Vegetable Oil (Soybean): Types, Density & Measuring Guide

A neutral refined liquid fat for cakes, quick breads, frying, and dressings.

1 cup = 218g

Vegetable oil (soybean)

Measured

poured into a liquid measuring cup at room temperature

What is vegetable oil (soybean)?

Vegetable oil is a market category rather than one chemically identical ingredient. Refined soybean oil is neutral in flavor and commonly used for moist cakes, quick breads, dressings, and frying; unlike softened butter, it remains liquid and does not aerate through creaming.

Store it sealed away from heat and light. This record uses refined liquid soybean oil: pour it into a liquid measuring cup at room temperature and read at eye level. The adopted value is about 218 grams per US cup.

Measurement profile

Grams per cup: 218g
Cup standard: US cup / 240 ml
Ingredient state: refined soybean oil, liquid
Confidence: Medium

Data last verified: August 5, 2026

Source observations

USDA FoodData Central — Oil, soybean, salad or cooking (FDC 171411)218 g/1 source cup (exact volume unknown) · liquid household cup
King Arthur Baking — Ingredient Weight Chart198 g/1 source cup (exact volume unknown) · poured liquid; subtype not specified

Why measurements vary

Oil type

Soybean, canola, corn, sunflower, and blended products are sold under the same category name but differ in composition.

Temperature and transfer

Warming changes volume slightly, while oil left on another container creates practical transfer loss.

How to measure vegetable oil (soybean)

poured into a liquid measuring cup at room temperature

Vegetable oil is a category, not one substance; this record specifically uses refined soybean oil.
Measure it as a liquid at eye level and avoid retaining oil on another container during transfer.
Canola, corn, sunflower, and blended oils are close but not guaranteed to match exactly.

Types & varieties

Refined soybean oil

218g per cup

The specific oil used by this measurement record.

Canola or blended vegetable oil

Usually close, but not guaranteed to have the same density.

Common vegetable oil (soybean) measurements

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

Cups	Grams
¼ cup	54.5g
⅓ cup	72.7g
½ cup	109g
1 cup	218g

Common substitutes

Olive oil

Similar function with a more noticeable flavor and a separate density.

Related measurement resources

Convert vegetable oil (soybean) grams to cups

Convert cups of vegetable oil (soybean) to grams

Browse related ingredient guides

How ingredient measurements are verified

Frequently asked questions

How many grams are in 1 cup of vegetable oil?

For refined soybean oil, the adopted reference is about 218 grams per US cup.

Does every vegetable oil weigh the same?

No. “Vegetable oil” can mean soybean, canola, corn, sunflower, or a blend, so this page states the soybean subtype explicitly.

What does vegetable oil do in baking?

Liquid oil coats flour and helps cakes and quick breads stay tender and moist. It does not cream with sugar to trap air the way softened butter can.

How should vegetable oil be stored?

Keep it tightly closed in a cool, dark cupboard. Heat and light accelerate oxidation and create stale flavors.