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1 Tablespoon Light Brown Sugar = 12.5g

1 Tablespoon of light brown sugar weighs 12.5 grams (0.44 ounces or 0.03 pounds; 14.8 mL or 1 tablespoon in volume) when measured firmly packed at a verified bulk density of 200g per 236.6 mL US Customary cup.

Imperial weight: 0.44 oz (0.03 lb) • Volume: 14.8 mL (1 tbsp)

Batch
Measuring density
Converted Measure
1 tbsp Light Brown Sugar (firmly packed) =
12.5 g
Physical scoop breakdown0.06 cups
1 tbsp
Edit either side to reverseLight Brown Sugar chart →
Grams
12.5 g
Ounces
0.44 oz
US Cups
1 tbsp
Metric (250mL)
0.06 c
Tablespoons
1 tbsp
Milliliters
14.8 mL

Kitchen note: Test-kitchen baseline uses firmly packed (200g/cup). Switching to loosely spooned (unpacked) (145g/cup) changes each cup by 55g—use the packing toggle on the scale bench to match your recipe.

Batch Scaling Around 1 Tablespoon Light Brown Sugar

Batch scaling conversion table around 1 Tablespoon of Light Brown Sugar (0.5× to 3× recipe batches in grams, ounces, US cups, and milliliters)
Batch Scale Weight (g / oz) US Cups & Spoons Metric (mL)
Half Batch (0.5×) 6.3g (0.22 oz) 1 ½ tsp 7.4 mL
Standard (1×) 12.5g (0.44 oz) 1 tbsp 14.8 mL
1.5× Batch 18.8g (0.66 oz) 1 tbsp + 1 ½ tsp 22.2 mL
Double Batch (2×) 25g (0.88 oz) ⅛ cup 29.6 mL
Triple Batch (3×) 37.5g (1.32 oz) 3 tbsp 44.4 mL

Measuring 1 Tablespoon of Light Brown Sugar in the Kitchen

Measured firmly packed at a verified bulk density of 200g per US cup, 1 tablespoon of light brown sugar weighs 12.5 grams (0.44 ounces). Measured using the loosely spooned (unpacked) method (145g/cup), that same 1 tbsp holds 9.1g — a 3.4g difference in your mixing bowl.

Press sugar firmly into the dry measuring cup with your fingers or a spoon until it holds the shape of the cup when inverted.

Source note: USDA FoodData Central #169656 & Domino Sugar standard packed weight

Frequently Asked Questions

How many grams is 1 tbsp of light brown sugar? ▾

1 Tablespoon of light brown sugar measured firmly packed weighs 12.5 grams (0.44 ounces).

Why must brown sugar always be firmly packed into the cup? ▾

Molasses film creates friction that traps irregular air pockets; packing eliminates voids to give consistent weight.

How can you soften rock-hard brown sugar quickly? ▾

Microwave in a bowl covered with a damp paper towel in 20-second bursts to restore humidity quickly.