Converting teaspoons to grams isn’t straightforward because teaspoons measure volume whilst grams measure weight. Different ingredients have different densities, so one teaspoon of sugar weighs differently than one teaspoon of flour. This converter accounts for these differences to give you precise measurements for your recipes.
Teaspoon to Grams Converter
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Teaspoon to Gram Conversion Table
Here’s a handy reference table showing how different amounts of common ingredients convert from teaspoons to grams. All measurements assume level teaspoons, not heaped.
Ingredient
1 tsp
2 tsp
3 tsp (1 tbsp)
4 tsp
5 tsp
Granulated Sugar
4.2g
8.4g
12.6g
16.8g
21g
Table Salt
6g
12g
18g
24g
30g
Plain Flour
2.6g
5.2g
7.8g
10.4g
13g
Butter
4.7g
9.4g
14.1g
18.8g
23.5g
Baking Powder
4.8g
9.6g
14.4g
19.2g
24g
Honey
7.1g
14.2g
21.3g
28.4g
35.5g
Olive Oil
4.5g
9g
13.5g
18g
22.5g
Icing Sugar
2.4g
4.8g
7.2g
9.6g
12g
Conversion Formula
The basic formula for converting teaspoons to grams depends on the ingredient’s density. Here’s how it works:
Grams = Teaspoons × Density (g/tsp)
Since 1 UK teaspoon equals 5ml, you can also use this formula if you know the ingredient’s density in g/ml:
Grams = Teaspoons × 5 × Density (g/ml)
Conversion Steps
Step 1: Identify your ingredient and find its density value. Common ingredients have known densities that you can reference.
Step 2: Count how many teaspoons you need to convert. Make sure you’re using level teaspoons, not heaped.
Step 3: Multiply the number of teaspoons by the ingredient’s density in grams per teaspoon.
Step 4: Round to one decimal place for practical use in recipes. Most kitchen scales can’t measure beyond 1g accuracy anyway.
Ingredient Density Comparison
Understanding why different ingredients weigh differently helps you become a better cook. Density determines how much mass fits into a given volume. Here’s what one teaspoon weighs for various ingredients:
Honey
7.1g
Golden Syrup
6.6g
Treacle
6.5g
Table Salt
6.0g
Milk
5.1g
Water
5.0g
Double Cream
4.9g
Baking Powder
4.8g
Butter
4.7g
Brown Sugar
4.5g
Vegetable Oil
4.5g
Granulated Sugar
4.2g
Ground Cinnamon
3.5g
Baking Soda
3.0g
Dry Yeast
2.8g
Plain Flour
2.6g
Cocoa Powder
2.6g
Cornflour
2.5g
Icing Sugar
2.4g
UK vs US Measurement Differences
If you’re following American recipes, be aware that US and UK teaspoons differ slightly. A UK teaspoon holds 5ml, whilst a US teaspoon holds 4.93ml. For most home cooking, this 1.4% difference won’t matter much. But if you’re scaling up recipes or doing precise baking, it’s worth knowing.
British recipes traditionally used imperial teaspoons, which were larger at 5.92ml. Modern UK recipes use the metric teaspoon at 5ml. When you see “tsp” in contemporary British cookbooks, they mean the metric version.
Top Tip: Always use level teaspoons when measuring for conversions. Heaped teaspoons can contain 50-100% more ingredient, which throws off your measurements completely.
Related Volume Conversions
Teaspoons are just one part of volume measurement in cooking. Here’s how they relate to other common units you’ll encounter in recipes:
From
To
Conversion
1 teaspoon
millilitres
5ml
1 teaspoon
tablespoons
0.33 tbsp
3 teaspoons
tablespoons
1 tbsp
1 teaspoon
fluid ounces
0.18 fl oz
6 teaspoons
fluid ounces
1 fl oz
48 teaspoons
cups
1 cup
1 teaspoon
dessertspoon
0.5 dstspn
2 teaspoons
dessertspoon
1 dstspn
When to Weigh vs Measure
British bakers prefer weighing ingredients in grams because it’s more precise. Volume measurements like teaspoons work fine for small amounts of spices, leavening agents, or liquids. But for flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients in larger quantities, weighing is better.
Scooping flour with a cup or spoon can pack it down, giving you 20-30% more flour than intended. This ruins cakes and pastries. That’s why professional bakers always weigh flour. For tiny amounts like 1-2 teaspoons though, measuring spoons are perfectly fine.
Liquids are easier. One teaspoon of water weighs almost exactly 5g because water has a density of 1g/ml. Oils weigh slightly less at around 4.5g per teaspoon. Thick liquids like honey weigh more at 7g per teaspoon.
FAQs
How many grams are in a teaspoon of sugar?
One level teaspoon of granulated sugar weighs 4.2g. Brown sugar is slightly heavier at 4.5g per teaspoon because it’s more compact. Icing sugar is lighter at 2.4g per teaspoon because it’s fluffy and contains air pockets.
How many grams are in a teaspoon of salt?
Table salt weighs 6g per teaspoon. Sea salt can vary between 5-6g depending on the crystal size. Fine salt weighs more per teaspoon than coarse salt because the smaller crystals pack together more tightly.
Why do different ingredients weigh different amounts per teaspoon?
Density makes all the difference. A teaspoon measures volume (the space something takes up), whilst grams measure mass (how much matter is there). Dense ingredients like salt have more molecules packed into the same space, so they weigh more than light, airy ingredients like flour.
Should I use heaped or level teaspoons?
Always use level teaspoons unless the recipe specifically says heaped. Level means you fill the spoon and then run a knife across the top to remove excess. Heaped teaspoons contain significantly more ingredient and will throw off your recipe.
Can I convert tablespoons to grams the same way?
Yes, but multiply by 3 since one tablespoon equals three teaspoons. A tablespoon of sugar weighs about 12.6g, whilst a tablespoon of flour weighs about 7.8g. The same density principles apply.
Are UK and US teaspoons the same size?
Nearly, but not exactly. UK teaspoons hold 5ml whilst US teaspoons hold 4.93ml. That’s only a 1.4% difference, which rarely matters in everyday cooking. For very large batches or precision baking, you might notice the difference.
How do I measure butter in teaspoons?
One teaspoon of butter weighs 4.7g. If your butter is cold, it’s easier to measure by weight. Room temperature butter can be measured with a spoon. Push the butter into the spoon and level it off. Many British recipes use grams for butter rather than teaspoons.
What’s the most precise way to measure ingredients?
Use a digital kitchen scale that measures to 1g precision. Scales eliminate the variables that come with volume measurement. They’re especially important for baking, where ratios matter enormously. Volume measurements work fine for cooking where precision matters less.
How much does a teaspoon of baking powder weigh?
Baking powder weighs 4.8g per teaspoon. Baking soda is lighter at 3g per teaspoon. Don’t confuse the two in recipes as they work differently and aren’t interchangeable, despite both being leavening agents.
Can I use the same conversion for all types of flour?
Different flours have different densities. Plain flour weighs about 2.6g per teaspoon. Self-raising flour is similar. Wholemeal flour weighs slightly less at about 2.5g per teaspoon. The differences are small enough that they won’t matter for teaspoon quantities.
