Baking powder teaspoons to grams
Baking powder is almost always measured by the teaspoon, and the amounts are small enough that a kitchen scale needs to read in 0.1 g steps to be useful. Here are the common measures.
| Teaspoons | Grams |
|---|---|
| ⅛ tsp | 0.5 g |
| ¼ tsp | 1 g |
| ½ tsp | 2 g |
| ¾ tsp | 3 g |
| 1 tsp | 4 g |
| 1 ¼ tsp | 5 g |
| 1 ½ tsp | 6 g |
| 2 tsp | 8 g |
| 2 ½ tsp | 10 g |
| 1 tbsp | 12 g |
Brands vary slightly. We use 4 grams per level teaspoon, which matches King Arthur's chart and Bob's Red Mill's label. Other sources put it a little higher: USDA data works out to about 4.5 g, and Clabber Girl's label (0.6 g per ⅛ teaspoon) to about 4.8 g. In a recipe, half a gram either way won't be noticeable.
Grams of baking powder to teaspoons
European recipes often list baking powder in grams. Here's what to measure out:
| Grams | Teaspoons | With measuring spoons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 g | ¼ tsp | ¼ tsp |
| 2 g | ½ tsp | ½ tsp |
| 3 g | ¾ tsp | ¾ tsp |
| 4 g | 1 tsp | 1 tsp |
| 5 g | 1 ¼ tsp | 1 ¼ tsp |
| 6 g | 1 ½ tsp | 1 ½ tsp |
| 8 g | 2 tsp | 2 tsp |
| 10 g | 2 ½ tsp | 2 ½ tsp |
| 12 g | 3 tsp | 1 tbsp |
| 15 g | 3 ¾ tsp | 1 tbsp + ¾ tsp |
| 16 g | 4 tsp | 1 tbsp + 1 tsp |
How much baking powder per cup of flour?
A good rule of thumb for cakes, muffins and quick breads is about 1 teaspoon of baking powder per cup (120 g) of flour. Recipes with heavy add-ins like fruit or whole grains sometimes go a little higher. If a recipe uses far more than that, the result can taste bitter or rise fast and then sink.
Baking powder vs baking soda
Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate. It needs an acid in the recipe, such as buttermilk, yogurt, brown sugar or natural cocoa, to produce the bubbles that make things rise. Baking powder is baking soda with a dry acid and a little cornstarch already mixed in, so it works on its own with just moisture and heat.
Most baking powder sold in the US is double-acting: it releases some gas when it gets wet and the rest in the heat of the oven. That's why batters made with it can sit for a few minutes before baking without losing much lift.
Weight for weight, baking soda is about three times as strong. The two aren't interchangeable spoon for spoon. See our baking soda page for its conversions.
Out of baking powder?
Mix ¼ teaspoon of baking soda with ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar for each teaspoon of baking powder. Mix it right before using, as this homemade version is single-acting and starts working as soon as it gets wet, so get the batter into the oven quickly.
Is your baking powder still good?
An opened can usually stays lively for about six months to a year, less in a humid kitchen. To test it, stir ½ teaspoon into a few tablespoons of hot water. If it fizzes right away, it's fine. If it barely bubbles, replace it. Flat pancakes and dense muffins are often down to tired baking powder rather than the recipe.
Frequently asked questions
How many grams is 1 teaspoon of baking powder?
One level teaspoon of baking powder weighs about 4 grams. Depending on the brand it can be up to about 4.8 grams.
How many grams is ½ teaspoon of baking powder?
Half a teaspoon of baking powder is about 2 grams.
How many grams is ¼ teaspoon of baking powder?
A quarter teaspoon of baking powder is about 1 gram.
How many grams is 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder?
One and a half teaspoons of baking powder is about 6 grams.
How many grams is 1 tablespoon of baking powder?
A level tablespoon of baking powder weighs about 12 grams.
How many teaspoons is 10 grams of baking powder?
10 grams of baking powder is about 2 ½ tsp.