Pounds to Cups Converter
Translate ingredient weights in pounds into cups, tablespoons, and teaspoons instantly.
Spoon-and-level flour.
Cups
3.629
Tablespoons
58.1
Teaspoons
174.2
Grams
454
How to Use This Calculator
Enter the weight in pounds
Use decimals for partial pounds. The tool handles up to three decimal places.
Select your ingredient
Each ingredient has a unique grams-per-cup density. Pick the closest match for accuracy.
Use the converted volume
Check cups, tablespoons, and teaspoons to measure with familiar kitchen tools.
Formula
grams = pounds × 453.59237
cups = grams ÷ gramsPerCup
tablespoons = cups × 16 · teaspoons = tablespoons × 3
Example: 1 lb granulated sugar → 453.6 g ÷ 200 = 2.27 cups → 36.3 tbsp → 108.9 tsp.
Tip: Flour can vary ±5% depending on humidity; weigh for maximum precision.
Full Description
Large-batch recipes and grocery packages often list ingredients by weight. This converter helps you determine how many cups or spoons of an ingredient you have when you only know the pound measurement.
The densities are pulled from culinary references and validated in test kitchens. They reflect typical home measuring techniques so the volume conversions match what you'd scoop from your pantry containers.
Helpful scenarios
- Breaking down bulk ingredient purchases for smaller recipes.
- Converting nutrition labels from pounds to household measurements.
- Scaling bakery formulas for home ovens.
- Comparing ingredient costs by weight versus volume.
For best results, fluff dry ingredients before measuring and level off cups. Liquid measuring cups provide more accurate results for oils and water-based ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does brown sugar weigh more per cup?
Brown sugar includes molasses and is packed tightly, so each cup contains more mass than loose ingredients like flour.
Can I convert cups back to pounds?
Yes. Multiply cups by grams-per-cup, then divide by 453.59237 to get pounds.
Does sifted flour weigh the same as scooped flour?
No. Sifted flour is lighter. The provided value reflects spoon-and-level scooped flour commonly used in recipes.
How accurate are these conversions?
They align with culinary school references. For mission-critical baking, weigh ingredients directly with a scale.