Convert Shortening from Cup (US)

How much is 1 US cup of shortening?

1 US cup of shortening (vegetable shortening) is 196.8 grams, about 6.94 ounces. 0.5 US cups of shortening is 98.4 grams and 2 US cups is 393.6 grams. Use the converter below for any amount.

Shortening is 100% solid vegetable fat with no water, sold under brand names such as Crisco and Trex. One metric cup (250 ml) of shortening weighs around 205 grams or 7.23 ounces. When a recipe calls for shortening in cups or tablespoons, converting to grams first removes the uncertainty of scooping from a sticky tub for flaky pie crusts and tender biscuits.

Shortening tubs are sold by weight in the US and by volume elsewhere, while recipes call for cups, tablespoons, or grams. Converting between the three lets you measure once without scraping a sticky cup.

Also known as

  • vegetable shortening
  • Crisco
  • white fat

Butter carries around 15% water and adds dairy flavour, while shortening is pure fat with none. Shortening is lighter per cup (205 g vs 227 g), so weigh when swapping; for the closest result, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water per cup of shortening when replacing butter, and accept a flakier, less flavourful crumb. See butter in US cups.

Margarine carries around 15 to 20% water and bakes closer to butter, while shortening is pure fat. They are close in weight (235 g vs 205 g per cup); swap by weight in pastry for a flakier result with shortening, or in cakes for a more tender crumb with margarine. See margarine in US cups.

Out of shortening? See shortening substitutes →

No measuring cups? The tool below gets you close, and a measuring cup set keeps every batch the same.

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Shortening Measurement Converter

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Common Shortening Conversions

Here are the most common shortening conversions from cups (US) to grams.

Cups (US)Grams
0.25 cups (US)49.2 g
0.5 cups (US)98.4 g
0.75 cups (US)147.6 g
1 cup (US)196.8 g
1.25 cups (US)246 g
1.5 cups (US)295.2 g
2 cups (US)393.6 g
2.5 cups (US)492 g
3 cups (US)590.4 g

Shortening Conversion Chart

The conversion chart below gives a quick reference for converting shortening from Cup (US) to other measurements.

cup(US)cupgramsouncestbsptsp
0.25 cup (US)0.24 cup49.2 g1.74 oz4 tbsp12 tsp
0.5 cup (US)0.48 cup98.4 g3.47 oz8 tbsp24 tsp
1 cup (US)0.96 cup196.8 g6.94 oz16 tbsp48 tsp
2 cup (US)1.92 cup393.6 g13.88 oz32 tbsp96 tsp

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is 1 US cup of shortening?
1 US cup of shortening is 196.8 grams, or 6.94 ounces. The ratio is fixed, so 0.5 US cups of shortening is 98.4 grams and 2 US cups is 393.6 grams. Whatever unit your recipe uses, enter the amount in the converter above or read the conversion chart on this page for the most common quantities. Open the shortening converter
How many grams is 1 US cup of shortening?
1 US cup of shortening is 196.8 grams. The conversion scales in a straight line, so 0.5 US cups is 98.4 grams and 2 US cups is 393.6 grams. Multiply or divide that figure to match whatever your recipe needs, or use the converter above for an exact grams reading at any amount. 1 US cup shortening in grams
How many US cups of shortening is 196.8 grams?
196.8 grams of shortening is 1 US cup. The conversion works the same in reverse, so you can switch between US cups and grams without changing the result. This helps when a recipe lists one unit but you would rather measure in the other. The converter above and the chart below cover both directions for any amount.
What is 1 US cup of shortening in ounces?
1 US cup of shortening is 6.94 ounces. The ratio is fixed, so 0.5 US cups is 3.47 ounces and 2 US cups is 13.88 ounces. Use the converter above for any other amount, or see the chart on this page for the common quantities at a glance. 1 US cup shortening in ounces
How do US cups and tablespoons compare as units?
US cups and tablespoons are both volume units, so the conversion between them does not vary by ingredient. One metric cup holds about 16.67 tablespoons or 50 teaspoons, and the ratio stays fixed regardless of what you are measuring. The volume converter handles any amount between cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, and millilitres. Cups (US) to tablespoons

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