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How Much Is 5 Pounds of Powdered Sugar in Cups?

Converting 5 pounds of powdered sugar to cups gives 18.90 cups. First convert to grams (5 lb = 2,267.96g), then divide by the density of powdered sugar (120g per cup). Each ingredient fills a different volume at the same weight.

5 pounds of powdered sugar
=
18.90cups
Result using all cup standards info
18.90 cups (US) 17.89 cups (Metric Cup) 15.74 cups (Imperial Cup)
18.90

Formula and Step-by-Step

(pounds × 453.59g/lb) ÷ 120g/cup = cups
  1. Start with 5 pounds of powdered sugar
  2. Convert pounds to grams: 5 × 453.59 = 2,267.96g
  3. 1 cup of powdered sugar = 120g
  4. 2,267.96g ÷ 120g/cup = 18.90 cups

The same formula works for any amount. Multiply (or divide) by the density, then convert units as needed.

Measuring Tip

Powdered sugar clumps easily. Sift before measuring by volume, or weigh to avoid the sifted-vs-unsifted ambiguity entirely.

Powdered Sugar at Different Amounts

How powdered sugar scales across common pounds measurements. Your amount (5 pounds) is highlighted.

0.75 lb2.83 cups1 lb3.78 cups1.5 lb5.67 cups2 lb7.56 cups3 lb11.34 cups4 lb15.12 cups5 lb18.90 cups10 lb37.80 cups

Other Amounts of Powdered Sugar

Pounds US Cups Metric Cup Imperial Cup
0.25 pounds 0.94 cups 0.89 cups 0.79 cups
0.5 pounds 1.89 cups 1.79 cups 1.57 cups
0.75 pounds 2.83 cups 2.68 cups 2.36 cups
1 pound 3.78 cups 3.58 cups 3.15 cups
1.5 pounds 5.67 cups 5.37 cups 4.72 cups
2 pounds 7.56 cups 7.15 cups 6.29 cups
3 pounds 11.34 cups 10.73 cups 9.44 cups
4 pounds 15.12 cups 14.31 cups 12.59 cups
5 pounds 18.90 cups 17.89 cups 15.74 cups
10 pounds 37.80 cups 35.77 cups 31.47 cups

Understanding the Units

What is a Pound?

A pound (lb) is a US customary unit of weight equal to 453.592 grams or 16 ounces. It is used for larger quantities of ingredients like flour, sugar, and meat.

What is a Cup?

The US cup (236.588 ml) is slightly smaller than the metric cup used in Australia and some other countries (250 ml). When following recipes from different countries, check which cup standard is being used.

Frequently Asked Questions

About 18.90 cups, based on powdered sugar having a density of 120g per cup. The exact amount depends on how the ingredient is measured and the specific product.
First convert pounds to grams (1 pound = 453.592g), then divide by 120 (grams per cup). For 5 pounds: 5 × 453.592 = 2,267.96g, then 2,267.96 ÷ 120 = 18.90 cups.
For the most accurate results, weigh powdered sugar on a kitchen scale. If measuring by volume, spoon the ingredient into the measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge rather than scooping directly.
Granulated and powdered sugars should be spooned into the measuring cup and leveled off. Do not pack them unless the recipe specifically says to.
Reverse the conversion: 18.90 cups × 120g/cup = 2,267.96g, then 2,267.96g ÷ 453.592 = 5 pounds. Or use the Cups to Pounds converter.