How Many Grams is 2 Tablespoons of Salt? The Surprising Answer

October 31, 2025 •

4 min read

A single tablespoon of salt can weigh anywhere from 10 to 23 grams, making the answer to 'how many grams is 2 tablespoons of salt?' entirely dependent on the type of salt you are measuring. This significant variability highlights why a precise kitchen scale is essential for achieving consistent results in your cooking and baking.

Quick Summary

The precise gram weight for 2 tablespoons of salt varies depending on the grain size and density. Fine table salt is denser than flaky kosher salt, which directly affects the conversion. Precision requires a kitchen scale.

Key Points

Weight Varies by Salt Type: Two tablespoons of salt can range from 18g to 46g depending on the crystal size and density.
Table Salt is Heaviest: Standard table salt, with its fine grains, is denser and will weigh more per tablespoon than other types.
Kosher Salt is Lighter: Both Morton and Diamond Crystal kosher salts are lighter than table salt due to their flakier structure, with Diamond Crystal being the lightest.
Use a Digital Scale for Accuracy: For precise measurements, especially in baking, a digital kitchen scale is far more reliable than measuring spoons.
Level Your Spoon: When measuring by volume, level off the spoon with a straight edge to achieve a more consistent measure.
Adjust for Substitutions: When substituting different types of salt, you must adjust the quantity to achieve the same level of salinity.

Why Salt Type Affects Weight

Many home cooks and bakers are surprised to learn that a 'tablespoon' of salt is not a universal measurement. The weight of salt is directly tied to its density, which is determined by the size and shape of its crystals. A tablespoon of fine, densely packed table salt will weigh considerably more than the same volume of coarse, flaky sea salt. This is because the finer granules leave less empty space, or air pockets, within the tablespoon measure.

The Density of Common Salt Varieties

Table Salt: This is the densest and heaviest of the common culinary salts. Its small, uniform crystals pack tightly together. A single tablespoon can weigh between 18 and 23 grams, meaning 2 tablespoons would be in the range of 36 to 46 grams, depending on the source and how it is packed.
Kosher Salt (Morton): Morton's brand kosher salt has denser, flat flakes compared to Diamond Crystal. A tablespoon weighs approximately 16 grams. Thus, 2 tablespoons would be about 32 grams.
Kosher Salt (Diamond Crystal): This brand features more fragile, concave grains, which are lighter and take up more volume. A tablespoon of Diamond Crystal weighs only about 10 grams. Consequently, 2 tablespoons of this salt would only be around 20 grams.
Flaky Sea Salt (e.g., Maldon): Known for its light, pyramid-shaped crystals, flaky sea salt is the least dense. A tablespoon of flaky sea salt can weigh as little as 9 grams, making 2 tablespoons approximately 18 grams.

The Importance of a Digital Scale

For most cooking and baking, especially where precision is key, relying on volume measurements like tablespoons can lead to inconsistent results. A digital kitchen scale removes all the guesswork by measuring ingredients by mass, which is a constant regardless of density. If a recipe calls for a specific weight of salt, such as 20 grams, you can accurately measure it out no matter what type of salt you are using. This is crucial for baking where a small error in salt measurement can significantly impact the outcome.

Conversion Chart for 2 Tablespoons of Salt

To provide clarity, here is a comparison table that shows the approximate weight of two tablespoons for different types of salt, based on standard culinary measurements:


Type of Salt	Weight of 1 tbsp (approx.)	Weight of 2 tbsp (approx.)
Table Salt	18-23 g	36-46 g
Morton Kosher Salt	16 g	32 g
Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt	10 g	20 g
Flaky Sea Salt	9 g	18 g

How to Measure Salt Accurately Without a Scale

While a digital scale is the most accurate method, you can improve the precision of volume measurements by following a few simple steps:

Level it Off: Always use a straight edge, such as the back of a knife, to level off the salt in your measuring spoon. This removes any excess to ensure a level measure every time.
Avoid Compacting: When scooping salt, especially finer grains, avoid pressing it down into the measuring spoon. Scooping and leveling without compacting gives a more consistent volume measurement.
Know Your Brands: Pay attention to the type and brand of salt your recipe specifies, as they can have wildly different densities. For instance, substituting 2 tablespoons of Diamond Crystal kosher salt for a recipe calling for table salt could result in a dish that is far less salty than intended.

Culinary Implications of Weight Differences

Beyond basic measurement, understanding the weight differences of salt is important for recipe conversion and flavor. A recipe developed with Diamond Crystal kosher salt, which is less potent per tablespoon, will be dangerously over-salted if a denser table salt is used as a 1:1 volume substitution. Always adjust the amount based on the type of salt. Some culinary resources provide conversion charts for substituting between salt types to help prevent such kitchen mishaps.

Baking vs. Cooking Precision

In baking, where chemical reactions are sensitive to precise quantities, using a scale for salt is almost always recommended. In cooking, which is often more forgiving, a slight variation might be acceptable. For sauces, soups, and other savory dishes, tasting as you go can often compensate for slight discrepancies in volume-based salt measurements.

Conclusion

Determining how many grams is 2 tablespoons of salt is not a single, fixed number but a variable influenced by the salt's crystal structure and density. For the highest accuracy in your culinary endeavors, especially when baking, a digital kitchen scale is the most reliable tool. When measuring by volume, be mindful of the type of salt you are using and understand that a direct volume-for-volume substitution between different salts can drastically change the flavor profile of your final dish. By understanding these nuances, you can avoid common kitchen mistakes and achieve perfectly seasoned results every time.

For more detailed salt conversion information, explore resources such as those on Epicurious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Since different salts have different densities, you cannot convert them 1:1 by volume. Instead, use a weight-based conversion or a specific conversion ratio. For example, use roughly twice as much Diamond Crystal kosher salt by volume as you would table salt.

Kosher salt is less dense than table salt. If you substitute a recipe's call for kosher salt with the same volume of denser table salt, you will add significantly more salt by weight, resulting in an overly salty dish.

Measuring salt by weight using a digital scale is always the most accurate and consistent method, especially for baking. Volume measurements can vary based on the salt's coarseness.

Fine sea salt is similar in density to table salt, so a tablespoon is typically around 15 to 18 grams. However, this can vary by brand and how it is processed.

In cooking, minor errors may be forgivable, but in baking, where chemical reactions are sensitive to precise measurements, an incorrect amount of salt can negatively affect the outcome.

A tablespoon of Morton kosher salt weighs more (around 16 grams) than a tablespoon of Diamond Crystal kosher salt (around 10 grams) because Morton's flakes are denser.

The most reliable method is to use a digital kitchen scale and measure the amount of salt in grams. If the recipe only provides a volume measurement (e.g., tablespoons), be aware of the salt type and adjust for density if needed.