Convert Icing Sugar from Cup (US) to Tablespoon

How many tablespoons is 1 US cup of icing sugar?

1 US cup of icing sugar (Powdered Sugar) is 16 tablespoons. 2 US cups of icing sugar is 32 tablespoons. Use the converter below for any amount.

  • These figures use the US cup (240 ml). A metric cup is slightly larger at 250 ml, so it holds a little more. Use the metric cup converter →
  • Cup sizes are not standard worldwide, so the same cup of an ingredient can weigh more or less depending on the country. What is a cup measurement →
  • A tablespoon here is the 15 ml metric standard, about 16.67 to a metric cup, the same size as a UK tablespoon. A US tablespoon is smaller at 14.79 ml, so US cooks measuring with US spoons need slightly more. An Australian tablespoon is larger at 20 ml, so it holds about a third more. When tablespoon size matters →
  • A little over or under won't ruin the bake. An extra spoon mainly makes it sweeter.

Icing sugar is a finely milled white sugar with a light, silky texture. One metric cup weighs approximately 125 grams (4.41 oz), noticeably lighter than granulated sugar because the fine particles don't pack as tightly. It's used in buttercreams, glazes, frostings, and as a dusting over cakes and pastries.

Icing sugar is so fine and airy that the amount you get in a cup can vary significantly depending on how it's scooped — measuring by weight gives far more consistent results. This page lets you convert icing sugar between grams, cups, tablespoons, and more so your recipes turn out reliably every time.

Also known as

  • Powdered Sugar
  • Confectioners' Sugar

Granulated sugar is the coarse, crystalline form that icing sugar is milled from. It is heavier by cup (201 g vs 125 g) and creams into butter for cakes, whereas icing sugar suits frostings and dusting, so the two are not a straight 1:1 swap. See our Sugar converter.

Raw sugar has large, coarse crystals with a faint molasses taste, far removed from the fine powder of icing sugar. It packs much heavier (200 g vs 125 g per cup), so the two are not a straight swap. See our Raw Sugar converter.

Out of icing sugar? See icing sugar substitutes →

No measuring cups? The tool below gets you close. For consistent results, grab a measuring cup set.

Icing Sugar Measurement Converter

Enter a value and pick your units.

Result

0 Tablespoon

Common Icing Sugar Conversions

Here are the most common icing sugar conversions from cups (US) to tablespoons.

Cups (US)Tablespoons
0.25 cups (US)4 tbsp
0.5 cups (US)8 tbsp
0.75 cups (US)12 tbsp
1 cup (US)16 tbsp
1.25 cups (US)20 tbsp
1.5 cups (US)24 tbsp
2 cups (US)32 tbsp
2.5 cups (US)40 tbsp
3 cups (US)48 tbsp

Icing Sugar Conversion Chart

The conversion chart below gives a quick reference for converting icing sugar from Cup (US) to Tablespoon and other measurements.

cup(US)tbspcupgramsouncestsp
0.25 cup (US)4 tbsp0.24 cup30 g1.06 oz12 tsp
0.5 cup (US)8 tbsp0.48 cup60 g2.12 oz24 tsp
1 cup (US)16 tbsp0.96 cup120 g4.23 oz48 tsp
2 cup (US)32 tbsp1.92 cup240 g8.47 oz96 tsp

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tablespoons is 1 US cup of icing sugar?
1 US cup of icing sugar is 16 tablespoons. The ratio is fixed, so 2 US cups of icing sugar is 32 tablespoons and 0.5 US cups is 8 tablespoons. Use the converter above for any quantity, or check the conversion chart on this page for the most common amounts at a glance. Open the icing sugar converter
How many tablespoons is 1.5 US cups of icing sugar?
1.5 US cups of icing sugar is 24 tablespoons. The ratio is fixed, so 1 US cup of icing sugar is 16 tablespoons and 2 US cups is 32 tablespoons. Type any other amount into the converter above for the exact figure, or use the chart below for the common ones.
How many tablespoons is 2 US cups of icing sugar?
2 US cups of icing sugar is 32 tablespoons. Conversions scale in a straight line, so halving or doubling a recipe keeps the same ratio. 1 US cup of icing sugar is 16 tablespoons, and you can multiply or divide that figure to match whatever your recipe needs. Enter any amount in the converter above for an exact tablespoons reading.
How many US cups of icing sugar is 16 tablespoons?
16 tablespoons of icing sugar is 1 US cup. The conversion works the same in reverse, so you can switch between tablespoons and US cups without changing the result. This helps when a recipe lists US cups but you would rather weigh or measure in tablespoons. The converter above and the chart below cover both directions for any amount.
How many tablespoons is 1 US cup of Powdered Sugar?
Powdered Sugar is another name for icing sugar, so 1 US cup of Powdered Sugar is 16 tablespoons, exactly the same as icing sugar. The figure does not change with the name: 2 US cups is 32 tablespoons and 0.5 US cups is 8 tablespoons. Use the converter above for any quantity, or read the conversion chart on this page for the most common amounts.

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