Quick Answer
One US cup of cocoa powder weighs about 85 grams. That works out to 5.31 g per tablespoon and 1.77 g per teaspoon. Natural (unsweetened) cocoa, sifted. Weights vary slightly by brand, moisture, and how tightly you pack - for precise baking, a kitchen scale beats volume measures.
Key Facts
- 1 cup cocoa powder = 85 g
- 1 tablespoon = 5.31 g
- 1 teaspoon = 1.77 g
- 1/2 cup = 42.5 g
- Natural (unsweetened) cocoa, sifted.
- Values assume standard US measures (1 cup = 236.59 mL)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grams in 1 cup of cocoa powder?
About 85 grams, scoop-and-level for dry ingredients. Natural (unsweetened) cocoa, sifted.
How many grams in a tablespoon of cocoa powder?
One US tablespoon (15 mL) of cocoa powder is about 5.31 grams. A teaspoon is 1.77 g.
Why does cocoa powder weigh more (or less) than water?
Dry ingredients are weighed by how they pack into the cup volume. Cocoa Powder has an apparent density of about 0.36 g/mL - lighter than water - depending on particle size and air gaps.
How many cups is 100 g of cocoa powder?
100 g ÷ 85 g/cup ≈ 1.18 cups - about roughly 1.2 cups. The reverse table on this page covers 25-1000 g.
Should I weigh or measure by volume?
Weighing is more accurate - volume measures vary with how you scoop, pack, and level, and brands differ by 5-15%. For cookies and cakes where ratios matter, grams are the professional standard. The tables here convert either direction.