Cups to Pounds Converter
Convert volume-based cup measurements to pounds and ounces based on the density of your ingredient.
Standard reference for most liquids at room temperature.
Pounds
1.043 lb
Ounces
16.69 oz
Grams
473 g
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your volume in cups
Type how many cups your recipe calls for. Decimal values are okay for partial cups.
Select the ingredient
Choose the ingredient you're measuring. Each option uses a tested grams-per-cup density.
Review pounds, ounces, and grams
The calculator converts everything instantly so you can weigh ingredients with a scale.
Formula
grams = cups × gramsPerCup
pounds = grams ÷ 453.59237
ounces = pounds × 16
Example: 3 cups of all-purpose flour → 3 × 125 g = 375 g → 375 ÷ 453.59237 = 0.827 lb → 13.23 oz.
Why density matters: Each ingredient packs differently. Switching ingredients changes gramsPerCup and the final weight.
Full Description
Measuring by weight removes guesswork caused by scooping methods, humidity, or ingredient settling. This converter bridges the gap between volume-based recipes and digital kitchen scales by providing realistic cups-to-pounds conversions for popular ingredients.
The densities are based on common culinary references and reflect typical home measuring techniques. Use the tool when you scale recipes, swap ingredients, or translate international cookbooks that rely on grams or ounces.
When this is useful
- Converting a U.S. cup-based recipe to metric weights.
- Preparing large batches where consistency is critical.
- Comparing ingredient costs by weight instead of volume.
- Improving accuracy for bread, pastry, and confectionary recipes.
For the highest precision, fluff or sift dry ingredients before measuring cups and use the tare function on your scale. If an ingredient isn't listed, pick the closest match or weigh a single cup to create your own grams-per-cup value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do different sources list different weights per cup?
Measuring technique, ingredient brand, and humidity all affect how densely ingredients pack into a cup. The values here are averaged from mainstream culinary references for reliable home results.
Can I add my own ingredient density?
You can temporarily change the pounds by entering a custom grams-per-cup value. We recommend weighing one cup yourself and multiplying by the number of cups in your recipe.
Is this accurate for liquids?
Water and similar liquids (stock, milk) have nearly identical densities, so the conversion is accurate. Thicker liquids like honey or syrups are heavier per cup, which is why they are included separately.
How do I convert pounds back to cups?
Divide the pounds by the pounds-per-cup value (grams per cup ÷ 453.59237). In practice, you can input pounds into the calculator by converting to grams first, then dividing by the grams-per-cup value.