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1 US Cup Powdered / Confectioners' Sugar = 120g

1 US Cup of powdered / confectioners' sugar weighs 120 grams (4.23 ounces or 0.26 pounds; 236.6 mL or 16 tablespoons in volume) when measured unsifted spooned at a verified bulk density of 120g per 236.6 mL US Customary cup.

Imperial weight: 4.23 oz (0.26 lb) • Volume: 236.6 mL (16 tbsp)

Batch
Measuring density
Converted Measure
1 US cup Powdered / Confectioners' Sugar (unsifted spooned) =
120 g
Physical scoop breakdown1.00 cup
1 cup
Edit either side to reversePowdered Sugar chart →
Grams
120 g
Ounces
4.23 oz
US Cups
1 cup
Metric (250mL)
0.95 c
Tablespoons
16 tbsp
Milliliters
236.6 mL

Kitchen note: Test-kitchen baseline uses unsifted spooned (120g/cup). Switching to sifted (100g/cup) changes each cup by 20g—use the packing toggle on the scale bench to match your recipe.

Batch Scaling Around 1 US Cup Powdered / Confectioners' Sugar

Batch scaling conversion table around 1 US Cup of Powdered / Confectioners' Sugar (0.5× to 3× recipe batches in grams, ounces, US cups, and milliliters)
Batch Scale Weight (g / oz) US Cups & Spoons Metric (mL)
Half Batch (0.5×) 60g (2.12 oz) ½ cup 118.3 mL
Standard (1×) 120g (4.23 oz) 1 cup 236.6 mL
1.5× Batch 180g (6.35 oz) 1 ½ cups 354.9 mL
Double Batch (2×) 240g (8.47 oz) 2 cups 473.2 mL
Triple Batch (3×) 360g (12.7 oz) 3 cups 709.8 mL

Measuring 1 US Cup of Powdered / Confectioners' Sugar in the Kitchen

Measured unsifted spooned at a verified bulk density of 120g per US cup, 1 US cup of powdered / confectioners' sugar weighs 120 grams (4.23 ounces). Measured using the sifted method (100g/cup), that same 1 cup holds 100g — a 20g difference in your mixing bowl.

Spoon gently into the measuring cup and level flat. If your recipe calls for sifted powdered sugar, measure after sifting (100g/cup) or weigh directly.

Source note: USDA FoodData Central #169658 & Domino Confectioners 10-X specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How many grams is 1 cup of powdered / confectioners' sugar? ▾

1 US Cup of powdered / confectioners' sugar measured unsifted spooned weighs 120 grams (4.23 ounces).

Why does powdered sugar contain cornstarch? ▾

Commercial confectioners sugar contains about 3% cornstarch as an anti-caking agent to prevent the microscopic particles from clumping.

Why do recipes specify sifted versus unsifted powdered sugar? ▾

Sifted powdered sugar traps significant air, dropping cup weight from 120g down to 100g—a 20% reduction in sweetness.