1 tablespoon oil = 13.63 grams
Volume is only half the story. Vegetable oil weighs 218 g per US cup (liquid), so we convert with a tested, ingredient-specific factor instead of a generic table.
Vegetable oil cups to grams
Liquid · rounded for kitchen use
| Cups | Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| ¼ cup | 54.5 g | 1.922 oz |
| ⅓ cup | 72.66 g | 2.563 oz |
| ½ cup | 109 g | 3.845 oz |
| ⅔ cup | 145.34 g | 5.127 oz |
| ¾ cup | 163.5 g | 5.767 oz |
| 1 cup | 218 g | 7.69 oz |
| 1 ½ cups | 327 g | 11.53 oz |
| 2 cups | 436 g | 15.38 oz |
| 3 cups | 654 g | 23.07 oz |
Exact factor details
- Exact factor
- 1 cup = 218 g (liquid)
- Significant digits
- 3 significant figures for table display
- Data source
- USDA FoodData Central
Why oil conversions vary
Oil weighs less than water because it is less dense: a US cup of vegetable oil is about 218 g against water's 237 g. Swapping oil for melted butter by volume therefore adds more fat than intended — a common slip in quick breads. Weighing keeps the substitution honest, since most oils share a similar density.
Our factor for oil — 218 g per US cup — comes from USDA FoodData Central. Weighing beats measuring cups for repeatability: a scale gives the same result every time regardless of how the ingredient settled, and it scales recipes cleanly. Note that a US cup (236.6 ml) and a metric cup (250 ml) are not the same; recipes from outside North America may assume the metric size, which shifts every weight by about five percent.
The table below lists the amounts bakers actually reach for — quarters, thirds, and halves of a cup through three full cups — computed directly from the factor above. The converter handles any other amount instantly and uses the exact same number, so the quick reference and the live result can never drift apart.
Frequently asked questions
How much does 1 cup of oil weigh?
One US cup of vegetable oil weighs 218 g (liquid). This comes from USDA FoodData Central.
Why do some recipes list a different weight for oil?
Measuring conventions and brands differ, and packing changes the weight. We state our convention openly; when a recipe names its own gram value, follow that one for best results.
Should I measure oil by cups or by weight?
Weight, whenever the recipe allows. When substituting oil for butter, use about 80-85% of the butter's weight to keep the fat level equal.