh the same by volume — about 227g per cup. Only the salt content differs, so adjust any added salt.

Can I substitute oil for butter?

Sometimes. Oil keeps cakes moist but can't be creamed for lift, and 1 cup of butter isn't 1 cup of oil by weight — use a tested substitution ratio.