100 grams of coconut sugar is about 8.9 tablespoons. One tablespoon of coconut sugar weighs about 11.2 g, and one teaspoon is about 3.8 g. It tastes of caramel and swaps one-for-one with brown sugar, but its weight is the least certain of any sugar on this page, because crystal size changes how much fits in a cup.
All figures on this page are approximate, and they come from USDA, measured spooned and levelled. Granulated sugar from coconut palm sap with a caramel flavour. Baking and sweetening as a 1:1 swap for brown sugar. 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 180 g divided by 16, rounded to one decimal place. Granulated sugar from coconut palm sap with a caramel flavour. Baking and sweetening as a 1:1 swap for brown sugar.
A note on disputed figures. Coconut sugar is not on the King Arthur chart; published values range from about 160 g to 192 g per cup depending on crystal size. We use the USDA-based midpoint of 180 g.
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 coconut sugar |
|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | 3.8 g |
| 1 tablespoon | 11.2 g |
| 2 tablespoons | 22.5 g |
| 3 tablespoons | 33.8 g |
| 4 tablespoons | 45 g |
| 5 tablespoons | 56.2 g |
| 6 tablespoons | 67.5 g |
| 8 tablespoons | 90 g |
| 10 tablespoons | 112.5 g |
| 12 tablespoons | 135 g |
| 1 cup (16 tablespoons) | 180 g |
| 100 g | 8.9 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 coconut sugar is about 8.9 tablespoons. All figures are approximate; verify with a kitchen scale when it matters.
Three real kitchen examples
A tray of coconut sugar blondies
A blondie recipe that calls for 8 tablespoons of coconut sugar, about 90 g, gets its moist, chewy texture from the sugar's caramel flavour and its similarity to brown sugar. Coconut sugar swaps 1:1 for brown sugar by volume, so the same recipe made with brown sugar would use the same number of spoonfuls, though the weight would differ. Weighing the sugar matters here, because crystal size varies from brand to brand and a cup can hold anywhere from 160 g to 192 g.
Sweetening a morning porridge pot
Stirring 4 tablespoons of coconut sugar into a large pot of porridge for the family works out at about 45 g, which is roughly a small spoonful per bowl. Measuring by weight here matters because coconut sugar crystals vary in size from brand to brand, so a cup can easily hold 160 g or 192 g depending on how coarse the crystals are. The scale removes that brand-to-brand guesswork, and the caramel flavour suits porridge better than plain white sugar.
A batch of spiced muffins, halved
Halving a muffin recipe that asks for 12 tablespoons of coconut sugar leaves 6 tablespoons, about 67.5 g. Halving by spoons is risky with a sugar that clumps in humidity, because a clumpy spoonful packs far more sugar than a loose one. Weighing 6 spoonfuls worth gives the same sweetness and the same browning in the smaller batch as the full recipe had, and the muffins come out moist instead of dry.
Getting it right in your kitchen
Coconut sugar matters as a brown sugar substitute with a caramel flavour and a slightly lower glycaemic profile, though it is still sugar and should be treated as such. It behaves like brown sugar in baking, holding moisture and helping cakes brown, but it weighs less per cup, so swapping the two cup-for-cup throws the balance off: 100 g of coconut sugar is about 8.9 tablespoons, while 100 g of brown sugar is only 7.5. The other thing to know is the uncertainty: published values range from about 160 g to 192 g per cup depending on crystal size, so we use the USDA-based midpoint of 180 g. That range is exactly why a scale is worth using, because the spoon count alone cannot tell you which end of the range your brand sits at.
If you do not have a scale, the tablespoon count on this page is your best friend: 8.9 level tablespoons is about 100 g of coconut sugar, and one tablespoon is about 11.2 g. For small amounts, use teaspoons instead, at about 3.8 g each, because a teaspoon is easier to level accurately than a tablespoon. For large amounts, use a cup: one cup of coconut sugar weighs 180 g, so 100 g is about 0.56 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 container, cool and dry; clumps in humidity.
- Break up clumps before measuring, or weigh the sugar instead.
- Swap it 1:1 for brown sugar by volume, but check the weight when baking.
- Keep it sealed and dry; it clumps fast in a humid cupboard.
Frequently asked questions
How many tablespoons is 100 grams of coconut sugar?
100 grams of coconut sugar is about 8.9 tablespoons, spooned and levelled, using the USDA-based value of 180 g per cup. One tablespoon weighs about 11.2 g. Published values range from about 160 g to 192 g per cup, so the figure is approximate and a kitchen scale is the safest check.
How many grams is 1 tablespoon of coconut sugar?
One level tablespoon of coconut sugar weighs about 11.2 g, and one teaspoon is about 3.8 g. Because crystal size varies by brand, the real weight of a spoonful can vary a gram or two either way, so weigh the sugar for baking.
Can I swap coconut sugar for brown sugar 1:1?
Yes, by volume: the same number of spoonfuls of coconut sugar replaces brown sugar in most baking, and the flavour is similar, with a caramel note. By weight they differ, because 100 g of packed brown sugar is 7.5 tablespoons against 8.9 of coconut sugar, so weigh the substitute if you want the same sweetness.
Is coconut sugar healthier than regular sugar?
Only slightly. It has a lower glycaemic index and keeps trace minerals from the coconut sap, but it is still sugar with about the same calories as white sugar. Use it for its caramel flavour and its behaviour in baking, not as a health food.
Why does my coconut sugar clump together?
Coconut sugar absorbs moisture from the air, and in a humid cupboard the crystals stick together in hard lumps. Keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, and break up any lumps before measuring, or weigh the sugar so the lumps do not matter.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is treating coconut sugar exactly like granulated sugar. A cup of granulated sugar weighs 198 g, so the same volume of coconut sugar weighs less, and the two sweeten differently. Another mistake is measuring a damp, clumped sugar straight from the bag: clumps pack into the spoon and add weight, so break them up first or weigh the sugar instead. A third mistake is assuming coconut sugar is a health food: it has a slightly lower glycaemic index than white sugar, but it is still sugar with the same calories. Finally, do not use it in a cold drink, because it dissolves more slowly than white sugar and can leave gritty crystals at the bottom of the glass.