A measuring cup is a kitchen tool used to measure out standardized amounts of liquid and dry ingredients for cooking and baking recipes. But how much does a measuring cup actually weigh? The answer depends on the size and material of the measuring cup, as well as the density of the ingredient being measured.
Standard Measuring Cup Sizes
There are several standard sizes of measuring cups used in most kitchens:
1 cup
A 1 cup measuring cup holds exactly 236.588 ml or 8 fl oz of liquid or dry ingredients. This is equivalent to:
– 16 tablespoons
– 48 teaspoons
– 1/2 pint
– 1/4 quart
1/2 cup
A 1/2 cup measuring cup holds exactly 118.294 ml or 4 fl oz. This is equivalent to:
– 8 tablespoons
– 24 teaspoons
– 1/8 quart
1/3 cup
A 1/3 cup measuring cup holds exactly 78.863 ml. This is equivalent to:
– 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon
– 16 teaspoons
1/4 cup
A 1/4 cup measuring cup holds exactly 59.147 ml. This is equivalent to:
– 4 tablespoons
– 12 teaspoons
– 2 fl oz
Tablespoon
A tablespoon holds exactly 14.787 ml or 3 teaspoons.
Teaspoon
A teaspoon holds exactly 4.928 ml.
Measuring Cup Materials
Measuring cups come in a variety of materials, each with their own weight:
Plastic
Plastic measuring cups are lightweight and inexpensive. A 1-cup plastic measuring cup weighs approximately:
– 50 grams when empty
– 250 grams when full of water
Glass
Glass measuring cups are heavier but more durable than plastic. A 1-cup glass measuring cup weighs approximately:
– 150 grams when empty
– 400 grams when full of water
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel measuring cups are very durable but heavier than plastic or glass. A 1-cup stainless steel measuring cup weighs approximately:
– 200 grams when empty
– 450 grams when full of water
Weight of Dry vs Liquid Ingredients
The weight of a measuring cup depends not only on the size and material, but also on the density of the ingredient being measured.
For example, 1 cup of water weighs:
– 236 grams or 0.236 kg
But 1 cup of flour weighs:
– 120 grams or 0.12 kg
This is because flour is less dense than water. Other common ingredient weights for a 1 cup measuring cup include:
Sugar
– 200 grams or 0.2 kg
Rice
– 180 grams or 0.18 kg
Oil
– 210 grams or 0.21 kg
Milk
– 244 grams or 0.244 kg
Weight of Measuring Cups by Size
Here is a table summarizing the approximate weight in grams and kilograms of common measuring cup sizes, when empty and filled with water:
| Measuring Cup Size | Empty Weight (grams) | Full of Water Weight (grams) | Full of Water Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 100 | 340 | 0.34 |
| 1/2 cup | 50 | 170 | 0.17 |
| 1/3 cup | 35 | 115 | 0.115 |
| 1/4 cup | 25 | 85 | 0.085 |
As you can see, a standard 1 cup measuring cup holds about 1/3 of a kg of water or other liquid ingredients. The exact weight varies greatly depending on the material, size, and ingredients being measured.
Conclusion
To summarize, the weight of a measuring cup depends on:
Measuring cup size
– Smaller cups weigh less than larger cups
Measuring cup material
– Glass and stainless steel weigh more than plastic
Ingredient being measured
– Dense ingredients like water weigh more than less dense ingredients like flour
But in general, a standard 1 cup measuring cup holds approximately 1/3 kg or 100-200 grams empty, and 300-400 grams when filled with water or other liquid ingredients. Being familiar with these approximate weights can be handy for kitchen tasks like scaling recipes up or down.
