Coconut Oil — Cups to Grams

1 cup of coconut oil = 218 grams

1 cup of coconut oil weighs approximately 218 grams. Use the converter below for custom amounts, or check the full conversion table.

Coconut Oil Converter

Result

218 g

Why Does Coconut Oil Weigh 218g Per Cup?

0.92x

Coconut oil is lighter than water, like all oils. At 218g per cup versus water's 237g, it's about 92% as dense. Solid and melted coconut oil have nearly the same weight per volume, unlike butter (which contains water that evaporates when melted). This makes coconut oil more predictable to measure than butter.

A cup of coconut oil (218g) weighs almost the same as other cooking oils — vegetable oil (218g), olive oil (216g). It's slightly lighter than butter (227g per cup) because butter contains water and milk solids. When substituting coconut oil for butter, use about 15% less coconut oil to account for butter's water content.

When Does Precision Matter for Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil precision matters most in baking where it replaces butter, as the fat-to-flour ratio affects texture. In pie crusts and biscuits, too much fat makes greasy results; too little makes tough, dry results. For vegan chocolate making, the coconut oil ratio determines how firm the chocolate sets. In cooking (sautéing, frying), precision doesn't matter — use enough to coat the pan. For energy balls and no-bake treats, adjust to desired consistency.

How to Measure Coconut Oil Correctly

Coconut oil should be measured when solid by spooning it into the measuring cup and levelling it off, similar to measuring shortening. For melted coconut oil, use a liquid measuring cup. The solid and liquid volumes are nearly identical, but for precision, weigh it — 1 cup solid = 218g. If a recipe doesn't specify solid or melted, match the state of the fat it's replacing (solid for butter, liquid for vegetable oil).

Understanding Coconut Oil Measurements

Coconut oil is extracted from coconut meat and is unique among cooking oils because it's solid at room temperature (below 24°C/76°F). One cup of solid coconut oil weighs approximately 218 grams. Virgin (unrefined) coconut oil has a distinct coconut flavour and aroma; refined coconut oil is neutral-tasting with a higher smoke point (232°C vs 177°C). Both are about 82% saturated fat, which is why they're solid at room temperature.

Common Uses in Baking & Cooking

Coconut oil is popular in vegan baking as a butter substitute — it creates similar flaky textures in pie crusts and tender crumbs in cakes. It's used in curries, stir-fries, and for frying (refined coconut oil has a high smoke point). Beyond cooking, it's used in homemade chocolate (it helps chocolate set firm), energy balls, and granola. Virgin coconut oil adds coconut flavour; use refined when you want neutral taste. If you need a substitute, see our Coconut Oil substitution guide.

Storage and Handling Tips

Store coconut oil at room temperature in a cool, dark place. It will naturally shift between solid and liquid as temperature changes — this doesn't affect quality. Coconut oil has a long shelf life of 2+ years due to its saturated fat content, which resists oxidation. If it develops an off smell or yellow colour, it's rancid and should be replaced. No refrigeration needed.

Need to convert coconut oil to other units? Try our cups to grams converter or tablespoons to grams converter.

Related Guides

Related Ingredients

Coconut Oil Conversion Table

AmountGramsOunces
1 teaspoon4.54g0.16 oz
1 tablespoon13.6g0.48 oz
¼ cup54.5g1.92 oz
⅓ cup72.7g2.56 oz
½ cup109g3.84 oz
⅔ cup145g5.13 oz
¾ cup164g5.77 oz
1 cup218g7.69 oz
1½ cups327g11.5 oz
2 cups436g15.4 oz

Coconut Oil — US, Metric & UK Cup Conversions

Cup sizes vary by country. This table shows how much coconut oil weighs when measured with US cups (most online recipes), metric cups (Australia, NZ, Canada), or UK/Imperial cups.

AmountUS Cup(236.6 ml)Metric Cup(250 ml)UK Cup(284 ml)
¼ cup54.5g57.6g65.5g
⅓ cup72.7g76.8g87.3g
½ cup109g115g131g
⅔ cup145g154g175g
¾ cup164g173g196g
1 cup218g230g262g
1½ cups327g346g393g
2 cups436g461g524g

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

Melted.

Need a Substitute?

Out of coconut oil? We've got 2 tested alternatives with exact ratios.

Butter(1:1)
Vegetable Oil(1:1)
See all alternatives for Coconut Oil

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute coconut oil for butter?
Yes, but use about 15% less coconut oil than the butter called for (butter is about 80% fat, coconut oil is 100% fat). For 1 cup butter, use about ¾ cup + 1 tablespoon coconut oil. Use solid coconut oil for recipes requiring solid butter (pie crust, biscuits) and melted for recipes using melted butter. Virgin coconut oil will add coconut flavour; use refined for neutral taste.
What's the difference between virgin and refined coconut oil?
Virgin (unrefined) coconut oil is extracted from fresh coconut without chemicals, retaining coconut flavour and aroma. It has a lower smoke point (177°C/350°F). Refined coconut oil is processed to remove flavour and impurities, resulting in neutral taste and higher smoke point (232°C/450°F). Nutritionally, they're similar. Use virgin when you want coconut flavour; use refined for high-heat cooking or neutral taste.
Is coconut oil healthy?
Coconut oil is controversial. It's about 82% saturated fat — higher than butter (63%). Some saturated fats in coconut oil (like lauric acid) may behave differently than animal saturated fats, but research is mixed. Most health organizations recommend limiting saturated fat intake. Coconut oil can be part of a balanced diet but shouldn't be considered a health food. Use it when its properties (solid at room temp, coconut flavour) benefit your recipe.
How many grams in 1 cup of coconut oil?
One US cup of coconut oil weighs approximately 218 grams, whether solid or melted. In a metric cup (250ml), it's about 230g. In a UK Imperial cup (284ml), it's about 261g. One tablespoon is about 13.6g.
Why did my coconut oil turn grainy?
Coconut oil can become grainy when it partially melts and re-solidifies, causing the different fatty acids to crystallize separately. This is harmless and doesn't affect quality or taste. To fix it, melt the oil completely, then let it cool and solidify uniformly. To prevent graininess, store coconut oil away from heat sources and temperature fluctuations.

More Oils & Fats

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.