Scale to GramsHow Much Does a Cup of Butter Weigh? Sticks, Grams & Tablespoons
The Simple Answer
One cup of butter weighs exactly 227 grams (8 ounces or half a pound). This is one of the easiest kitchen conversions because butter is standardized. In the US, butter is sold in one-pound boxes containing four individually wrapped sticks. Each stick weighs 113.5 grams (4 ounces) and equals half a cup. So one cup equals two sticks, and one pound equals four sticks or two cups. Unlike flour or sugar, where measuring method affects weight, butter is a solid block with consistent density. As long as you measure it correctly (packed firmly into the cup with no air gaps), the weight is always 227 grams.
Butter Conversion Chart
One tablespoon of butter weighs 14.2 grams (0.5 oz). Two tablespoons equal 28.4 grams (1 oz), which is also marked on most butter stick wrappers. One quarter cup (4 tablespoons) equals 56.7 grams or half a stick. One third cup equals 75.6 grams. One half cup (1 stick) equals 113.5 grams (4 oz). Two thirds cup equals 151.2 grams. Three quarters cup equals 170 grams. One cup (2 sticks) equals 227 grams (8 oz). Most US butter stick wrappers have tablespoon markings printed on the outside, making it easy to cut exact portions without a scale. European butter is sold in different formats — typically 250g blocks — and does not have these markings.
Butter Calories and Nutrition
Butter is one of the most calorie-dense common foods at 717 calories per 100 grams. One cup (227g) of butter contains a staggering 1,628 calories. One tablespoon (14g) has about 102 calories. One stick (113g) has 810 calories. The macros are almost entirely fat: one cup provides 184 grams of fat (115g saturated), 2.4g of carbohydrates, and 1.9g of protein. For baking, the calorie cost of butter is typically divided across the entire recipe — a cake using one cup of butter might yield 12 slices, so each slice gets about 136 calories from butter alone. Substituting butter with lower-calorie alternatives (applesauce, Greek yogurt, or oil) can reduce fat and calories but affects texture and flavor significantly.
Measuring Butter Correctly
For solid cold butter, the stick markings are the most convenient measuring method — just cut at the line. For softened butter, pack it firmly into a dry measuring cup, pressing out all air pockets, and level the top with a knife. For melted butter, measure it as a liquid in a liquid measuring cup (the ones with a spout and markings on the side). Note that melted butter occupies the same volume as solid butter — one stick melted is still half a cup. For very precise baking (especially European recipes measured in grams), use a kitchen scale. Place a bowl on the scale, zero it, and add butter until you hit the target weight. This eliminates all measurement ambiguity.
European vs. US Butter
European-style butter has a higher butterfat content (82-86%) compared to standard US butter (80%). This higher fat content means European butter weighs slightly more per volume and produces richer, flakier pastries. If a European recipe calls for 250g of butter, that is approximately 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon of US butter. The flavor difference is noticeable in recipes where butter is the star — croissants, shortbread, pie crust, and butter sauces all benefit from higher-fat European butter. For everyday cooking and recipes where butter is one of many ingredients, standard US butter works perfectly. Regardless of type, the cup-to-gram conversion remains approximately the same because the density difference is minimal.
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