45 Grams of Powdered Sugar in Cups
45 grams of powdered sugar doesn't land on a clean fraction, so the result below is calculated exactly rather than rounded to a common measure. Based on a density of 120g per cup, it equals 0.38 cups.
- Cups (US Customary)
- 0.38 (⅜)
- Tablespoons
- 6.0
- Teaspoons
- 18.0
- Milliliters
- 89 ml
45 grams of powdered sugar = 0.38 cups (⅜ cup / 6.0 tbsp / 18.0 tsp)
Powdered Sugar has a density of approximately 120g per cup. Sifted: 100g. Unsifted and packed: up to 130g. Source: USDA FoodData Central. This is the figure used everywhere on this page, including the tablespoon and teaspoon values, so the numbers stay consistent whether you're reading the summary line, the table, or the FAQ answers below.
| Grams | Cups | Fraction | Tablespoons | Teaspoons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35g | 0.29 | ⅓ | 4.7 | 14.0 |
| 40g | 0.33 | ⅓ | 5.3 | 16.0 |
| 45g | 0.38 | ⅜ | 6.0 | 18.0 |
| 50g | 0.42 | ⅜ | 6.7 | 20.0 |
| 55g | 0.46 | ½ | 7.3 | 22.0 |
How 45g Converts, Step by Step
45g divided by 120g (the weight of one cup of powdered sugar) equals 0.38 cups. Multiplying that by 16 gives 6.0 tablespoons, and by 48 gives 18.0 teaspoons, since one cup always equals 16 tablespoons or 48 teaspoons regardless of the ingredient.
Powdered Sugar is lighter than water, which weighs about 236g per cup. That's why 45g of powdered sugar takes up more volume (89ml) than the same weight of water would (45ml). For a side-by-side look at how other ingredients compare, see the 45 grams to cups page.
If You're Using a Metric or Imperial Cup
The 0.38 cup figure above uses the US Customary cup (236.588ml). Recipes written outside the US sometimes use a metric cup (250ml) or an imperial (uk) cup (284.131ml) instead. At 45g, that's ⅜ metric cups or ⅓ imperial cups of powdered sugar, close to the US figure but not identical. The cup standard switch in the converter above recalculates this instantly for any gram amount.
Scaling This 45g Amount
Doubling a recipe that calls for 45g of powdered sugar means weighing 90g, or measuring 0.75 cups if you're working by volume instead of weight. Halving it means 22.5g, or 0.19 cups. Weight scales exactly with simple multiplication; cup measurements compound any scooping error each time they're doubled or halved, so weighing is more reliable the more a recipe is scaled.
Powdered Sugar Next to Other Sugars & Sweeteners
Within sugars & sweeteners, density still varies by ingredient. At 45g, granulated sugar (200g per cup) measures ¼ cup, while brown sugar (220g per cup) measures ¼ cup, compared to ⅜ cup for powdered sugar. Swapping ingredients in a recipe by cup measurement alone, without adjusting for this difference, changes the actual weight used.
Where This Amount Shows Up in Recipes
- A basic buttercream frosting typically uses 400g to 500g of powdered sugar.
- Glazes for donuts or scones often call for 120g.
- Dusting a finished cake usually takes just 15g to 30g.
Measuring This Precisely
Sugars & Sweeteners
Granulated sugar should be spooned and leveled. Brown sugar should be pressed firmly until it holds the cup's shape when turned out.
For exact results
Powdered sugar clumps easily during storage, so sifting it before measuring gives a more consistent, lump-free result. Liquid sweeteners like honey and maple syrup should be measured in a liquid cup and poured slowly to avoid trapping air bubbles.
For every gram amount at once, the powdered sugar conversion chart lists powdered sugar across the full range from 1g to 1000g in one table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 45 grams of powdered sugar in cups exactly?+
45 grams of powdered sugar equals 0.38 cups, based on a density of 120g per cup.
Why doesn't 45g of powdered sugar match a simple fraction?+
45g isn't a multiple of powdered sugar's per-cup weight, so the cup value lands between common fractions. The closest practical measure is ⅜ cup.
What's the most reliable way to measure 45g of powdered sugar?+
A kitchen scale set to grams gives an exact 45g reading. Cups only approximate this amount, since ⅜ cup rounds to the nearest practical fraction.
Is 45g likely a typo for a rounder amount?+
Possibly, if a recipe seems to expect a cleaner number. Check the nearby amounts table below for the closest common gram values for powdered sugar.