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USDA FoodData Central Density DataPublished: Nov 13, 2026

How Many Grams in a Cup of Whole Wheat Flour? (120 g)

1 US legal cup of Whole Wheat Flour = 120 grams (4.23 ounces). One tablespoon = 7.5 grams, and one teaspoon = 2.5 grams.

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

1 US Cup120g4.23 oz
1 Tablespoon7.5g1/16 cup
1 Teaspoon2.5g1/48 cup
Caloric DensityVerifiedPer 100g

Whole Wheat Flour: Fractional Cup to Grams Conversion Table

Portion / FractionGrams (g)Ounces (oz)Equivalent Tablespoons
1/8 cup15 g0.53 oz2 tbsp
1/4 cup30 g1.06 oz4 tbsp
1/3 cup40 g1.41 oz5.3 tbsp
1/2 cup60 g2.12 oz8 tbsp
2/3 cup80 g2.82 oz10.7 tbsp
3/4 cup90 g3.17 oz12 tbsp
1 cup120 g4.23 oz16 tbsp
1 1/2 cups180 g6.35 oz24 tbsp
2 cups240 g8.46 oz32 tbsp
3 cups360 g12.69 oz48 tbsp
4 cups480 g16.92 oz64 tbsp

Interactive Whole Wheat Flour Converter

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

Quick Cups:
US CupsActive
1
120g / cup
Grams (g)
120
Metric weight
Ounces (oz)
4.23
Imperial mass
Tablespoons
16
7.5g / tbsp
Teaspoons
48
2.5g / tsp
Volume (mL)
240
Liquid equivalent
Recipe Batch Multiplier Slider1x Scale
Scaled Cups1 cup
Scaled Weight120 g
Ounces4.23 oz

Why the Weight of Whole Wheat Flour Varies in Baking

Whole Wheat 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

Contains coarse bran flakes. Whisk to aerate, spoon lightly into the measuring cup, and level flat.

Atmospheric Altitude Context

At 5280 ft elevation, lower atmospheric pressure accelerates moisture evaporation. Ensure Whole Wheat Flour is measured strictly by weight (120g/cup) rather than volume scoop to prevent baking inconsistencies.

International Cup Size Weights for Whole Wheat Flour

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

Standard Cup StandardVolume (mL)Calculated Grams (g)Ounces (oz)Primary Geographic Region
US Legal Cup (USDA Standard)240 mL120 g4.23 ozUnited States (FDA nutrition labeling)
US Customary Cup236.6 mL118.3 g4.17 ozUnited States (Standard kitchen measuring sets)
Metric Cup250 mL125 g4.41 ozAustralia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, UK
Imperial Cup284.1 mL142.1 g5.01 ozTraditional British & Commonwealth recipes (1/2 pint)

Frequently Asked Questions About Whole Wheat Flour

Why does a cup of Whole Wheat Flour weigh different amounts?

Whole Wheat 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 120 grams. Weighing with a digital kitchen scale eliminates this volume variation entirely.

Should I sift Whole Wheat Flour before or after measuring?

Pay close attention to the recipe phrasing: "1 cup Whole Wheat Flour, sifted" means measure 1 cup first, then sift it into your mixing bowl. "1 cup sifted Whole Wheat 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 Whole Wheat Flour are in one tablespoon?

One level US tablespoon of Whole Wheat Flour weighs approximately 7.5 grams, and one level teaspoon weighs 2.5 grams. There are 16 tablespoons in 1 standard US cup (120g).

Can I swap Whole Wheat 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 Whole Wheat Flour?

At higher elevations (3,000+ ft), dry atmospheric pressure accelerates moisture evaporation from dry pantry goods, making Whole Wheat Flour drier and prone to packing denser per scoop. Weighing strictly to 120 grams per cup prevents adding excessive dry solids to your batter.

Authoritative Laboratory Citation: USDA SR Legacy

FDC ID: #169748
Official USDA Record Name: Wheat flour, whole-grain
Portion Defined: 1 cup
Data Provider: USDA FoodData Central
Database Record: USDA SR Legacy
Second-Source Benchmark (King Arthur Baking):113g/cup (5.8% variance)

Whole wheat retains the dense fibrous bran and germ. USDA lists 120g per standard cup; King Arthur lists 113g spooned.

Government Record Verification:Inspect Official USDA Record (FDC #169748)