Cake flour is a finely milled, lower-protein flour used when a soft, tender crumb matters. It is common in layer cakes, cupcakes, sponge cakes, chiffon cakes, angel food cake, and some pastry recipes.
Because cake flour is light and easy to compact, cup measurements can vary from one baker to another. Using grams gives you a more consistent flour amount and helps prevent dry, dense, or tough cakes.
Quick Cake Flour Conversion Reference
These common cake flour measurements are based on 1 cup = 115g. Use them for quick recipe checks before using the full chart below.
Cake Flour Cups to Grams Conversion Chart
Use this chart when a recipe lists cake flour in cups and you want to measure it in grams. The grams are based on 1 cup of cake flour = 115g. Tablespoons and teaspoons are included as helpful references for smaller measurements.
| Cups | Grams | Tablespoons | Teaspoons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 cup | 14g | 2 tbsp | 6 tsp |
| 1/4 cup | 29g | 4 tbsp | 12 tsp |
| 1/3 cup | 38g | 5.3 tbsp | 16 tsp |
| 1/2 cup | 58g | 8 tbsp | 24 tsp |
| 2/3 cup | 77g | 10.7 tbsp | 32 tsp |
| 3/4 cup | 86g | 12 tbsp | 36 tsp |
| 1 cup | 115g | 16 tbsp | 48 tsp |
| 1.25 cups | 144g | 20 tbsp | 60 tsp |
| 1.5 cups | 173g | 24 tbsp | 72 tsp |
| 1.75 cups | 201g | 28 tbsp | 84 tsp |
| 2 cups | 230g | 32 tbsp | 96 tsp |
| 2.5 cups | 288g | 40 tbsp | 120 tsp |
| 3 cups | 345g | 48 tbsp | 144 tsp |
| 4 cups | 460g | 64 tbsp | 192 tsp |
| 5 cups | 575g | 80 tbsp | 240 tsp |
Cake Flour Grams to Cups Conversion Chart
Use this chart when your recipe gives cake flour in grams but you want to understand the approximate cup measurement. To calculate cake flour grams to cups, divide the grams by 115. For example, 100g of cake flour is about 0.87 cups.
| Grams | Cups | Tablespoons | Teaspoons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10g | 0.09 cups | 1.4 tbsp | 4.2 tsp |
| 20g | 0.17 cups | 2.8 tbsp | 8.3 tsp |
| 25g | 0.22 cups | 3.5 tbsp | 10.4 tsp |
| 30g | 0.26 cups | 4.2 tbsp | 12.5 tsp |
| 40g | 0.35 cups | 5.6 tbsp | 16.7 tsp |
| 50g | 0.43 cups | 7 tbsp | 20.9 tsp |
| 75g | 0.65 cups | 10.4 tbsp | 31.3 tsp |
| 100g | 0.87 cups | 13.9 tbsp | 41.7 tsp |
| 125g | 1.09 cups | 17.4 tbsp | 52.2 tsp |
| 150g | 1.30 cups | 20.9 tbsp | 62.6 tsp |
| 175g | 1.52 cups | 24.3 tbsp | 73 tsp |
| 200g | 1.74 cups | 27.8 tbsp | 83.5 tsp |
| 225g | 1.96 cups | 31.3 tbsp | 93.9 tsp |
| 250g | 2.17 cups | 34.8 tbsp | 104.3 tsp |
| 300g | 2.61 cups | 41.7 tbsp | 125.2 tsp |
| 350g | 3.04 cups | 48.7 tbsp | 146.1 tsp |
| 400g | 3.48 cups | 55.7 tbsp | 167 tsp |
| 450g | 3.91 cups | 62.6 tbsp | 187.8 tsp |
| 500g | 4.35 cups | 69.6 tbsp | 208.7 tsp |
How to Convert Cake Flour Cups to Grams
To convert cake flour from cups to grams, multiply the number of cups by 115. This page uses 1 cup of cake flour = 115 grams, which is a practical average for everyday baking.
grams = cups x 115 For example, if a recipe calls for 2 cups of cake flour, the calculation is 2 x 115 = 230 grams. If it calls for 1/2 cup, the calculation is 0.5 x 115 = 58 grams.
How to Convert Cake Flour Grams to Cups
To convert cake flour from grams to cups, divide the gram amount by 115. This is useful when a recipe gives metric measurements but you want an approximate cup measurement.
cups = grams / 115 For example, 100g of cake flour is 100 / 115 = 0.87 cups. This is close to 13.9 tablespoons. Grams are still more reliable than cups because small measuring differences can change the texture of the final recipe.
Why Cake Flour Measurements Are Easy to Misjudge
Cake flour is very fine and light, so its volume can change a lot depending on whether it has been sifted, spooned, packed, or scooped. A packed cup of cake flour can add more flour than a delicate cake recipe needs.
Sifting is one of the biggest reasons cake flour measurements vary. A recipe that says sifted cake flour may produce a lighter cup than a recipe that says cake flour, sifted. This calculator uses 115g per cup as a practical average, but recipe wording still matters for very delicate cakes.
Best Way to Measure Cake Flour for Soft Cakes
For layer cakes, cupcakes, sponge cakes, and chiffon cakes, weighing cake flour in grams is the safest method. Place your mixing bowl on the scale, tare it to zero, then add cake flour until you reach the target weight.
If you do not have a scale, fluff the cake flour first, spoon it gently into the measuring cup, and level it with a straight edge. Do not tap the cup or press the flour down, because compacted cake flour can make the crumb dry or tight.
If the recipe specifically mentions sifting, follow the order carefully. Sift before measuring only when the recipe says sifted cake flour. If it says cake flour, sifted, measure first and sift afterward.
Cake Flour Baking Notes
Cake flour is designed for softer baked goods. Its lower protein content creates less gluten than bread flour or many all-purpose flours, which helps cakes bake up lighter and more tender.
Accurate measuring is especially useful for cake flour because too much flour can make cakes dry, dense, or crumbly. Too little flour can make the batter weak, causing cakes to sink, bake unevenly, or lose structure.
Many cake recipes also depend on careful mixing. Even with the right gram measurement, overmixing after flour is added can develop extra gluten and make the final crumb less tender.
Cake Flour vs All-Purpose Flour Weight
Cake flour is usually lighter by cup than bread flour and often slightly lighter than all-purpose flour. This calculator uses 115g per cup for cake flour, while all-purpose flour is often estimated around 120g to 125g per cup.
If a recipe specifically calls for cake flour, use the cake flour conversion instead of a general flour conversion. A difference of 10g per cup may seem small, but it can matter in delicate cakes and batters.
Store cake flour in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. If you sift cake flour before measuring, the cup may weigh less because sifting adds air and makes the flour lighter by volume.
If you do not have cake flour, many bakers use a substitute made from all-purpose flour and cornstarch. However, substitute blends may not weigh exactly the same as commercial cake flour, so use the recipe instructions when available.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grams in a cup of cake flour?
One cup of cake flour is approximately 115 grams. This converter uses 115g per cup as a practical average for cake flour cups to grams conversions.
How many cups is 100g of cake flour?
100 grams of cake flour is approximately 0.87 cups, or about 13.9 tablespoons. For delicate cakes, measuring 100g on a kitchen scale is more accurate than estimating with cups.
How many grams is 2 cups of cake flour?
Two cups of cake flour is approximately 230 grams. The calculation is 2 x 115 because this calculator uses 115g per cup of cake flour.
Is cake flour lighter than all-purpose flour?
Cake flour is often lighter by cup than all-purpose flour because it is finely milled and lower in protein. Cake flour is commonly estimated around 115g per cup, while all-purpose flour is often around 120g to 125g per cup.
Should cake flour be sifted before measuring?
Follow the wording in your recipe. If it says sifted cake flour, sift before measuring. If it says cake flour, sifted, measure first and then sift. Sifting changes how much flour fits into a cup.
How do I measure cake flour without a scale?
Use the spoon and level method. Gently spoon cake flour into a dry measuring cup, then level it with a straight edge. Avoid packing the flour or scooping directly from the bag.
Can I use this conversion for cupcakes?
Yes, this cake flour conversion works for cupcakes, layer cakes, sponge cakes, and similar recipes that call for cake flour. For best results, weigh the flour in grams.
Why do different sites show different gram values for cake flour?
Cake flour weights vary because brands, sifting, humidity, and measuring methods are different. Some references use 114g, some use 115g, and some use higher values. This calculator uses 115g per cup as a practical average.
Conclusion
For most cake recipes, you can estimate cake flour at 115 grams per cup. That means 1/2 cup is about 58g, 1 cup is 115g, and 2 cups is 230g. Cups are useful for quick estimates, but grams are better for tender cakes and consistent results.
Use the calculator above for quick conversions, then use the charts and measuring tips on this page when you need a complete cake flour reference.
More Flour Conversion Calculators
If your recipe uses a different flour, use the matching calculator because each flour has its own cup-to-gram weight and baking behavior. See the full category on the Food Conversion page.
Sugar Conversion Calculators
If your recipe also uses sugar, these cup-to-gram converters can help keep the whole recipe consistent.