How Many Grams in a Tablespoon?
The answer depends on the ingredient. 1 tablespoon of flour weighs much less than 1 tablespoon of sugar. Get exact conversions for 20+ baking ingredients.
Quick Reference
Flour (AP)
7.8g
Sugar
12.5g
Butter
14.2g
Tablespoon to Grams by Ingredient
Converting tablespoons to grams requires knowing the specific ingredient because density varies significantly. Here's the complete chart for common baking ingredients:
| Ingredient | 1 Tablespoon | 1 Teaspoon |
|---|---|---|
| All-Purpose Flour | 7.8g | 2.6g |
| Bread Flour | 8.1g | 2.7g |
| Cake Flour | 7.2g | 2.4g |
| Whole Wheat Flour | 7.5g | 2.5g |
| Granulated Sugar | 12.5g | 4.2g |
| Brown Sugar (Packed) | 13.8g | 4.6g |
| Powdered Sugar | 7.5g | 2.5g |
| Butter | 14.2g | 4.7g |
| Cocoa Powder | 5.3g | 1.8g |
| Milk | 15g | 5g |
| Water | 15g | 5g |
| Honey | 21g | 7g |
| Vegetable Oil | 13.8g | 4.6g |
| Rolled Oats | 5.6g | 1.9g |
| White Rice | 11.6g | 3.9g |
| Chopped Nuts | 7.8g | 2.6g |
| Chocolate Chips | 10.6g | 3.5g |
| Baking Powder | 13.8g | 4.6g |
| Baking Soda | 13.8g | 4.6g |
| Salt | 18g | 6g |
* Based on US tablespoon (14.79 mL). Australian tablespoons (20 mL) will hold about 35% more.
Fractional Tablespoon Conversions
| Tablespoon | Grams |
|---|---|
| 1/4 tbsp | 2g |
| 1/2 tbsp | 4g |
| 3/4 tbsp | 6g |
| 1 tbsp | 8g |
| 2 tbsp | 16g |
| 3 tbsp | 23g |
| 4 tbsp | 31g |
| Tablespoon | Grams |
|---|---|
| 1/4 tbsp | 3g |
| 1/2 tbsp | 6g |
| 3/4 tbsp | 9g |
| 1 tbsp | 13g |
| 2 tbsp | 25g |
| 3 tbsp | 38g |
| 4 tbsp | 50g |
Australian tablespoons = 20 mL
US/UK tablespoons = 15 mL (14.79 mL exact)
This means an Australian tablespoon holds about 35% more than a US tablespoon.
If you're following an Australian recipe with US measuring spoons, you'll need to adjust: 1 Australian tablespoon ≈ 1 1/3 US tablespoons.
Most Common Conversions
• 1 tablespoon butter = 14.2 grams
• 1 stick butter = 8 tablespoons = 113 grams
• 1 cup butter = 16 tablespoons = 227 grams
• 1/2 cup butter = 8 tablespoons = 113 grams
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar = 12.5 grams
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (packed) = 13.8 grams
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar = 7.5 grams
• 1 cup sugar = 16 tablespoons = 200 grams
How to Measure Tablespoons Accurately
• Use actual measuring spoons, not regular spoons
• Fill to the rim for liquids
• Level dry ingredients with a knife
• Spray spoon with oil before measuring honey
• Don't pack unless specified (like brown sugar)
• 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons
• 1/2 tablespoon = 1 1/2 teaspoons
• 1/4 tablespoon = 3/4 teaspoon
If you don't have a tablespoon, use 3 level teaspoons for the same amount.
Why Small Measurements Matter
When a recipe calls for "1 tablespoon of baking powder," getting the measurement right is critical. Too much can make your baked goods taste metallic; too little and they won't rise properly.
1 tablespoon baking powder = 13.8 grams
For ingredients like leavening agents, spices, and salt, precision matters even more than with flour and sugar. Consider using a small digital scale for these ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour equals 7.8 grams. This assumes the flour is measured using a proper measuring spoon and leveled off. If you scoop directly from the bag, you may get 9-10 grams due to packing.
A US tablespoon is approximately 15 mL (14.79 mL exactly). The gram weight depends on the ingredient: water weighs 15g per tablespoon, while flour weighs about 7.8g and sugar weighs about 12.5g.
100 grams of all-purpose flour equals approximately 12.8 tablespoons (or about 12 tablespoons + 2 1/2 teaspoons). Since 1 tablespoon of flour = 7.8g, divide 100 by 7.8 to get the conversion.
1 tablespoon of granulated sugar equals 12.5 grams. Brown sugar (packed) is slightly heavier at 13.8 grams per tablespoon, while powdered sugar is lighter at 7.5 grams per tablespoon.