Why sugar type changes the weight so much
Granulated sugar's crystal size and shape pack fairly consistently, landing around 200g per cup. Brown sugar contains molasses, which makes it clump and stick together — recipes specifically call for "packed" brown sugar because an unpacked cup would be inconsistently light and airy, while packing firmly gives a repeatable 220g per cup. Powdered (confectioners') sugar is ground extremely fine and aerated, so it's much lighter by volume than granulated — about 120g per cup, despite being the "same" sugar chemically.
"Packed" vs. "not packed" — what it actually means
When a recipe says "1 cup packed brown sugar," it means pressing the sugar firmly into the measuring cup with the back of a spoon until it holds the cup's shape when turned out — this is the standard assumption unless a recipe explicitly says "unpacked" or "loosely filled," which is rare.
Quick reference chart
| Type | 1 cup | ½ cup |
|---|---|---|
| Granulated | 200g | 100g |
| Brown (packed) | 220g | 110g |
| Powdered | 120g | 60g |
FAQ
Can I substitute powdered sugar for granulated by weight? Not directly for most recipes — powdered sugar contains cornstarch and dissolves differently, changing texture. Use our sugar substitute calculator for proper swap ratios.
Does sifting powdered sugar change the weight? Yes — sifted powdered sugar is even lighter by volume than unsifted, since sifting adds air. Recipes calling for "sifted" vs. "unsifted" are accounting for this.