Tablespoons to Grams Converter
Instantly convert tablespoons to grams for flour, sugar, butter, and everyday cooking ingredients with verified USDA reference densities and transparent calculations.
Calculation Details & Source
1 tbsp × 14.7868 ml × 0.528 g/ml = 7.8 g
USDA SR Legacy lists 1 cup unsifted all-purpose flour at 125g.
Why Tablespoons and Grams Are Different
When cooking or baking, it is essential to distinguish between volume and weight (mass). Tablespoons measure volume (how much spatial capacity an ingredient takes up), while grams measure mass (how heavy an ingredient is on a scale).
Because different culinary ingredients have fundamentally different bulk densities, a tablespoon of one ingredient will not weigh the same as a tablespoon of another:
Using a single generic "15 grams per tablespoon" conversion for baking flours or sugars introduces errors of 20% to 50%, which can cause cakes to turn out dense or cookies to spread excessively. That is why our calculator utilizes ingredient-specific densities referenced against the USDA National Nutrient Database.
Common Tablespoons to Grams Conversions (US Standard)
| Ingredient | 1 Tablespoon | 2 Tablespoons | 4 Tablespoons (¼ cup) | 8 Tablespoons (½ cup) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Purpose Flour (spooned & leveled) | 7.8 g | 15.6 g | 31.3 g | 62.5 g |
| Bread Flour | 8.0 g | 16.0 g | 32.0 g | 64.0 g |
| Granulated Sugar | 12.5 g | 25.0 g | 50.0 g | 100.0 g |
| Brown Sugar (packed) | 13.8 g | 27.5 g | 55.0 g | 110.0 g |
| Powdered Sugar (unsifted) | 7.5 g | 15.0 g | 30.0 g | 60.0 g |
| Butter | 14.2 g | 28.4 g | 56.7 g | 113.4 g |
| Cocoa Powder (unsweetened, leveled) | 5.4 g | 10.8 g | 21.5 g | 43.0 g |
| Table Salt | 18.3 g | 36.5 g | 73.0 g | 146.0 g |
For a full list of all 34 ingredients and custom gram measurements, visit our Ingredient Directory or Printable Conversion Charts.
Understanding Tablespoon Standards
Depending on where your recipe was written, the volume of a "tablespoon" can vary substantially:
- United States: 1 US tablespoon is defined as 0.5 US fluid ounces or 14.7868 mL (1/16 of a standard US cup).
- Metric (UK, Canada, New Zealand): 1 metric tablespoon is standardized to exactly 15.0 mL.
- Australia: Australia traditionally uses a larger tablespoon equal to 4 teaspoons or 20.0 mL.
Our calculator lets you select your specific regional standard to eliminate guesswork when using international cookbooks.
How to Use the Calculator
Select Your Ingredient
Search over 30 verified ingredients including flours, sugars, dairy, oils, and leaveners.
Enter Amount & Standard
Type fractions (e.g. ½, 1 1/2) or decimals, and pick US, Metric, or Australian tablespoons.
Get Transparent Results
Instantly copy the result and inspect the exact density, formula, and cited source details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grams is 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour?
One US tablespoon of all-purpose flour (spooned into the spoon and leveled) weighs approximately 7.8 grams. In a Metric tablespoon (15 mL), it weighs approximately 7.9 grams. If the flour is packed or scooped directly from the bag, it can weigh over 9 grams.
How many grams is 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar?
One US tablespoon of granulated white sugar weighs approximately 12.5 grams. In a Metric tablespoon (15 mL), it weighs approximately 12.7 grams.
How many grams is 1 tablespoon of butter?
One US tablespoon of butter weighs approximately 14.2 grams. Since one standard American stick of butter equals 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup), each stick weighs approximately 113.4 grams.
Can I convert in reverse from grams to tablespoons?
Yes. Simply click the "Grams → Tbsp" button at the top of the calculator or navigate to our dedicated Grams to Tablespoons Converter.
Where does your ingredient data come from?
Our data is directly verified against the USDA FoodData Central (Standard Reference Legacy & Foundation Foods) and authoritative test kitchen data from King Arthur Baking. Read our full Calculation Methodology for exact citations and formulas.