A recipe calls for 1/2 cup oil — how many grams is that?

1/2 cup × 218 g ≈ 109 g. Oil measures reliably by volume, so if you don't have a scale, the cup measurement alone is accurate.

Why does oil weigh less than the same volume of water?

Oil molecules are less densely packed than water molecules, giving oil a lower density overall (about 0.92 g/ml versus water's roughly 1.0 g/ml) — which is also why oil floats on top of water rather than mixing with it.

Vegetable Oil: Cups to Grams Converter

Convert vegetable oil between cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, milliliters, grams, and ounces.

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Vegetable Oil: 218 Grams

Vegetable oil is lighter than water by volume, weighing about 218 g per cup compared to water's 237 g, because oils are less dense than water and float on it. Oil measures very consistently by volume since it has no air pockets or compaction issues — a cup of oil reliably weighs the same regardless of how it's poured.

Common Amounts

Vegetable Oil cups to grams
Cups	Grams
1/4 cups	54 g
1/3 cups	73 g
1/2 cups	109 g
3/4 cups	164 g
1 cup	218 g
2 cups	436 g

Frequently Asked Questions

Last reviewed: 2026-06-11 · Source: USDA FoodData Central / King Arthur Baking ingredient weight charts · see our methodology

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Vegetable Oil: Cups to Grams Converter

Common Amounts

Frequently Asked Questions

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