Brown Sugar — Cups to Grams
1 cup of brown sugar = 220 grams
1 cup of brown sugar weighs approximately 220 grams. Use the converter below for custom amounts, or check the full conversion table.
Brown Sugar Converter
Result
220 g
Why Does Brown Sugar Weigh 220g Per Cup?
Brown sugar's density depends entirely on how it's packed. The molasses makes it sticky and clumpy, creating air pockets. Loosely filled, a cup might weigh 150g; firmly packed, the same cup weighs 220g. This 45% variance is why brown sugar is the most unreliable common ingredient to measure by volume — and why recipes always specify "packed."
A cup of packed brown sugar (220g) weighs slightly less than a cup of water (237g), but nearly twice as much as a cup of flour (125g). The moisture from molasses makes it heavier than white sugar.
When Does Precision Matter for Brown Sugar?
Brown sugar precision matters most in cookies, where it affects both moisture and spread. The molasses content creates chewier textures and more browning. In chocolate chip cookies, the brown-to-white sugar ratio is the difference between chewy and crispy. For barbecue sauces, marinades, and glazes, precision matters less — adjust to taste. In cakes and muffins, being off by 10-15% usually produces good results. The biggest variable isn't measurement precision but packing consistency — loosely packed brown sugar can weigh 30% less than firmly packed.
How to Measure Brown Sugar Correctly
Brown sugar must be packed into the measuring cup to get an accurate measurement. Use the back of a spoon to press it down firmly, then add more until the cup is full and level. If your brown sugar has hardened, you can soften it by placing it in a sealed container with a slice of bread or apple for a few hours, or by microwaving it briefly.
Understanding Brown Sugar Measurements
Brown sugar is granulated sugar with molasses added, giving it a moist texture and caramel flavour. One cup of packed brown sugar weighs approximately 220 grams. The key word here is "packed" — brown sugar should be firmly packed into the measuring cup, unlike white sugar which is spooned and levelled.
Common Uses in Baking & Cooking
Brown sugar is used in recipes where you want moisture and a caramel flavour, such as chocolate chip cookies, gingerbread, and barbecue sauces. Light brown sugar has less molasses and a milder flavour, while dark brown sugar has more molasses and a stronger flavour. They can often be used interchangeably, though dark brown sugar will give a more intense flavour. If you need a substitute, see our Brown Sugar substitution guide.
Storage and Handling Tips
Store brown sugar in an airtight container to prevent it from hardening. If it does harden, you can soften it by adding a slice of bread or apple to the container, or by microwaving it for 15-20 seconds. Brown sugar should feel moist and packable when fresh.
Need to convert brown sugar to other units? Try our cups to grams converter or tablespoons to grams converter.
Related Guides
The Complete Baking Substitutions Guide
The definitive guide to baking substitutions. Covers dairy-free, gluten-free, egg-free and pantry alternatives with exact ratios and tips.
US Cups vs UK Cups — What's the Difference?
US cups, UK cups, metric cups — they're all different sizes. Learn the differences, why it matters for baking, and how to convert between them.
Related Ingredients
Brown Sugar Conversion Table
| Amount | Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | 4.58g | 0.16 oz |
| 1 tablespoon | 13.8g | 0.49 oz |
| ¼ cup | 55g | 1.94 oz |
| ⅓ cup | 73.3g | 2.59 oz |
| ½ cup | 110g | 3.88 oz |
| ⅔ cup | 147g | 5.17 oz |
| ¾ cup | 165g | 5.82 oz |
| 1 cup | 220g | 7.76 oz |
| 1½ cups | 330g | 11.6 oz |
| 2 cups | 440g | 15.5 oz |
Brown Sugar — US, Metric & UK Cup Conversions
Cup sizes vary by country. This table shows how much brown sugar weighs when measured with US cups (most online recipes), metric cups (Australia, NZ, Canada), or UK/Imperial cups.
| Amount | US Cup(236.6 ml) | Metric Cup(250 ml) | UK Cup(284 ml) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¼ cup | 55g | 58.1g | 66.1g |
| ⅓ cup | 73.3g | 77.5g | 88.1g |
| ½ cup | 110g | 116g | 132g |
| ⅔ cup | 147g | 155g | 176g |
| ¾ cup | 165g | 174g | 198g |
| 1 cup | 220g | 232g | 264g |
| 1½ cups | 330g | 349g | 396g |
| 2 cups | 440g | 465g | 528g |
Note: US cups (236.6 ml) are standard in most online recipes. Metric cups (250 ml, used in Australia, NZ, Canada) hold 5.7% more. UK/Imperial cups (284 ml) hold 20% more than US cups.
Measurement Note
Firmly packed.
Need a Substitute?
Out of brown sugar? We've got 3 tested alternatives with exact ratios.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "packed" brown sugar mean?▼
Can I substitute white sugar for brown sugar?▼
What's the difference between light and dark brown sugar?▼
How do I fix hardened brown sugar?▼
How many grams in 1 cup of brown sugar?▼
More Sugars & Sweeteners
Related Converters
Values are approximate and can vary depending on how the ingredient is measured. For precision baking, we recommend using a digital kitchen scale.