1 tablespoon of jam weighs 20 g. A tablespoon is one sixteenth of a cup, and a cup of jam is 320 g spooned and levelled, so the maths is 320 ÷ 16 = 20 g. One teaspoon, a third of a tablespoon, weighs 6.67 g. The number at the top of this page is the one most people need, and the rest of the page explains why that number moves around between kitchens and how to keep it steady.
Fruit preserves set with sugar and pectin, and it is used for toast, baking, glazes and thumbprint cookies.
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.
Conversion table
One tablespoon is one sixteenth of a cup, so every figure in this table is the cup weight divided by 16, rounded to one decimal place. All figures are approximate; verify with a kitchen scale when it matters.
| Tablespoons | Grams (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1 tbsp | 20.0 g |
| 2 tbsp | 40.0 g |
| 3 tbsp | 60.0 g |
| 4 tbsp | 80.0 g |
| 5 tbsp | 100.0 g |
| 6 tbsp | 120.0 g |
| 7 tbsp | 140.0 g |
| 8 tbsp | 160.0 g |
| 9 tbsp | 180.0 g |
| 10 tbsp | 200.0 g |
| 11 tbsp | 220.0 g |
| 12 tbsp | 240.0 g |
| 13 tbsp | 260.0 g |
| 14 tbsp | 280.0 g |
| 15 tbsp | 300.0 g |
| 16 tbsp | 320.0 g |
The teaspoon row is included because many recipes season by the teaspoon, and 1 teaspoon is one third of a tablespoon.
| Teaspoons | Grams (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1 tsp | 6.67 g |
| 2 tsp | 13.33 g |
| 3 tsp (1 tbsp) | 20.0 g |
Cups to grams for reference
When a recipe jumps from spoons to cups, use this table instead of counting out 16 tablespoons. Every figure is the cup weight multiplied by the fraction, rounded to one decimal place, and all figures are approximate.
| Cups | Grams (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1/4 cup | 80.0 g |
| 1/3 cup | 106.7 g |
| 1/2 cup | 160.0 g |
| 2/3 cup | 213.3 g |
| 3/4 cup | 240.0 g |
| 1 cup | 320.0 g |
One cup of jam weighs 320 g, so a quarter cup is 80 g and half a cup is 160 g. Those two figures cover most everyday scaling, and the full table above covers the rest.
How the measurement works
The figure on this page comes from USDA, measured spooned and levelled. Fruit preserves set with sugar and pectin, and it is used for toast, baking, glazes and thumbprint cookies.
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. The method matters more than the number itself, because the same spoon of jam measured two different ways can give two different weights, and the USDA value assumes the spooned and levelled method every time.
Worked examples
A sandwich spread
A sandwich spread with 1 tablespoon (20.0 g) of jam is enough for two slices of bread, and spreading it edge to edge keeps every bite seasoned. A level tablespoon is the portion most recipes assume when they say one tablespoon.
A dip for two
A dip for two people starts with 2 tablespoons (40.0 g) of jam as its base, and tasting before adding more keeps the balance right, since it is easier to add another spoon than to take one away.
A marinade
A marinade for chicken pieces uses 3 tablespoons (60.0 g) of jam whisked with the other marinade ingredients, and measuring the spoonfuls rather than pouring from the bottle keeps the marinade from turning too salty or too sharp.
Practical guidance
Level every spoon of jam with the back of a knife, and remember that a heaped spoon can weigh far more than the level figure on this page, which is enough to throw a dish out of balance. For jam, the spoon is the natural unit in most recipes, so getting the level spoon right matters more here than it does for ingredients usually measured by the cup. If you cook with jam often, a kitchen scale is the most reliable tool, because weighing removes the guesswork that comes from how firmly an ingredient packs into a spoon. Until then, use the same spoon for the whole recipe so any small error stays consistent.
Scaling with spoons is straightforward once you know the weight of one spoon. To measure 100 g of jam, count out about 5.0 tablespoons, and for 50 g, about 2.5 tablespoons. Halving a recipe that calls for 4 tablespoons means using 2 tablespoons, or 40.0 g, and doubling it means 8 tablespoons, or 160.0 g. Scale every ingredient by the same factor, because changing one ingredient without changing the others throws the recipe out of balance. For large amounts, switch to a cup measure or a scale, since counting out spoon after spoon is slow and invites mistakes.
When should you weigh jam instead of measuring it? Whenever the recipe has to work the first time, and whenever the amount decides the flavour or texture of the finished dish. A kitchen scale costs less than a single failed dinner, and it removes the biggest source of variation in home cooking, which is the way ingredients pack into a spoon. Put the bowl on the scale, press tare, and add the jam until the display shows the number you need. For small amounts, a level spoon is accurate enough, and for anything where precision matters, the scale is the tool to reach for.
Storage. Refrigerate after opening; use within 3 months.
- Level every spoon with the back of a knife.
- Use spoons for small amounts, and a scale for large ones.
- Keep the same spoon for the whole recipe so errors stay consistent.
Frequently asked questions
How many grams is 1 tablespoon of jam?
One level tablespoon of jam weighs approximately 20 g. That figure comes from dividing the cup weight of 320 g by 16, and it assumes the ingredient is measured spooned and levelled. All figures on this page are approximate, so verify with a kitchen scale when it matters.
How many tablespoons of jam make 100 g?
About 5.0 tablespoons of jam weigh 100 g, and about 2.5 tablespoons weigh 50 g. Count out the spoons level, and switch to a scale for large amounts, since counting dozens of spoonfuls invites mistakes.
Does a heaped tablespoon of jam weigh more?
Yes, a heaped tablespoon weighs noticeably more than a level one, and the difference is biggest for light, fluffy ingredients. Always level the spoon with the back of a knife unless the recipe specifically says heaped, because recipes that give spoon measures assume a level spoon.
How many tablespoons of jam are in a cup?
There are 16 tablespoons in 1 US cup, so a full cup of jam weighs approximately 320 g. The tablespoon table on this page lists every amount from 1 to 16 tablespoons, and 16 tablespoons is the same as 1 cup.
Can I use a kitchen scale instead of spoons for jam?
Yes, and for anything where precision matters a scale is the better tool. Put the bowl on the scale, press tare, and add jam until the display shows the grams you need, which removes the variation that comes from how firmly an ingredient packs into a spoon.
How should I store jam?
Refrigerate after opening; use within 3 months. Keeping it stored properly also keeps its weight consistent, since an ingredient that has absorbed moisture or dried out will not weigh the same per spoon as a fresh one.