Grams to Tablespoons – Salt
Salt types vary by crystal size. Table salt is dense (~1.2 g/mL → ~17.7 g/tbsp). Coarse kosher salt is lighter per tablespoon.
Salt Calculator
Assumptions: table ≈17.7 g/tbsp; sea ≈16.0 g/tbsp; kosher ≈13.5 g/tbsp (brand varies).
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
Salt Density and Formula
Different types of salt have different densities based on crystal size and how they pack. Table salt is the densest (~1.2 g/mL → ~17.7 g/tbsp) because it has fine, uniform crystals that pack tightly. Sea salt (fine) is slightly less dense (~16.0 g/tbsp), while kosher salt (coarse) is the lightest (~13.5 g/tbsp) because the large, irregular crystals don't pack as densely.
Table salt: tablespoons = grams ÷ 17.7
Sea salt: tablespoons = grams ÷ 16.0
Kosher salt: tablespoons = grams ÷ 13.5
More precisely, tablespoons = grams ÷ (14.7868 Ã density). Table salt with density ~1.2 g/mL gives approximately 17.7 grams per tablespoon.2
Important Note: Different brands of kosher salt (e.g., Morton vs. Diamond Crystal) have significantly different crystal sizes and densities. When precision matters for recipes, use grams rather than volume measurements.
Salt Conversion Table
This table lists common gram amounts with their approximate tablespoon equivalents for different types of salt.
| Grams (g) | Table tbsp | Sea tbsp | Kosher tbsp |
|---|
Values are approximate. Kosher salt brand differences (Morton vs Diamond Crystal) can vary significantly.
Tips for Accurate Measuring
- Weighing is most reliable: A kitchen scale provides the most accurate salt measurements, especially important because salt brand differences can vary significantly.2
- Brand differences matter: Different brands of kosher salt (e.g., Morton vs Diamond Crystal) have very different crystal sizes and densities. Morton kosher salt packs more densely than Diamond Crystal.
- When precision matters: For accurate results, always use grams rather than volume measurements for salt, especially in baking where salt content affects flavor and chemistry.
- Spoon and level: When measuring by volume, gently spoon salt into a tablespoon and level the top with a straight edge, but be aware that different salt types pack very differently.
- Know your salt: Table salt, sea salt, and kosher salt are not interchangeable by volume due to their different densities.
FAQs
How many tablespoons is 50 g of table salt?
About 2.82 tbsp (50 ÷ 17.7). Use the calculator for exact rounding.
Why do different salt types have different densities?
Salt density varies based on crystal size and shape. Fine table salt packs tightly, while coarse kosher salt crystals don't pack as densely, resulting in different grams per tablespoon.
Are all kosher salts the same?
No! Different brands of kosher salt have significantly different densities. Morton kosher salt is denser (~13.5 g/tbsp) than Diamond Crystal kosher salt, which is lighter and flakier.
Can I substitute table salt for kosher salt?
They are not interchangeable by volume. Because table salt is much denser, you'd use less table salt than kosher salt. For accurate substitution, always convert by weight (grams) rather than volume.
Does sea salt differ from table salt?
Yes, fine sea salt is slightly less dense than table salt (~16.0 g/tbsp vs ~17.7 g/tbsp), though both pack more densely than coarse kosher salt.
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 different salt types.
To keep this page fast and focused, external links are omitted. Values reflect commonly cited references in food measurement guides and culinary references.