1 tablespoon of chili powder weighs 8 g. That is the short answer, and it comes from dividing the cup weight of 128 g by 16, because one tablespoon is one sixteenth of a cup: 128 ÷ 16 = 8 g. If you are standing in the kitchen with a spoon in one hand and a recipe in the other, that number is all you need, and the tables below cover every amount from one teaspoon to two cups.
All figures on this page are approximate, and they come from USDA, measured spooned and levelled. When a recipe has to work the first time, verify with a kitchen scale.
About Chili Powder
A blend of ground chilies, cumin, oregano and garlic. Chilli con carne, tacos, rubs and beans. That is why it shows up in recipes measured by the tablespoon: it is used in amounts too small for a cup measure to be practical, yet large enough that guessing the weight can throw a dish off. Knowing that one tablespoon weighs 8 g lets you move between the spoon and the scale without stopping to work it out.
Storage. Airtight jar, cool and dark, up to 1 year.
Tablespoon to grams table
| Tablespoons | Grams |
|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | 2.7 g |
| 1 tablespoon | 8 g |
| 2 tablespoons | 16 g |
| 3 tablespoons | 24 g |
| 4 tablespoons | 32 g |
| 5 tablespoons | 40 g |
| 6 tablespoons | 48 g |
| 7 tablespoons | 56 g |
| 8 tablespoons | 64 g |
| 9 tablespoons | 72 g |
| 10 tablespoons | 80 g |
| 11 tablespoons | 88 g |
| 12 tablespoons | 96 g |
| 13 tablespoons | 104 g |
| 14 tablespoons | 112 g |
| 15 tablespoons | 120 g |
| 16 tablespoons | 128 g |
One tablespoon is one sixteenth of a cup, so every figure above is the cup weight of 128 g divided by 16 and rounded to one decimal place. Sixteen tablespoons make one cup, which is why the last row of the table matches the cup weight exactly. All figures are approximate; verify with a kitchen scale when it matters.
Cups to grams for reference
Most recipes switch between cups and tablespoons, so here is the same ingredient measured in cups. Use this table when a recipe gives a cup amount and you want to weigh it, or when you have already measured in tablespoons and want to check the total.
| Cups | Tablespoons | Grams |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 cup | 4 tablespoons | 32 g |
| 1/3 cup | 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon | 42.7 g |
| 1/2 cup | 8 tablespoons | 64 g |
| 2/3 cup | 10 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons | 85.3 g |
| 3/4 cup | 12 tablespoons | 96 g |
| 1 cup | 16 tablespoons | 128 g |
| 1 1/2 cups | 24 tablespoons | 192 g |
| 2 cups | 32 tablespoons | 256 g |
Worked examples
A batch of spiced baking
A batch of spiced biscuits or a loaf cake uses 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 8 g, mixed into the dry ingredients before the wet ones are added. One tablespoon is a strong dose for a single bake, so weigh it rather than guessing, and mix it through the flour first so it is distributed evenly instead of sitting in pockets. The spice should be a background warmth, not the first thing you taste.
Seasoning a pot of soup
A pot of soup for six people takes about 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 8 g, stirred in while the soup simmers. A single tablespoon seasons a whole pot, which shows why spoon weights matter for spices: the difference between one level spoon and one heaped spoon is the difference between balanced and overpowering. Add it early so the flavour has time to settle, then taste near the end and adjust the salt rather than adding more spice.
A spice rub for a roast
A spice rub for a whole chicken or a joint of meat uses 2 tablespoons of chili powder, about 16 g, mixed with salt, oil and other spices. Two tablespoons spread over the surface gives an even coating that flavours the skin without overwhelming the meat. Rub it in at least half an hour before cooking, and pat the surface dry first so the rub sticks instead of sliding off.
How the figure is measured
Chili Powder is measured spooned and levelled: spoon it loosely into the tablespoon, then sweep the top flat with the back of a knife. Do not scoop directly from the bag or jar, because scooping packs the ingredient down and a scooped spoon can weigh far more than a spooned one. The spoon-and-level method is the one the source data assumes, so it is the method that makes the numbers on this page true.
The cup weight of 128 g comes from USDA. The tablespoon figure is that cup weight divided by 16, rounded to one decimal place, which is why the table is consistent from one row to the next. All results are approximate: brand, grind, humidity and temperature all move the real weight a little, so when a recipe has to work the first time, weigh the ingredient on a kitchen scale and use these numbers as a guide.
Storage and keeping
Storage. Airtight jar, cool and dark, up to 1 year. Keeping chili powder properly stored matters for the conversion as well as for the flavour, because an ingredient that has absorbed moisture or dried out weighs differently per spoon than a fresh one. Store it as the data file recommends and check it before you measure: if it has clumped, hardened or gone stale, the spoon weight will be off and the recipe will be too.
Buy chili powder in amounts you will use within its storage life, and keep it in a sealed container rather than an open bag, which lets in air and moisture. Label the container with the date you opened it, so you are not guessing later whether it is still good. A fresh ingredient measures more predictably than an old one, and predictable measuring is what makes the numbers on this page useful in a real kitchen.
Frequently asked questions
How many grams is a tablespoon of chili powder?
One tablespoon of chili powder weighs 8 g, approximately. The figure comes from dividing the cup weight of 128 g by 16, since one tablespoon is one sixteenth of a cup. One teaspoon is 2.7 g, and one cup is 128 g.
How many grams is a teaspoon of chili powder?
One teaspoon of chili powder weighs 2.7 g, approximately. A teaspoon is a third of a tablespoon, so the teaspoon weight is the tablespoon weight of 8 g divided by three. For very small amounts, the teaspoon is the better tool, because it is easier to level accurately than a tablespoon.
How many tablespoons of chili powder are in 100 g?
About 12.5 tablespoons. The calculation is 100 g divided by 8 g per tablespoon, which gives 12.5. In practice, measure 12.5 level tablespoons and accept that the result will be a gram or two off, or weigh the ingredient directly if the recipe needs to be exact.
How many tablespoons of chili powder are in a cup?
There are 16 tablespoons in one US cup, so one cup of chili powder is 16 tablespoons and weighs 128 g. Half a cup is 8 tablespoons (64 g), a quarter cup is 4 tablespoons (32 g), and three quarters of a cup is 12 tablespoons (96 g).
Can I use a regular eating spoon instead of a measuring tablespoon?
It is not a good idea. Eating spoons vary widely in size and shape, and a tablespoon from a cutlery drawer can hold noticeably more or less than a standard measuring tablespoon. A set of measuring spoons costs very little and is the only way to make the figures on this page true in your kitchen.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Scooping directly from the bag, which packs the ingredient down and makes a spoonful weigh far more than a spooned one.
- Leaving the spoon heaped instead of levelling it, which adds an unpredictable extra amount every time.
- Measuring a damp or clumped ingredient without breaking it up first, which leaves air pockets and a short measure.
- Using a regular eating spoon instead of a measuring tablespoon, since eating spoons vary widely in size.
The thread running through all of these is the same: a tablespoon is only a standard measure when it is filled in the standard way. Measure chili powder spooned and levelled, level it off, and check the weight on a scale when the recipe has to be right, and the numbers on this page will serve you well.