Grams to Cups

Granulated Sugar: Weight, Measurement & Baking Guide

The everyday sweetener that dissolves cleanly and gives baked goods structure, color, and tenderness.

1 cup = 198g

Granulated sugar

Measured

spooned level

Category

Sugar

Convert granulated sugar grams to cups

What is granulated sugar?

Granulated sugar is refined from sugar cane or sugar beet into firm, even crystals. In baking it does far more than sweeten: it holds moisture, helps cakes and cookies brown, and creams with butter to trap air for a lighter crumb.

A US cup of granulated sugar weighs about 198 grams. Because the crystals are hard, they don’t compress the way flour does, so cup measurements are fairly consistent — but a kitchen scale is still the most reliable way to get the same result every time.

Measurement profile

Grams per cup
198g
Cup standard
US cup / 240 ml
Ingredient state
granulated, uncompacted
Confidence
High

Data last verified: 2026-08-04

Source observations

Why measurements vary

Crystal size

Superfine sugar's finer crystals fill a cup differently, so a cup of it weighs slightly less than a cup of standard granulated sugar.

Settling and leveling

Shaking compacts crystals, while a loose pour followed by one level stroke keeps the reference consistent.

How to measure granulated sugar

  • Granulated sugar pours and settles fairly consistently, so cup measurements are more reliable than flour.
  • Spoon sugar into the measuring cup and level off the top with a knife for consistent results.
  • Superfine (caster) sugar weighs slightly less per cup than standard granulated sugar in King Arthur's weight chart, so this value is for granulated sugar only.
  • A kitchen scale removes any guesswork when a recipe needs precise sugar amounts.

Types & varieties

Granulated sugar

198g per cup

Standard white sugar for most recipes.

Caster (superfine) sugar

Finer crystals that dissolve faster.

Brown sugar

Packed with molasses for moisture.

Powdered sugar

Ground fine with cornstarch for icings.

Common granulated sugar measurements

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

Cups Grams
¼ cup 50g
⅓ cup 66g
½ cup 99g
1 cup 198g

Common substitutes

Brown sugar

Adds moisture and a caramel note.

Caster sugar

Dissolves faster in delicate batters.

Honey

A liquid sweetener — reduce other liquids to compensate.

Related measurement resources

Convert granulated sugar grams to cups

Convert cups of granulated sugar to grams

Browse related ingredient guides

How ingredient measurements are verified

Frequently asked questions

How many grams are in 1 cup of sugar?

1 US cup of granulated sugar weighs about 198 grams. Because the crystals are firm, sugar packs less than flour, so the number stays consistent.

Do brown and white sugar weigh the same?

No. Brown sugar is pressed with molasses and packs down, so a cup weighs about 220g, while granulated is about 198g.

Can I swap granulated for caster sugar?

Yes, by weight. Caster (superfine) sugar dissolves faster, and a cup of it weighs slightly less than a cup of granulated, so swap gram for gram rather than cup for cup.

Why weigh sugar instead of using cups?

Cups of sugar vary with how the crystals settle. Weighing removes that guesswork and keeps sweetness and browning consistent.