Golden Syrup — Cups to Grams

1 cup of golden syrup = 340 grams

1 cup of golden syrup weighs approximately 340 grams. Use the converter below for custom amounts, or check the full conversion table.

Golden Syrup Converter

Amount

Result

340 g

Why Does Golden Syrup Weigh 340g Per Cup?

1.43x

Golden syrup is much denser than water — at 340g per cup versus water's 237g, it's about 43% heavier. This high density comes from the concentrated sugars (about 80% sugar by weight). Like honey and other syrups, it's one of the heaviest common baking ingredients by volume. The density is why a tablespoon of golden syrup adds significant sweetness.

A cup of golden syrup (340g) weighs the same as a cup of honey or corn syrup. It's significantly heavier than maple syrup (322g) despite similar appearance. Compared to treacle (also 340g), golden syrup is lighter in colour and flavour but identical in weight. It's nearly 1.5 times heavier than water.

When Does Precision Matter for Golden Syrup?

Golden syrup precision matters most in flapjacks and treacle tart, where the syrup-to-oat or syrup-to-filling ratio determines texture. Too little syrup makes dry, crumbly flapjacks; too much makes them overly sticky and won't set. In gingerbread and cakes, being off by 10-15% affects moisture but rarely ruins the recipe. For toppings and drizzling, precision doesn't matter — use to taste.

How to Measure Golden Syrup Correctly

To measure golden syrup easily, lightly grease your measuring cup or spoon with oil or cooking spray — this helps the sticky syrup slide out completely. For accuracy, weigh it: 1 tablespoon = about 21g, 1 cup = 340g. Warm syrup flows more easily than cold. When a recipe calls for "1 tin," that's typically 454g (1 lb). Dip your spoon in hot water between measures for easier handling.

Understanding Golden Syrup Measurements

Golden syrup is a thick, amber-coloured inverted sugar syrup, a staple of British baking since the 1880s. One cup weighs approximately 340 grams. It's made by refining sugar cane or sugar beet juice into a syrup, then treating it with acid to "invert" the sugars (breaking sucrose into glucose and fructose). This inversion prevents crystallization and creates its distinctive buttery, caramel flavour that's milder than treacle or molasses.

Common Uses in Baking & Cooking

Golden syrup is essential in British classics: treacle tart, flapjacks (oat bars), gingerbread, and brandy snaps. It's used as a topping for porridge and pancakes. In baking, it adds moisture, chewiness, and a distinctive caramel sweetness without the bitterness of molasses. It's the best substitute for corn syrup in American recipes and works well in pecan pie and caramel sauces. If you need a substitute, see our Golden Syrup substitution guide.

Storage and Handling Tips

Store golden syrup at room temperature in its original tin or a tightly sealed container. It has an almost indefinite shelf life — unlike honey, it won't crystallize due to its inverted sugar structure. If it thickens over time, warm it gently in a water bath or microwave. Keep away from direct sunlight. The iconic Lyle's green and gold tin is designed to prevent light damage.

Need to convert golden syrup to other units? Try our cups to grams converter or tablespoons to grams converter.

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Golden Syrup Conversion Table

Amount	Grams	Ounces
1 teaspoon	7.08g	0.25 oz
1 tablespoon	21.3g	0.75 oz
¼ cup	85g	3 oz
⅓ cup	113g	4 oz
½ cup	170g	6 oz
⅔ cup	227g	8 oz
¾ cup	255g	8.99 oz
1 cup	340g	12 oz
1½ cups	510g	18 oz
2 cups	680g	24 oz

Golden Syrup — US, Metric & UK Cup Conversions

Cup sizes vary by country. This table shows how much golden syrup 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	85g	89.8g	102g
⅓ cup	113g	120g	136g
½ cup	170g	180g	204g
⅔ cup	227g	240g	272g
¾ cup	255g	269g	306g
1 cup	340g	359g	408g
1½ cups	510g	539g	612g
2 cups	680g	719g	817g

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.

Need a Substitute?

Out of golden syrup? We've got 3 tested alternatives with exact ratios.

Honey(1:1)

Maple Syrup(1:1)

Treacle (light)(1:1)

See all alternatives for Golden Syrup →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute golden syrup for corn syrup?▼

Yes, golden syrup is the best substitute for corn syrup — use equal amounts. Both are inverted sugar syrups that prevent crystallization in candy and add moisture to baked goods. Golden syrup has more flavour (buttery, caramel notes) while corn syrup is neutral. For pecan pie and candy-making, the substitution works perfectly. The slight flavour difference is usually an improvement.

What's the difference between golden syrup and treacle?▼

Golden syrup is light amber with a mild, buttery caramel flavour. Treacle (black treacle) is very dark with a strong, slightly bitter molasses-like flavour. They're made similarly but treacle retains more molasses. Golden syrup is used when you want sweetness without strong flavour; treacle is used when you want that distinctive dark, rich taste (like in treacle tart, confusingly named, or parkin).

Can I substitute honey for golden syrup?▼

Yes, honey can substitute 1:1 for golden syrup, but expect flavour differences. Honey has a distinct floral taste that will come through, while golden syrup is more neutrally sweet with caramel notes. Honey may crystallize in storage while golden syrup won't. For treacle tart and flapjacks where golden syrup flavour is key, the substitution changes the character of the dish.

How many grams in 1 cup of golden syrup?▼

One US cup of golden syrup weighs approximately 340 grams. One tablespoon is about 21g. In a metric cup (250ml), it's about 358g. In a UK Imperial cup (284ml), it's about 407g. A standard Lyle's tin (454g) contains about 1⅓ cups.

Why is Lyle's Golden Syrup tin so famous?▼

Lyle's Golden Syrup, first sold in 1881, holds the Guinness World Record for the world's oldest unchanged brand packaging. The distinctive green and gold tin features a dead lion with bees, referencing a Bible story (Samson and the lion). The design has remained essentially unchanged for over 140 years, making it an iconic piece of British food history.

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Related Converters

Cups to Grams Cups to Ounces Tablespoons to Grams Teaspoons to Grams

Values are approximate and can vary depending on how the ingredient is measured. For precision baking, we recommend using a digital kitchen scale.