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USDA FoodData Central Density DataPublished: Nov 13, 2026

How Many Grams in a Cup of All-Purpose Flour? (125 g)

1 US legal cup of All-Purpose Flour = 125 grams (4.41 ounces). One tablespoon = 7.81 grams, and one teaspoon = 2.6 grams.

Portion baseline measured as 1 cup according to official USDA laboratory reference testing.

1 US Cup125g4.41 oz
1 Tablespoon7.81g1/16 cup
1 Teaspoon2.6g1/48 cup
Caloric DensityVerifiedPer 100g

All-Purpose Flour: Fractional Cup to Grams Conversion Table

Portion / FractionGrams (g)Ounces (oz)Equivalent Tablespoons
1/8 cup15.6 g0.55 oz2 tbsp
1/4 cup31.3 g1.1 oz4 tbsp
1/3 cup41.7 g1.47 oz5.3 tbsp
1/2 cup62.5 g2.21 oz8 tbsp
2/3 cup83.3 g2.94 oz10.7 tbsp
3/4 cup93.8 g3.31 oz12 tbsp
1 cup125 g4.41 oz16 tbsp
1 1/2 cups187.5 g6.62 oz24 tbsp
2 cups250 g8.82 oz32 tbsp
3 cups375 g13.23 oz48 tbsp
4 cups500 g17.64 oz64 tbsp

Interactive All-Purpose Flour Converter

Type any amount or choose a unit to calculate instant weights and volumes

Quick Cups:
US CupsActive
1
125g / cup
Grams (g)
125
Metric weight
Ounces (oz)
4.41
Imperial mass
Tablespoons
16
7.81g / tbsp
Teaspoons
48.1
2.6g / tsp
Volume (mL)
240
Liquid equivalent
Recipe Batch Multiplier Slider1x Scale
Scaled Cups1 cup
Scaled Weight125 g
Ounces4.41 oz

Why the Weight of All-Purpose Flour Varies in Baking

All-Purpose Flour contains fine milled grain particles that settle and compact significantly during transit and storage. Ambient humidity also causes dry flour to absorb airborne moisture, increasing its weight without expanding volume. Spooning vs. direct cup scooping creates the largest real-world weight difference.

Flours & Grains Measuring Technique

Aerate flour with a spoon or whisk, spoon gently into the measuring cup without packing, and level with a straight edge.

Atmospheric Altitude Context

At 5280 ft elevation, lower atmospheric pressure accelerates moisture evaporation. Ensure All-Purpose Flour is measured strictly by weight (125g/cup) rather than volume scoop to prevent baking inconsistencies.

International Cup Size Weights for All-Purpose Flour

Standard cup volumes vary between countries. If following a UK, Australian, or Canadian recipe, use these computed gram equivalents for All-Purpose Flour:

Standard Cup StandardVolume (mL)Calculated Grams (g)Ounces (oz)Primary Geographic Region
US Legal Cup (USDA Standard)240 mL125 g4.41 ozUnited States (FDA nutrition labeling)
US Customary Cup236.6 mL123.2 g4.35 ozUnited States (Standard kitchen measuring sets)
Metric Cup250 mL130.2 g4.59 ozAustralia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, UK
Imperial Cup284.1 mL148 g5.22 ozTraditional British & Commonwealth recipes (1/2 pint)

Frequently Asked Questions About All-Purpose Flour

Why does a cup of All-Purpose Flour weigh different amounts?

All-Purpose Flour settles and packs tightly in the bag during shipping. Scooping directly with a measuring cup compresses the particles, cramming up to 140–150 grams into the cup. In contrast, fluffing with a fork and spooning gently into the cup yields the standard benchmark of approximately 125 grams. Weighing with a digital kitchen scale eliminates this volume variation entirely.

Should I sift All-Purpose Flour before or after measuring?

Pay close attention to the recipe phrasing: "1 cup All-Purpose Flour, sifted" means measure 1 cup first, then sift it into your mixing bowl. "1 cup sifted All-Purpose Flour" means sift the flour into a mound first, then gently spoon 1 cup from that aerated mound. When measuring by weight on a gram scale, sifting timing has zero effect on the total flour mass.

How many grams of All-Purpose Flour are in one tablespoon?

One level US tablespoon of All-Purpose Flour weighs approximately 7.81 grams, and one level teaspoon weighs 2.6 grams. There are 16 tablespoons in 1 standard US cup (125g).

Can I swap All-Purpose Flour 1:1 by volume with all-purpose flour?

No. Different flours vary widely in protein content, fiber absorption, and bulk density. Substituting by volume (cups) alters batter hydration and gluten development. Always substitute alternative flours by weight in grams rather than volume, and monitor whether your dough requires additional liquid.

How does altitude affect measuring All-Purpose Flour?

At higher elevations (3,000+ ft), dry atmospheric pressure accelerates moisture evaporation from dry pantry goods, making All-Purpose Flour drier and prone to packing denser per scoop. Weighing strictly to 125 grams per cup prevents adding excessive dry solids to your batter.

Authoritative Laboratory Citation: USDA SR Legacy

FDC ID: #169761
Official USDA Record Name: Wheat flour, white, all-purpose, unenriched
Portion Defined: 1 cup
Data Provider: USDA FoodData Central
Database Record: USDA SR Legacy
Second-Source Benchmark (King Arthur Baking):120g/cup (4% variance)

USDA SR Legacy portion reflects standard dip-and-sweep method (125g). King Arthur charts recommend fluffing and spooning into the cup (120g). A digital kitchen scale is strongly recommended for flour.

Government Record Verification:Inspect Official USDA Record (FDC #169761)