There are about 12.5 to 14 grams in a tablespoon of oil, depending on the oil and whose numbers you use. The King Arthur Baking ingredient weight chart works out to about 12.4 g for vegetable oil and 12.5 g for olive oil, while USDA FoodData Central lists a tablespoon of coconut oil at 13.6 g.
| Amount | Vegetable oil | Olive oil | Coconut oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tsp | 4.1 g | 4.2 g | 4.7 g |
| 1 tbsp | 12.4 g | 12.5 g | 14.1 g |
| 1/4 cup | 49.5 g | 50 g | 56.5 g |
| 1/2 cup | 99 g | 100 g | 113 g |
| 1 cup | 198 g | 200 g | 226 g |
The table is worked out from the King Arthur chart: 198 g per cup of vegetable oil, 50 g per 1/4 cup of olive oil and 113 g per 1/2 cup of coconut oil.
Why sources give different oil weights
Oil is lighter than water, so a tablespoon always weighs less than the roughly 14.8 g a tablespoon of water does. Beyond that, the published numbers don't agree perfectly. King Arthur's chart lands around 12.4 to 12.5 g per tablespoon for liquid oils, while USDA data puts olive oil closer to 14 g and coconut oil at 13.6 g.
Part of that gap is how the measuring is done. Oil forms a curved surface in a spoon, and a brimming spoon holds noticeably more than one that's filled just to the edge. Some oil also coats the spoon and never makes it into the pan. Temperature plays a part too, especially for coconut oil, which is solid at cool room temperature and liquid when warm. Solid coconut oil scooped into a spoon can trap air, so it may weigh a little less than melted.
The practical answer: for most cooking, the 1 to 2 g difference won't matter. For baking, use the gram amount the recipe gives, or pick one source and stick with it.
Grams in a tablespoon of oil by type
- Vegetable oil (canola and similar): about 12.4 g per King Arthur.
- Olive oil: about 12.5 g per King Arthur, about 14 g per USDA.
- Coconut oil: about 14.1 g per King Arthur, 13.6 g per USDA.
If you want one number to remember, 13 g sits in the middle and is fine for sauteing and roasting.
How to measure oil by weight
- Set your pan, bowl or dressing jar on the scale and press tare.
- Pour slowly from the bottle until you hit the target.
- For coconut oil, decide whether the recipe wants it solid or melted, then weigh it in that state.
Pouring straight onto the scale is faster than a spoon and leaves nothing behind. It's also much easier to clean up than an oily measuring cup.
Where weighing oil makes a difference
Cakes and muffins. Oil based cakes depend on the right amount of fat for moisture. A recipe calling for 1/2 cup of vegetable oil needs 99 g.
Roasting vegetables. 2 tbsp of olive oil is about 25 g by the King Arthur numbers. Weighing helps you repeat the same coating each time.
Converting recipes. If a recipe lists 100 g of oil, that's about 7 to 8 tbsp depending on which figure you use.
A practical tip: a MeasureMate digital measuring spoon scoops and weighs in one step, which is handy for a teaspoon of sesame oil or a tablespoon of olive oil for a dressing. Press tare, dip, and read the weight in 0.1 g steps.
Quick questions
Is a tablespoon of oil 15 grams?
No, it's less. Oil is lighter than water, so a tablespoon weighs about 12.5 to 14 g.
Does olive oil weigh more than vegetable oil?
They're very close. King Arthur lists olive oil at 50 g per 1/4 cup and vegetable oil at 198 g per cup, so the difference is tiny.
Should I measure coconut oil solid or melted?
Follow the recipe. By weight it doesn't matter, which is one more reason to use a scale.
Weights based on the King Arthur Baking ingredient weight chart and USDA FoodData Central.