There are about 227 grams in a cup of milk, according to the King Arthur Baking ingredient weight chart. USDA FoodData Central lists a cup of whole milk at 244 g, so depending on the source you'll see anything from 227 to 244 g.
| Amount | Milk (grams) |
|---|---|
| 1/4 tsp | 1.2 g |
| 1/2 tsp | 2.4 g |
| 1 tsp | 4.7 g |
| 1 tbsp | 14.2 g |
| 1/4 cup | 57 g |
| 1/3 cup | 76 g |
| 1/2 cup | 114 g |
| 1 cup | 227 g |
The chart uses King Arthur's 227 g per cup, divided down (1 cup = 16 tbsp, 1 tbsp = 3 tsp). King Arthur uses the same 227 g for heavy cream, light cream and half and half, which makes it easy to remember.
Why sources disagree on the grams in a cup of milk
A 17 g gap between two trusted sources looks odd at first. Here's what's going on:
- Different purposes. King Arthur's chart is built for baking and lists fresh milk at 227 g, which is 8 oz by weight. USDA's figure comes from food composition data and reflects a cup of whole milk measured for that database.
- Milk is denser than water. Milk carries proteins, sugar and minerals, so a cup weighs a bit more than the same cup of water. USDA's 244 g reflects that.
- How full the cup is. A liquid measuring cup read from above instead of at eye level can be off by a tablespoon or more.
- Foam and temperature. Freshly shaken or warmed milk can carry bubbles, which take up space without adding weight.
Which number should you use? If a recipe gives grams, use the recipe's number. If you're converting a cup measure yourself, King Arthur's 227 g works well for baking. Just stay consistent so your results match from batch to batch.
How to weigh milk without a measuring cup
- Put your mixing bowl on the scale.
- Press tare so it reads zero.
- Pour milk straight from the carton until you hit your target, for example 114 g for 1/2 cup.
- Tare again and add the next wet ingredient to the same bowl.
This saves you a measuring cup and the guesswork of reading the line. It's especially handy for odd amounts like 1/3 cup, which is about 76 g.
Milk by weight in real recipes
- Pancakes. A batter that calls for 1 1/2 cups of milk needs about 341 g using the 227 g cup.
- Muffins. 3/4 cup is about 170 g.
- Mashed potatoes. 1/2 cup warm milk is about 114 g. Weighing it lets you repeat a texture you liked.
- Coffee. A splash in your mug might be only a tablespoon or two, about 14 to 28 g.
For a deeper look at why grams beat cups in baking, read why measuring ingredients by weight can improve baking consistency.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating milk as water. A cup of water is about 237 g, so the numbers aren't interchangeable.
- Mixing sources in one recipe. Pick one conversion and use it throughout.
- Forgetting the bowl's weight. Always tare first.
For the small stuff, like a tablespoon of milk in an egg wash, a MeasureMate digital measuring spoon is a practical shortcut. It scoops and weighs in one step, reads in 0.1 g steps and weighs up to 500 g, and the tare button zeroes it between ingredients.
Quick questions
How many grams is 1/2 cup of milk?
About 114 g using King Arthur's 227 g cup, or about 122 g using USDA's whole milk figure.
How many grams is a tablespoon of milk?
About 14.2 g, based on 227 g per cup divided by 16.
Does skim milk weigh the same as whole milk?
King Arthur Baking uses a single 227 g figure for fresh milk, so for baking you can use it for any type.
Weights based on the King Arthur Baking ingredient weight chart and USDA FoodData Central.