100 grams of cinnamon is about 12.8 tablespoons. One tablespoon of cinnamon weighs about 7.8 g, and one teaspoon is about 2.6 g. It is the warmest spice in the baking cupboard, and the one where a little too much turns a cake bitter, so measuring it by weight is the difference between fragrant and overpowering.
All figures on this page are approximate, and they come from USDA, measured spooned and levelled. Warm, sweet spice ground from cinnamon bark. Baking, oatmeal, curries and drinks. When a recipe has to work the first time, verify with a kitchen scale.
How the measurement works
The figure on this page comes from USDA, measured spooned and levelled. One US cup is 16 tablespoons, so every figure here is the cup weight of 125 g divided by 16, rounded to one decimal place. Warm, sweet spice ground from cinnamon bark. Baking, oatmeal, curries and drinks.
All results on this page are approximate. Ingredient weights vary with brand, humidity, temperature and how firmly you pack the spoon, so when a recipe has to work the first time, weigh the ingredient on a kitchen scale and use the numbers here as a guide.
Conversion table
| Amount | Grams of cinnamon |
|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | 2.6 g |
| 1 tablespoon | 7.8 g |
| 2 tablespoons | 15.6 g |
| 3 tablespoons | 23.4 g |
| 4 tablespoons | 31.2 g |
| 5 tablespoons | 39.1 g |
| 6 tablespoons | 46.9 g |
| 8 tablespoons | 62.5 g |
| 10 tablespoons | 78.1 g |
| 12 tablespoons | 93.8 g |
| 1 cup (16 tablespoons) | 125 g |
| 100 g | 12.8 tablespoons |
One tablespoon is one sixteenth of a cup, so every figure above is simply the cup weight divided by 16, rounded to one decimal place. The last row is the headline figure for this page: 100 g of cinnamon is about 12.8 tablespoons. All figures are approximate; verify with a kitchen scale when it matters.
Three real kitchen examples
A cinnamon swirl loaf
A cinnamon swirl loaf uses 4 tablespoons of ground cinnamon, about 31.2 g, mixed with sugar and spread over the rolled-out dough. The cinnamon gives the loaf its warm, sweet flavour and its dark swirl, and it should be spread evenly, because a thick patch of cinnamon turns bitter in the oven. Four spoonfuls is enough for a single loaf, and the dough should be rolled up tightly so the swirl holds its shape.
A pot of morning oatmeal
A pot of oatmeal for four takes 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon, about 15.6 g, stirred in with the oats and the milk. The cinnamon gives the porridge a warm, sweet flavour without any extra sugar, and it should be stirred in at the start, so it cooks into the oats instead of sitting on top. Two spoonfuls is enough for a family pot, and the porridge should be served with a little honey and sliced banana.
A mulled wine for a winter evening
A mulled wine for six uses 3 tablespoons of ground cinnamon, about 23.4 g, simmered with red wine, orange and cloves. The cinnamon gives the wine its warm, spicy flavour, and it should be simmered gently, never boiled, because boiling makes the wine bitter. Three spoonfuls is enough for a pot that serves six, and the wine should be strained before serving so the spices do not end up in the glass.
Getting it right in your kitchen
Cinnamon matters because it is the warmest spice in baking, and the line between fragrant and bitter is thin. In a cinnamon swirl loaf, a crumble topping or a pot of oatmeal, it gives a sweet warmth that needs no extra sugar. In curries and mulled wine, it adds depth without heat. At 125 g per cup, a tablespoon weighs about 7.8 g, so 100 g is about 12.8 tablespoons, which is a lot of cinnamon: no recipe uses that much at once, because cinnamon is measured in teaspoons, not tablespoons. The practical thing to know is the two kinds: cassia cinnamon is the common, stronger kind, while true Ceylon cinnamon is milder and sweeter, and they taste different enough that a recipe written for one can be overpowering with the other.
If you do not have a scale, the tablespoon count on this page is your best friend: 12.8 level tablespoons is about 100 g of cinnamon, and one tablespoon is about 7.8 g. For small amounts, use teaspoons instead, at about 2.6 g each, because a teaspoon is easier to level accurately than a tablespoon. For large amounts, use a cup: one cup of cinnamon weighs 125 g, so 100 g is about 0.8 of a cup. Count carefully, level every spoon, and remember that the figures are approximate, so when the recipe has to work the first time, a kitchen scale is still the safer choice.
Storage. Airtight jar, cool and dark, up to 1 year.
- Use cinnamon sparingly; too much turns a cake bitter instead of fragrant.
- Replace ground cinnamon every year; old spice tastes dusty, not warm.
- Cassia is stronger than Ceylon; check which kind the recipe means.
Frequently asked questions
How many tablespoons is 100 grams of cinnamon?
100 grams of ground cinnamon is about 12.8 tablespoons, spooned and levelled, using the USDA value of 125 g per cup. One tablespoon weighs about 7.8 g. The figure is approximate, so verify with a kitchen scale when the recipe matters. In practice, recipes use cinnamon by the teaspoon, not the tablespoon.
How many grams is 1 tablespoon of cinnamon?
One level tablespoon of ground cinnamon weighs about 7.8 g, and one teaspoon is about 2.6 g. A teaspoon is the usual measure for cinnamon in a recipe, because a tablespoon is a lot of spice for a single dish.
What is the difference between cassia and Ceylon cinnamon?
Cassia is the common, stronger cinnamon, with a bold, slightly bitter flavour, while Ceylon is milder, sweeter and more delicate. Most ground cinnamon sold in shops is cassia. For baking, cassia is the usual choice; for delicate dishes and drinks, Ceylon is better.
Can I use too much cinnamon?
Yes, easily: cinnamon is a strong spice, and too much of it turns a cake bitter and overpowering instead of warm and fragrant. A teaspoon is often enough for a whole cake, and a tablespoon is a lot. Add it a little at a time and taste as you go, especially in drinks and oatmeal.
How long does ground cinnamon keep?
About a year in an airtight jar in a cool, dark cupboard. It does not go off, but it loses its flavour, and old cinnamon tastes dusty rather than warm. If it smells weak, replace it. Whole cinnamon sticks keep for several years.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is using too much cinnamon, which turns a cake bitter instead of fragrant; a teaspoon is often enough for a whole cake. The second mistake is using old, stale cinnamon, which has lost its flavour and tastes dusty; ground cinnamon keeps for about a year in a cool, dark jar. The third mistake is confusing cassia and Ceylon cinnamon, which taste different; cassia is stronger and suits baking, while Ceylon is milder and suits delicate dishes. Finally, do not store cinnamon near the stove, where heat and steam spoil it; keep it in a cool, dark cupboard.