Convert Sugar from Tablespoon to Cup (US)

How many US cups is 1 tablespoon of sugar?

1 tablespoon of sugar (granulated sugar) is 0.06 US cups. 2 tablespoons of sugar is 0.13 US cups. 1/2 tablespoon of sugar is 0.03 US cups. 1/4 tablespoon (0.25 tablespoon) of sugar is 0.02 US cups. 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 →
  • One metric tablespoon of sugar weighs about 12 grams. A US tablespoon (14.79 ml) holds about 11.8 grams and an Australian tablespoon (20 ml) about 16 grams.
  • A little over or under won't ruin the bake. An extra spoon mainly makes it sweeter.

Sugar here means standard white granulated sugar, the everyday sweetener used in cakes, biscuits, sauces, and drinks. One metric cup (250 ml) of granulated sugar weighs around 200 grams or 7.05 ounces. When a recipe lists sugar in cups but you only have kitchen scales, converting by weight keeps the sweetness and structure right.

Granulated sugar settles differently depending on how you scoop and level the cup, so weighing in grams gives more consistent results than volume alone. This page converts sugar between grams, cups, tablespoons, and more for any recipe.

Also known as

  • granulated sugar
  • white sugar
  • table sugar

Caster sugar is more finely milled than granulated sugar, so it dissolves faster and is the better choice for meringues and delicate sponges. They are close in weight (225 g vs 200 g per cup); swap 1:1 by volume in most recipes. See our Caster Sugar converter.

Brown sugar contains molasses, adding moisture and a caramel flavour that granulated sugar lacks. Packed, it weighs more by cup (220 g vs 200 g), so weigh it when swapping to keep the sweetness and texture on track. See our Brown Sugar converter.

Icing sugar is granulated sugar ground to a powder, used for frostings and dusting rather than creaming into batters. It packs lighter (125 g vs 200 g per cup), so the two are not a straight 1:1 swap. See our Icing Sugar converter.

Raw sugar is a coarser, less refined cane sugar with larger crystals and a faint molasses taste. It weighs about the same per cup (200 g each) and swaps 1:1 by volume, adding crunch and a subtle caramel note. See our Raw Sugar converter.

Out of sugar? See sugar substitutes →

No measuring spoons? The tool below gets you close, and a measuring spoon set keeps small amounts accurate.

Sugar Measurement Converter

Enter a value and pick your units.

Result

0 Cup (US)

Common Sugar Conversions

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

TablespoonsCups (US)
1 tbsp0.06 cups (US)
2 tbsp0.13 cups (US)
3 tbsp0.19 cups (US)
4 tbsp0.25 cups (US)
6 tbsp0.38 cups (US)
8 tbsp0.5 cups (US)
10 tbsp0.63 cups (US)
12 tbsp0.75 cups (US)
16 tbsp1 cup (US)

Sugar Conversion Chart

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

tbspcup(US)cupgramsouncestsp
1 tbsp0.06 cup (US)0.06 cup12 g0.42 oz3 tsp
2 tbsp0.13 cup (US)0.12 cup24 g0.85 oz6 tsp
3 tbsp0.19 cup (US)0.18 cup36 g1.27 oz9 tsp
4 tbsp0.25 cup (US)0.24 cup48 g1.69 oz12 tsp

This is a volume conversion, so the result is the same for every ingredient. Use the tablespoons to cups (US) volume converter to switch between cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, and millilitres without weighing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 tablespoon of sugar in US cups?
1 tablespoon of sugar is 0.06 US cups. The ratio is fixed, so 2 tablespoons of sugar is 0.13 US cups and 0.5 tablespoons is 0.03 US cups. 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 sugar converter
How many US cups is 1.5 tablespoons of sugar?
1.5 tablespoons of sugar is 0.09 US cups. The ratio is fixed, so 1 tablespoon of sugar is 0.06 US cups and 2 tablespoons is 0.13 US cups. Type any other amount into the converter above for the exact figure, or use the chart below for the common ones.
What is 2 tablespoons of sugar in US cups?
2 tablespoons of sugar is 0.13 US cups. Conversions scale in a straight line, so halving or doubling a recipe keeps the same ratio. 1 tablespoon of sugar is 0.06 US cups, and you can multiply or divide that figure to match whatever your recipe needs. Enter any amount in the converter above for an exact US cups reading.
How many tablespoons of sugar is 0.06 US cups?
0.06 US cups of sugar is 0.96 tablespoons. The conversion works the same in reverse, so you can switch between US cups and tablespoons without changing the result. This helps when a recipe lists tablespoons but you would rather weigh or measure in US cups. The converter above and the chart below cover both directions for any amount.
How many US cups is 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar?
Granulated sugar is another name for sugar, so 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar is 0.06 US cups, exactly the same as sugar. The figure does not change with the name: 2 tablespoons is 0.13 US cups and 0.5 tablespoons is 0.03 US cups. Use the converter above for any quantity, or read the conversion chart on this page for the most common amounts.
Are sugar and granulated sugar the same thing?
Yes. Granulated sugar is another name for sugar, so they are the same ingredient and convert identically. 1 tablespoon of sugar is 0.06 US cups under either name, and 2 tablespoons is 0.13 US cups. Recipes use the two names interchangeably, so you can follow either one without changing quantities or weighing any differently.
What is 1/2 tbsp sugar in US cups?
1/2 tablespoon of sugar is 0.03 US cups. The ratio is fixed, so 1 tablespoon of sugar is 0.06 US cups and 2 tablespoons is 0.13 US cups. Half measures come up often when scaling a recipe down, and the figure divides cleanly. Use the converter above for any other amount, or the chart below for the common ones.
What is 1/4 tbsp sugar in US cups?
1/4 tablespoon (0.25 tablespoon) of sugar is 0.02 US cups. The ratio is fixed, so 1 tablespoon of sugar is 0.06 US cups and 2 tablespoons is 0.13 US cups. Quarter amounts often come up when scaling a recipe down step by step, and the figure divides cleanly. Use the converter above for any other quantity, or the chart below for the most common amounts.

Other Ingredients

If you need help with any other ingredients click below: