How many cups in a pound?
1 lb flour ≈ 3.78 cups
sugar 2.29 · powdered sugar 4.01 · butter 2 · water 1.92 cups
Converter
Common amounts in oz (weight)
Other cup standards
Weight conversions use the ingredient table on the methodology page.
There is no single number of cups in a pound, because a pound is weight and a cup is volume. Light, airy ingredients take more cups: a pound of all-purpose flour is about 3 3/4 cups and a pound of powdered sugar about 4 cups. Dense ones take fewer: granulated sugar about 2 1/4 cups, butter exactly 2 cups and honey about 1 1/3 cups.
The chart below divides one pound (453.6 g) by the weight of a cup of each ingredient, filled the way the "How measured" column says. A cup of flour scooped straight from the bag holds more than one spooned in and leveled, so the cups per pound come out lower that way.
| Ingredient | Cups per pound | About | 1 cup weighs | How measured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water | 1.92 | ≈ 1 7/8 cups | 8.32 oz | liquid measuring cup |
| Milk | 2 | 2 cups | 8.01 oz | liquid measuring cup |
| All-purpose flour | 3.78 | ≈ 3 3/4 cups | 4.23 oz | spooned into the cup and leveled |
| Bread flour | 3.78 | ≈ 3 3/4 cups | 4.23 oz | spooned and leveled |
| Whole wheat flour | 4.01 | ≈ 4 cups | 3.99 oz | spooned and leveled |
| Granulated sugar | 2.29 | ≈ 2 1/4 cups | 6.98 oz | scooped and leveled |
| Brown sugar (packed) | 2.13 | ≈ 2 1/8 cups | 7.51 oz | packed firmly |
| Powdered (confectioners') sugar | 4.01 | ≈ 4 cups | 3.99 oz | spooned and leveled |
| Butter | 2 | 2 cups | 8 oz | cut at the Tbsp marks on the wrapper (1 stick = 1/2 cup) |
| Vegetable oil | 2.29 | ≈ 2 1/4 cups | 6.98 oz | liquid measuring cup |
| Honey | 1.35 | ≈ 1 1/3 cups | 11.85 oz | greased cup |
| Maple syrup | 1.45 | ≈ 1 1/2 cups | 11.01 oz | liquid measuring cup |
| Rolled oats | 5.1 | ≈ 5 1/8 cups | 3.14 oz | scooped and leveled |
| Long-grain rice (dry) | 2.29 | ≈ 2 1/4 cups | 6.98 oz | scooped and leveled |
| Chocolate chips | 2.67 | ≈ 2 2/3 cups | 6 oz | scooped and leveled |
| Cocoa powder (unsweetened) | 5.4 | ≈ 5 3/8 cups | 2.96 oz | spooned and leveled |
| Peanut butter | 1.68 | ≈ 1 2/3 cups | 9.52 oz | packed |
| Shredded cheese | 4.01 | ≈ 4 cups | 3.99 oz | loosely filled |
Source: King Arthur Baking — Ingredient Weight Chart (consulted 2026-10-28). Water computed from volume.
Bags and boxes
- 5 lb bag of all-purpose flour: about 19 cups (more on flour)
- 4 lb bag of granulated sugar: about 9 cups
- 2 lb bag of powdered sugar: about 8 cups
- 1 lb box of butter: 4 sticks, 2 cups
A pint is a pound?
The old rhyme "a pint's a pound the world around" holds only for water and similar liquids: a US pint of water (2 cups) weighs about 1.04 lb. For dry ingredients it is far off.
Questions
How many cups in a pound of flour?
About 3 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled.
How many cups in a pound of sugar?
About 2 1/4 cups of granulated sugar, or about 4 cups of powdered sugar.
How many cups in a pound of butter?
2 cups, which is 4 sticks.
How many cups is a pound of water?
About 1.9 cups (1 7/8 cups).
By Alton Vieira · Updated . Sources: US customary units: NIST Handbook 44 · ingredient weights: King Arthur Baking ingredient weight chart. How we calculate.