How much is 20 grams in cups?

December 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the metric system, a standard cup holds 250 grams of water, but how much is 20 grams in cups varies drastically depending on the ingredient's density and weight. This makes a universal conversion impossible for solid foods.

Quick Summary

The conversion from 20 grams to cups depends on the specific ingredient's density. This guide explains why and provides a quick chart for common pantry items like flour, sugar, and butter, illustrating the difference in volume.

Key Points

Density Matters: The volume of 20 grams in cups is not constant but varies significantly based on the ingredient's density.
Approx. 1/8 Cup: For common items like flour, sugar, and butter, 20 grams is roughly equivalent to 1/8 of a US customary cup.
Accuracy with a Scale: For the most precise results in baking, using a digital kitchen scale for gram measurements is superior to volume-based cup measuring.
Spoon and Sweep Method: When using cups for dry ingredients, use the spoon and sweep technique to avoid over-packing and inaccurate volume.
Know Your Cup Size: Be mindful of whether a recipe uses US customary or metric cup measurements, as they differ in volume.
Liquids Differ: The conversion for liquids like honey is based on its specific density and will differ from dry goods.

Understanding Grams vs. Cups: The Density Problem

Converting a weight measurement (grams) to a volume measurement (cups) is not a straightforward calculation. The simple reason is density. Different ingredients have different densities, meaning they have a unique weight-to-volume ratio. A cup of flour, for instance, weighs significantly less than a cup of sugar or butter. Because 20 grams is a fixed weight, its equivalent volume in a cup will shift with every ingredient.

For most home cooks and bakers, this means relying on a conversion chart tailored to specific ingredients is far more reliable than a single, one-size-fits-all number. Measuring by weight with a kitchen scale is the most accurate method, but when a scale isn't available, specific volume estimations are a helpful alternative. Below, we've compiled conversions for common items to clarify the answer to the question, "how much is 20 grams in cups?"

20 Grams to Cups Comparison Table


Ingredient (20g)	Approx. US Cup Volume	Notes
All-Purpose Flour	Approx. 1/8 cup	Varies based on sifting and packing.
Granulated Sugar	Approx. 1/8 cup	Less dense than flour, but similar small volume.
Butter	Approx. 1.5 Tbsp or 1/8 cup	Precise measurement is important for baking.
Cocoa Powder	Approx. 3 Tbsp	Very light and fluffy; packs easily.
Honey/Syrup	Approx. 1 Tbsp or 0.06 cups	A tablespoon of honey is about 20g.
Breadcrumbs (dry)	Approx. 2 Tbsp	A standard conversion shows 20g is 2 tbsp.
Nuts (chopped)	Approx. 2.5 Tbsp or 1/8 cup	Ground nuts may be slightly different.

Practical Examples: Using 20 Grams of Common Ingredients

How to Measure 20g of Flour

Given that 20 grams is a very small amount of flour, using cups can be highly inaccurate due to the ingredient's fluffiness. For this reason, it's best to use a tablespoon measure as a close approximation. Two level tablespoons of all-purpose flour will be close to 20 grams, but for perfect results, a kitchen scale is the best tool.

How to Measure 20g of Sugar

Like flour, 20 grams of granulated sugar is a small quantity, equating to roughly 1/8 of a US customary cup. You can also use a tablespoon for a more accurate estimation; it will be just a little over one tablespoon. Brown sugar has a higher density due to its moisture content, so 20 grams of brown sugar would result in a slightly smaller volume.

How to Measure 20g of Butter

Butter is one of the easiest ingredients to measure accurately without a scale, as sticks of butter are pre-marked with measurements. 20 grams is a small portion of a standard US stick. As shown in the table, it's approximately 1.5 tablespoons, which can be easily sliced from the end of a stick using the markings as a guide.

Tips for Accurate Measurement without a Scale

Even without a kitchen scale, you can improve the accuracy of your conversions. For dry, powdery ingredients, always use the 'spoon and sweep' method. This prevents you from inadvertently packing too much material into the cup, which is the leading cause of measurement errors. Here is a simple guide:

Spoon the ingredient from its container into the measuring cup until it's overflowing.
Level the top with a straight edge, like a knife or spatula.
Do Not tap the cup or shake it to settle the contents.

Using Metric vs. US Customary Cups

It's important to be aware that not all "cups" are equal. A US customary cup is equal to 236.59 mL, while a metric cup is a standard 250 mL. Most recipes will specify which system they are using. Since 20 grams is a metric weight, if you are using a metric cup, the conversion will be slightly different. For liquids, a metric cup is a direct 1:1 conversion (250g = 250ml), but this does not hold for dry goods.

The Advantage of Measuring by Weight

For serious bakers, measuring by weight is the gold standard for consistency and precision. A recipe calling for 20 grams will always be 20 grams, regardless of the ingredient's packing or consistency. This eliminates the guesswork that can lead to variations in baked goods. By switching to a digital scale, you remove the biggest variable in baking, ensuring repeatable, perfect results every time.

Conclusion

While there is no single answer to how much is 20 grams in cups, you can get a very close and reliable measurement for most common kitchen items using a simple conversion chart. The volume will always depend on the ingredient's density, which is why a digital scale remains the best tool for high-precision baking. For quick reference, 20 grams of common pantry items like flour, sugar, and butter is approximately 1/8 cup. For accurate, repeatable results, consider investing in an affordable kitchen scale for weight-based measurements.

This article offers general guidelines for conversions. For specific nutritional information or highly sensitive baking, always consult a reliable source like the USDA or the recipe's original author.

Frequently Asked Questions

The number of tablespoons in 20 grams depends on the ingredient. For example, 20 grams is approximately 1.5 tablespoons of butter, 2.5 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, or 1 tablespoon of honey.

Yes, 20 grams is a relatively small amount, roughly equivalent to four US teaspoons of sugar or a small cube of butter. It represents a small, precise measurement typically found in baking recipes.

The most accurate way to measure 20 grams is by using a digital kitchen scale. This method removes any inaccuracies caused by the ingredient's density or how it's packed into a measuring cup.

20 grams of all-purpose flour is approximately 1/8 of a cup, but this can vary depending on how lightly the flour is packed. For best results, use a scale.

20 grams of granulated sugar is approximately 1/8 of a cup. As with flour, using a kitchen scale provides a more accurate measurement than volume cups.

Yes, it does. Liquid conversions are more consistent, though density still plays a role. 20 grams of water is 20 milliliters, but 20 grams of a thicker liquid like honey is a different volume in a cup.

Professional bakers and many modern recipes use grams for accuracy. It eliminates the inconsistency of volume measurements, ensuring that the recipe will turn out the same way every time, regardless of how ingredients are handled.