A tablespoon of Diamond Crystal kosher salt weighs about 8 g, while a tablespoon of Morton kosher salt weighs about 16 g. That's the King Arthur Baking figure for kosher salt grams per tablespoon, and it means Morton puts nearly twice as much salt in the same spoon.
| Amount | Diamond Crystal | Morton kosher | Table salt |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 tsp | 0.7 g | 1.3 g | 1.5 g |
| 1/2 tsp | 1.3 g | 2.7 g | 3 g |
| 1 tsp | 2.7 g | 5.3 g | 6 g |
| 1 tbsp | 8 g | 16 g | 18 g |
| 2 tbsp | 16 g | 32 g | 36 g |
| 1/4 cup | 32 g | 64 g | 72 g |
Table salt is included for comparison. All three columns are worked out from the King Arthur Baking ingredient weight chart.
Why two kosher salts weigh so differently
Both are pure salt, so gram for gram they taste equally salty. The difference is the crystal. Diamond Crystal makes light, hollow, flaky crystals that stack loosely with lots of air in between. Morton presses its salt into denser, flatter flakes that pack more tightly. Fill the same spoon with each and the Morton spoon holds far more salt.
The brand labels tell the same story. Diamond Crystal lists 1/4 tsp at 0.7 g, which works out to about 8.4 g per tablespoon. Morton kosher lists 1/4 tsp at 1.2 g, about 14.4 g per tablespoon. That's a bit lower than King Arthur's 16 g, so think of Morton as 14 to 16 g per tablespoon depending on how you scoop.
Swapping brands: kosher salt grams per tablespoon in practice
Many recipe writers say which kosher salt they used. If yours is different, convert by weight:
- Recipe says 1 tbsp Diamond Crystal (8 g). Use about 1 1/2 tsp Morton kosher, or 1 1/3 tsp table salt.
- Recipe says 1 tbsp Morton kosher (16 g). Use 2 tbsp Diamond Crystal.
- Recipe says 2 tsp Diamond Crystal (about 5.3 g). Use 1 tsp Morton kosher, which is about the same weight.
If a recipe just says "kosher salt" with no brand, start with less. You can always add more, but you can't take it out. Better yet, look for a gram amount in the recipe and weigh it.
How to salt by weight
- Zero your scale with the bowl or spoon on it.
- Add salt in small amounts until you hit the target weight.
- Write the gram amount next to the recipe so you never have to convert again.
- Taste near the end and adjust, since stock, cheese and cured meats bring their own salt.
Weighing also matters for things like dry brining and bread, where the salt is often given as a share of the main ingredient's weight. A spoon can't do that math for you, but a scale can.
Common kosher salt mistakes
Using a Diamond Crystal recipe with Morton. This is the classic way to oversalt. Spoon for spoon you'd be adding nearly double.
Pinching by feel. A pinch of Diamond Crystal and a pinch of Morton feel similar in your fingers but weigh different amounts.
Assuming all kosher salt is the same. Other brands and store brands have their own crystal shapes, so weigh a level tablespoon of yours once and note it.
A practical tip: a MeasureMate digital measuring spoon scoops and weighs in one step, with a display that reads in 0.1 g steps. Scoop your salt, tare, and you'll see the real weight of your brand instead of guessing.
Quick questions
Is Diamond Crystal or Morton saltier?
By weight they're the same. By the spoon, Morton is saltier because a tablespoon holds about twice the grams.
Can I use table salt instead of kosher salt?
Yes, but use less. Table salt is about 18 g per tablespoon, so match the gram amount rather than the spoon count.
How many grams is a teaspoon of kosher salt?
About 2.7 g for Diamond Crystal and about 5.3 g for Morton kosher, based on the King Arthur chart.
Weights based on the King Arthur Baking ingredient weight chart and the Diamond Crystal and Morton kosher salt nutrition labels.