Grams to Tablespoons – Butter
Butter density ≈0.96 g/mL. That’s about 14.2 g per tablespoon. Use the calculator and table below for unsalted or salted butter.
Butter Calculator
Formula: tablespoons = grams ÷ 14.2 (approx.).
What Are Grams and Tablespoons?
A gram (g) is a unit of mass in the metric system (1 g ≈0.03527 oz). A tablespoon (tbsp) is a unit of volume equal to 3 teaspoons, or about 14.7868 milliliters. Mass and volume measure different things, so you need the ingredient's density to convert between them.1
Butter Density and Formula
Butter has a density of approximately 0.96 g/mL, making it one of the denser ingredients in the kitchen. This density gives us approximately 14.2 grams per tablespoon. Whether using salted or unsalted butter, the density is very similar.
tablespoons = grams ÷ 14.2
grams = tablespoons Ã 14.2
More precisely, tablespoons = grams ÷ (14.7868 Ã density). For butter with density ~0.96 g/mL, this gives approximately 14.2 grams per tablespoon.2
Note: Results are approximate. Temperature affects butter's volume slightly, though the mass remains constant. Room temperature butter may appear to take up more volume than cold butter.
Butter Conversion Table
This table lists common gram amounts with their approximate tablespoon equivalents for butter.
| Grams (g) | Tablespoons (tbsp) |
|---|
Assumes 1 tbsp ≈14.2 g for butter. Real-world results vary slightly based on temperature and butter type.
Tips for Accurate Measuring
- Weighing is most reliable: A kitchen scale provides the most accurate butter measurements.2
- Stick measurements: In the US, 1 stick of butter = 8 tablespoons ≈113 g, making it easy to measure.
- Temperature matters: Room temperature butter may appear to take up more volume than cold butter, but the mass stays constant.
- Salted vs unsalted: There's a minor density difference, but tablespoons per gram stay approximately 14.2 for both types.
- Use water displacement: For precise measurements without a scale, use water displacement method if needed.
FAQs
How many tablespoons is 50 g of butter?
About 3.52 tbsp (50 ÷ 14.2). Use the calculator for exact rounding.
How many grams is 3 tablespoons of butter?
About 42.6 g (3 Ã 14.2).
What's the difference between salted and unsalted butter for conversions?
Salted and unsalted butter have very similar densities, so the tablespoon conversion (14.2 g per tbsp) applies to both types.
How many tablespoons is one stick of butter?
One US stick of butter equals 8 tablespoons or approximately 113 grams.
Does temperature affect butter measurements?
Temperature affects butter's appearance and volume (cold butter is more compact), but the mass (weight in grams) remains constant regardless of temperature.
Sources
- Tablespoon ≈14.7868 mL; density needed to convert mass to volume.2
- Measurement accuracy and density guidance; tablespoons derived from grams and density for butter.
To keep this page fast and focused, external links are omitted. Values reflect commonly cited references in food measurement guides and baking references.