Tablespoons to Grams by Ingredient
Tablespoons to grams is the conversion for smaller quantities where accuracy can make or break a recipe. A tablespoon of butter, a tablespoon of honey, a tablespoon of cocoa powder - these all weigh different amounts, and at small volumes even a slight difference in density matters more. This comes up most in baking, sauces, and dressings where ingredients are measured in tablespoons rather than cups. For example, 1 tablespoon of wheat bran is 3.63 g, while 1 tablespoon of honey is 21.25 g. Choose your ingredient below.
Flours
A tablespoon of flour seems small, but the density difference between types still matters. All-purpose flour is about 7.8g per tablespoon, while coconut flour is 8g and almond flour is only 6g. For recipes that call for "a tablespoon of flour" as a thickener, the type matters.
Sugars
Sugar tablespoon weights are more consistent than flour because the crystals pack evenly. A tablespoon of granulated sugar is about 12.5g. Brown sugar should be lightly packed in the spoon for an accurate conversion.
Liquids
Liquid tablespoon conversions are useful for dressings, marinades, and sauces. Oil is lighter per tablespoon than honey or syrup. At the tablespoon scale, the difference between ingredients is smaller in absolute grams but can still matter for flavor balance.
Dairy & Fats
Butter is the most common dairy ingredient measured in tablespoons. One tablespoon of butter is 14.2g. For cream cheese, sour cream, and yogurt, a tablespoon conversion is useful for recipes that need precise small amounts.
Grains & Starches
Grains are rarely measured by the tablespoon in recipes, but it comes up when adding small amounts of oats, quinoa, or cornmeal to porridges, batters, or toppings. A tablespoon of rolled oats weighs about 5.6g.
Nuts & Seeds
Nut butters are commonly measured in tablespoons. A tablespoon of peanut butter weighs about 16g. For chopped nuts used as toppings or mix-ins, the weight per tablespoon depends on how finely they are chopped.
Cocoa & Chocolate
A tablespoon of cocoa powder weighs only about 5.4g because it is so light and airy. Overpacking cocoa by scooping rather than spooning can easily double the actual amount.
Seasonings & Leaveners
Leaveners measured in tablespoons include baking powder, baking soda, and some salt measurements for brines or large batches. At this scale, the density difference between brands is significant. A tablespoon of Morton kosher salt weighs nearly twice as much as Diamond Crystal.
Legumes
Dry legumes are dense and consistent. These conversions are for uncooked dry legumes.
Produce & Purees
Tablespoon measurements for produce typically apply to pastes, concentrates, and purees. A tablespoon of tomato paste weighs about 16g. For minced garlic or ginger, the weight depends on how finely it is chopped.
Eggs
Egg whites and yolks measured as liquid. Cup measurements are useful for large batches.
Dried Fruits
Small dried fruits like raisins or cranberries are sometimes added by the tablespoon as toppings or mix-ins. A tablespoon of raisins weighs about 9g.
Related Conversions
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the ingredient. A tablespoon of butter is 14.2g, a tablespoon of flour is about 7.8g, and a tablespoon of honey is about 21g. There is no single answer because each ingredient has a different density.
Cocoa powder is extremely light and airy. It has a low density, meaning a tablespoon holds very little weight. Compacting it by scooping can significantly increase the weight, which is why spooning into the measure is important.
A US tablespoon is 14.79 ml. An Australian tablespoon is 20 ml, which is about 35% larger. If your recipe is from Australia, keep this difference in mind. Most other countries use the 15 ml standard, which is very close to US.