How many grams is 2 tablespoons of peanut butter?

November 20, 2025 •

3 min read

According to USDA data, a standard serving of two tablespoons of peanut butter weighs approximately 32 grams. This seemingly small difference between a volumetric and weight measurement can significantly impact nutritional tracking, especially for those managing calorie intake or precision baking.

Quick Summary

This article explains the weight-to-volume conversion for peanut butter, highlighting why measuring by grams is more accurate than tablespoons. It covers nutritional variations, practical measurement techniques, and the importance of precision for dietary goals.

Key Points

Standard Weight: A standard serving of two tablespoons of peanut butter is approximately 32 grams.
Volumetric Inaccuracy: Measuring peanut butter with a tablespoon is inconsistent due to its dense, sticky texture, which can lead to overestimation.
Weighing is Best: For precise dietary tracking or consistent baking results, using a digital kitchen scale to measure peanut butter by weight (grams) is the most reliable method.
Texture Matters Less: The nutritional differences between smooth and crunchy peanut butter are typically negligible compared to variations from added ingredients like sugar or stabilizers.
Easy Method: To measure by weight, simply place a container on a scale, tare it to zero, and scoop out the desired amount of peanut butter.

The Surprising Reality of Volumetric Measurement

For many sticky, dense ingredients like peanut butter, the tablespoon is an unreliable tool for precise measurement. Unlike a liquid, which fills a measuring cup or spoon consistently, peanut butter's dense, clumpy nature means that one person's level scoop could be another's heaping one. This variability is why a standard, level two-tablespoon serving is assigned a specific weight in grams, as confirmed by nutritional data. A serving of two tablespoons is standardized to weigh 32 grams. However, depending on how densely you pack the spoon or whether you use natural or conventional peanut butter, this weight can fluctuate slightly. For any application requiring nutritional accuracy, such as calorie counting, or consistency in baking, switching to a digital kitchen scale is the most dependable method.

Why a Kitchen Scale is Your Best Ally

Using a kitchen scale removes all guesswork from measuring peanut butter. Not only does it provide a precise, repeatable result, but it also makes cleanup easier. Instead of scraping sticky peanut butter from a tablespoon, you can simply place your container on the scale, tare it to zero, and scoop out the exact amount needed. This method is particularly useful for controlling portion sizes, which is crucial given that peanut butter is calorie-dense. A small error in volume measurement can lead to a significant difference in calorie intake over time.

Nutritional Variations: Smooth vs. Crunchy

While the 32-gram standard for two tablespoons holds for most common varieties, subtle nutritional differences can exist between smooth and crunchy peanut butter. These variations are often negligible for casual consumers but can be noteworthy for those with strict dietary considerations. The addition of whole peanut pieces in the crunchy version can slightly alter its fiber and protein content, though not enough to cause a major nutritional divide. The key takeaway is to always check the specific product's nutritional label, as factors like added sugar, salt, and stabilizers will have a greater impact than the texture.

A Simple Guide to Measuring Peanut Butter by Weight

To start measuring by weight, all you need is a reliable digital kitchen scale. Follow these simple steps for perfect accuracy:

Place your bowl on the scale. Make sure the bowl is completely empty.
Press the 'tare' or 'zero' button. This action zeros out the weight of the bowl so the scale will only measure the peanut butter.
Scoop the peanut butter. Add your peanut butter to the bowl until you reach your target weight, which for a standard two-tablespoon serving is 32 grams.
No messy measuring spoons. This method eliminates the need for any sticky, hard-to-clean utensils.

Comparison Table: Measuring Peanut Butter


Measurement Method	Pros	Cons	Best for	Accuracy	Stability	Effort	Ease of Cleaning
Tablespoon	Common & convenient	Inconsistent results, prone to overestimation	Quick, casual spreads	Low	Low	Low	High
Kitchen Scale	Highly accurate, consistent results	Requires a special tool	Strict diets, baking, calorie counting	High	High	Low	Low
Water Displacement	Good for volume measurement with less mess	Can introduce moisture, more steps	Avoiding mess	Medium	Medium	High	Low

Conclusion: The Case for a Scale

While a measuring tablespoon is a convenient tool for many kitchen tasks, when it comes to a dense and sticky substance like peanut butter, it simply falls short on accuracy. For those serious about their dietary intake or baking results, understanding that two tablespoons of peanut butter weigh 32 grams and investing in a digital kitchen scale is a worthwhile move. This simple switch from volume to weight measurement will give you complete control over your portions and nutritional tracking. It allows for consistency in baking recipes and provides peace of mind that you are consuming the amount you intended, whether you are on a strict diet or simply want to stay mindful of your intake. In the end, precision is a powerful tool in the kitchen, and for peanut butter, it begins with a scale.

Optional Outbound Link

For further insights into the benefits of using a scale for accurate cooking and nutritional tracking, the USDA's food composition database is an authoritative resource for nutritional data, including that of peanut butter.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard serving of peanut butter, which is typically two tablespoons, is approximately 32 grams.

Using a digital kitchen scale is significantly more accurate than using a tablespoon, as it accounts for the density and packed nature of the peanut butter, which varies with volume measurement.

Unlike liquids, which fill a volume uniformly, peanut butter's density means a 'level' tablespoon can contain different amounts depending on how it's packed. Measuring by weight (grams) is a consistent metric regardless of how the ingredient fills the space.

For the same volume, the weight of smooth and crunchy peanut butter is nearly identical. Any minor nutritional difference is typically due to slight variations in fiber or fat content, not the weight itself.

Yes, the water displacement method is a less messy alternative to traditional volumetric measurements. You fill a larger measuring cup with water, add the peanut butter until the water level rises to the desired mark, then pour off the water.

To make cleanup easier, you can lightly coat the measuring spoon or cup with cooking spray before adding the peanut butter. This will prevent it from sticking as much.

While the standard serving size is consistent, the exact weight of two tablespoons could vary slightly between brands, especially between natural and conventional varieties with added stabilizers. Checking the nutritional label on the specific jar is always the best practice.