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½ US Cup Powdered / Confectioners' Sugar = 60g

½ US Cup of powdered / confectioners' sugar weighs 60 grams (2.12 ounces or 0.13 pounds; 118.3 mL or 8 tablespoons in volume) when measured unsifted spooned at a verified bulk density of 120g per 236.6 mL US Customary cup.

Imperial weight: 2.12 oz (0.13 lb) • Volume: 118.3 mL (8 tbsp)

Batch
Measuring density
Converted Measure
0.5 US cup Powdered / Confectioners' Sugar (unsifted spooned) =
60 g
Physical scoop breakdown0.50 cups
1/2 cup
Edit either side to reversePowdered Sugar chart →
Grams
60 g
Ounces
2.12 oz
US Cups
½ cup
Metric (250mL)
0.47 c
Tablespoons
8 tbsp
Milliliters
118.3 mL

Kitchen note: Test-kitchen baseline uses unsifted spooned (120g/cup). Switching to sifted (100g/cup) changes each cup by 20g—use the packing toggle on the scale bench to match your recipe.

Batch Scaling Around ½ US Cup Powdered / Confectioners' Sugar

Batch scaling conversion table around ½ US Cup of Powdered / Confectioners' 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×) 30g (1.06 oz) ¼ cup 59.1 mL
Standard (1×) 60g (2.12 oz) ½ cup 118.3 mL
1.5× Batch 90g (3.17 oz) ¾ cup 177.4 mL
Double Batch (2×) 120g (4.23 oz) 1 cup 236.6 mL
Triple Batch (3×) 180g (6.35 oz) 1 ½ cups 354.9 mL

Measuring ½ US Cup of Powdered / Confectioners' Sugar in the Kitchen

Measured unsifted spooned at a verified bulk density of 120g per US cup, ½ US cup of powdered / confectioners' sugar weighs 60 grams (2.12 ounces). Measured using the sifted method (100g/cup), that same ½ cup holds 50g — a 10g difference in your mixing bowl.

Spoon gently into the measuring cup and level flat. If your recipe calls for sifted powdered sugar, measure after sifting (100g/cup) or weigh directly.

Source note: USDA FoodData Central #169658 & Domino Confectioners 10-X specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How many grams is ½ cup of powdered / confectioners' sugar? ▾

½ US Cup of powdered / confectioners' sugar measured unsifted spooned weighs 60 grams (2.12 ounces).

Why does powdered sugar contain cornstarch? ▾

Commercial confectioners sugar contains about 3% cornstarch as an anti-caking agent to prevent the microscopic particles from clumping.

Why do recipes specify sifted versus unsifted powdered sugar? ▾

Sifted powdered sugar traps significant air, dropping cup weight from 120g down to 100g—a 20% reduction in sweetness.