1 tablespoon of panko weighs 3.1 g. A tablespoon is one sixteenth of a cup, and a cup of panko is 50 g spooned and levelled, so the maths is 50 ÷ 16 = 3.1 g. One teaspoon, a third of a tablespoon, weighs 1.04 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.
Light, airy Japanese breadcrumbs; very low density per cup, and it is used for crispy coatings for fried and baked foods.
All figures on this page are approximate, and they come from King Arthur Baking, 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 | 3.1 g |
| 2 tbsp | 6.2 g |
| 3 tbsp | 9.4 g |
| 4 tbsp | 12.5 g |
| 5 tbsp | 15.6 g |
| 6 tbsp | 18.8 g |
| 7 tbsp | 21.9 g |
| 8 tbsp | 25.0 g |
| 9 tbsp | 28.1 g |
| 10 tbsp | 31.2 g |
| 11 tbsp | 34.4 g |
| 12 tbsp | 37.5 g |
| 13 tbsp | 40.6 g |
| 14 tbsp | 43.8 g |
| 15 tbsp | 46.9 g |
| 16 tbsp | 50.0 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 | 1.04 g |
| 2 tsp | 2.08 g |
| 3 tsp (1 tbsp) | 3.1 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 | 12.5 g |
| 1/3 cup | 16.7 g |
| 1/2 cup | 25.0 g |
| 2/3 cup | 33.3 g |
| 3/4 cup | 37.5 g |
| 1 cup | 50.0 g |
One cup of panko weighs 50 g, so a quarter cup is 12.5 g and half a cup is 25 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 King Arthur Baking, measured spooned and levelled. Light, airy Japanese breadcrumbs; very low density per cup, and it is used for crispy coatings for fried and baked foods.
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 panko measured two different ways can give two different weights, and the King Arthur Baking value assumes the spooned and levelled method every time.
Worked examples
A weeknight dinner
A weeknight dinner that calls for 1 tablespoon (3.1 g) of panko is the kind of recipe where the spoon is the natural unit, and levelling the spoon keeps the seasoning and texture the same every time you cook it.
Scaling a recipe up
Doubling a recipe that calls for 2 tablespoons (6.2 g) of panko means using twice as much, and the easiest way to stay accurate is to weigh the doubled amount on a scale rather than counting out spoon after spoon.
A packed lunch
A packed lunch assembled the night before uses 3 tablespoons (9.4 g) of panko, and measuring it the evening before saves fumbling with spoons and jars in the morning rush.
Practical guidance
Level every spoon of panko 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 panko, 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 panko 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 panko, count out about 32.0 tablespoons, and for 50 g, about 16.0 tablespoons. Halving a recipe that calls for 4 tablespoons means using 2 tablespoons, or 6.2 g, and doubling it means 8 tablespoons, or 25.0 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 panko 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 panko 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. Airtight container, cool and dry, up to 6 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 panko?
One level tablespoon of panko weighs approximately 3.1 g. That figure comes from dividing the cup weight of 50 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 panko make 100 g?
About 32.0 tablespoons of panko weigh 100 g, and about 16.0 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 panko 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 panko are in a cup?
There are 16 tablespoons in 1 US cup, so a full cup of panko weighs approximately 50 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 panko?
Yes, and for anything where precision matters a scale is the better tool. Put the bowl on the scale, press tare, and add panko 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 panko?
Airtight container, cool and dry, up to 6 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.