How Much Does One Cup of 2% Milk Weigh?

December 30, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a standard US cup of 2% milk weighs approximately 244 grams. This weight is slightly more than a cup of water, a fact that is critical for precision in baking and other culinary applications where measuring by weight is preferred over volume. The slight difference in density is due to the milk's proteins, lactose, and fat content.

Quick Summary

One standard US cup of 2% milk weighs around 244 grams or 8.6 ounces. This is slightly heavier than an equivalent volume of water, due to the presence of fats, proteins, and other milk solids. The weight is a crucial detail for accurate culinary measurements, especially for baking.

Key Points

Standard Weight: One US cup of 2% milk weighs approximately 244 grams or 8.6 ounces, slightly heavier than water.
Weight vs. Volume: Measuring milk by weight on a kitchen scale is more accurate and consistent than using a volume-based measuring cup.
Density Differences: Skim milk is slightly denser (heavier per cup) than 2% milk because fat is lighter than the other milk solids and water.
Baking Precision: For baking recipes, where ingredient ratios are crucial for texture, weighing milk ensures more reliable and consistent outcomes.
Key Influencers: The weight of milk is primarily determined by its fat and solids-not-fat content, with temperature and other factors having minor impacts.

The Exact Weight of One Cup of 2% Milk

For culinary professionals and home cooks seeking precision, understanding the exact weight of ingredients is paramount. A standard US cup, which is 8 fluid ounces, contains a specific mass of 2% milk that differs from other liquids like water. While it is often convenient to assume a liquid's density is similar to water, milk's composition, particularly its protein, lactose, and fat content, makes it slightly denser and therefore heavier by volume. For 2% milk, the weight is typically 244 grams, or 8.6 ounces.

Why Weight Matters for Accuracy

Measuring ingredients by weight is considered the gold standard for accuracy in baking and cooking. Unlike volume measurements, which can be inconsistent due to factors like ingredient compaction or how the measuring cup is filled, a gram is always a gram.

Consistency: A recipe that calls for 244 grams of 2% milk will always result in the same quantity of milk being used, regardless of the person measuring. A recipe calling for "1 cup" can have slight variations based on technique.
Perfect Results: For delicate recipes like pastries, custards, and breads, where the ratio of ingredients is critical, small variations in liquid content can drastically alter the final texture and taste. Using a kitchen scale to measure milk, and all other ingredients, ensures consistent and predictable results.
Metric System Efficiency: The metric system is a boon for weight-based measurements. While US customary cups are 236.59 mL, the convenience of the metric system, where 1 mL of water weighs 1 gram, makes scaling recipes and performing conversions far simpler.

Comparison of Milk Types by Weight

The density of milk is directly related to its fat content and its solids-not-fat (SNF) content, which includes proteins and lactose. Fat is less dense than water, while proteins and lactose are denser. When fat is removed to create lower-fat milk, the overall density increases, meaning a cup of skim milk will weigh slightly more than a cup of 2% milk.


Milk Type	Approximate Weight (per 1 US Cup)	Approximate Equivalent (Ounces)	Reason for Weight
Skim/Nonfat Milk	245 grams	8.64 ounces	Highest density; lowest fat content.
2% Lowfat Milk	244 grams	8.61 ounces	Higher density than whole milk due to lower fat content.
Whole Milk (3.25%)	243 grams	8.57 ounces	Lowest density among the main three milk types due to highest fat content.

Factors Influencing Milk Weight

Beyond the primary factor of fat and SNF content, other elements can subtly affect the weight of milk. The density of milk varies slightly based on the breed of cow, the cow's diet, and even the temperature at which it's measured. For most practical cooking and baking purposes, these variations are negligible, but they are notable details for dairy specialists or for those seeking absolute scientific precision.

How to Measure Accurately

For those who do not have a kitchen scale, using a transparent liquid measuring cup with a spout is recommended for volume-based measurements. Ensure the cup is placed on a flat, level surface and read the measurement at eye level to avoid parallax errors. For weight-based measurements, which are highly recommended for optimal results, place a bowl on your digital scale and zero it out (tare). Then, pour the milk directly into the bowl until the desired weight is reached. This method eliminates the need for any measuring cups, resulting in fewer dishes to wash.

Conclusion

While a standard US cup of 2% milk weighs approximately 244 grams or 8.6 ounces, the true value of this information lies in how it influences cooking and baking. For consistent, reliable, and high-quality results, measuring liquids by weight rather than volume is the superior method. The difference in density between different types of milk, though slight, underscores the importance of precision in culinary arts. For more information on dairy science and milk properties, explore resources from the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

2% milk is heavier than water because it contains additional components like proteins, lactose, and minerals that are denser than water. While fat is less dense, the overall composition makes milk slightly heavier by volume.

Yes, skim milk is slightly heavier than 2% milk by volume. This is because skim milk has less fat, and fat is the lightest component of milk. Removing the lighter fat increases the overall density of the remaining liquid.

To convert a US cup of 2% milk to grams, you can use the standard weight of 244 grams per cup. For maximum accuracy, it is best to use a digital kitchen scale and simply weigh it out.

Recipes, especially in baking, specify weight because it offers superior accuracy and consistency. Volume measurements with cups can vary depending on how the ingredient is handled, while weight measurements are always precise.

Yes, temperature can affect the density, and therefore the weight, of milk. Cooler milk is slightly denser and heavier. However, for most home cooking, this effect is negligible.

Since a US cup (8 fluid ounces) of 2% milk weighs about 8.6 ounces (weight), one fluid ounce would weigh approximately 1.076 ounces. It's important to remember that a fluid ounce is a measure of volume, not weight.

No, the weight per cup varies slightly depending on the fat content. Whole milk is the lightest, followed by 2%, then skim milk, because fat is less dense than water and other milk solids.