Coconut Milk:
Grams to Cups
By Stefan Ulrich · Last updated
One cup of full-fat coconut milk weighs 240 grams. Rich, creamy, and naturally dairy-free, coconut milk is a key ingredient in vegan baking and tropical desserts, providing moisture, fat, and a distinctive coconut flavor.
How much Coconut Milk weighs at each cup measure.
Convert Coconut Milk
1 cup = 240 grams
= — grams
= — cups
Quick reference
Measurement Table
| Cups | Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tsp | 5 g | 0.18 oz |
| 1 tbsp | 15 g | 0.53 oz |
| ⅛ cup | 30 g | 1.06 oz |
| ¼ cup | 60 g | 2.12 oz |
| ⅓ cup | 80 g | 2.82 oz |
| ½ cup | 120 g | 4.23 oz |
| ⅔ cup | 160 g | 5.64 oz |
| ¾ cup | 180 g | 6.35 oz |
| 1 cup | 240 g | 8.47 oz |
| 1¼ cups | 300 g | 10.58 oz |
| 1½ cups | 360 g | 12.70 oz |
| 2 cups | 480 g | 16.93 oz |
| 3 cups | 720 g | 25.40 oz |
About Coconut Milk
Full-fat canned coconut milk contains both the thick coconut cream that rises to the top and the thinner watery liquid beneath. When a recipe calls for 'coconut milk,' it typically means the two layers combined — shake or stir the can well before opening and measuring. If only coconut cream is required (richer, thicker), scoop from the top without disturbing the bottom layer.
At 240 g per cup, full-fat coconut milk weighs the same as water, though it contains much more fat and fewer carbohydrates. Its high fat content (typically 15–20%) gives coconut milk baked goods a rich, tender crumb and makes it an excellent dairy substitute in layer cakes, muffins, and quick breads.
Lite (reduced-fat) coconut milk is more watery and contributes less fat, which affects texture noticeably. Recipes developed for full-fat coconut milk will produce drier, less rich results with lite coconut milk. Check which type is called for, and don't assume they're interchangeable.
For whipped coconut cream, refrigerate the can overnight so the cream separates completely, then scoop only the firm cream into a chilled bowl and whip. This technique only works with full-fat coconut milk — lite varieties don't contain enough fat to whip.
Tips for measuring Coconut Milk
- Shake or stir the can well before measuring to combine cream and liquid layers.
- Full-fat vs. lite coconut milk are not interchangeable in baking — fat content affects texture.
- For whipped coconut cream, refrigerate canned coconut milk overnight first.
- Use a liquid measuring cup and check at eye level for accuracy.
- Coconut milk thickens differently from dairy milk because the fat sits in a creamy emulsion rather than a watery suspension.
Common mistakes
- Using lite coconut milk when full-fat is called for — results are noticeably less rich.
- Measuring without shaking — you'll get mostly cream or mostly water.
- Confusing coconut milk (liquid) with cream of coconut (sweetened, thick) — very different products.
- Shaking a can of coconut milk vigorously before opening can make the cream and liquid separate unevenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many grams in a cup of Coconut Milk?
- 1 cup of Coconut Milk weighs 240 grams — the standard used in most American recipes. Use the converter above for any other amount.
- How many grams is ¼ cup of Coconut Milk?
- ¼ cup of Coconut Milk weighs about 60 grams. The full table above lists every common cup fraction.
- What's the most common mistake when measuring Coconut Milk?
- Using lite coconut milk when full-fat is called for — results are noticeably less rich. Weighing on a kitchen scale avoids it entirely.
- Should Coconut Milk be measured cold or at room temperature?
- Temperature barely changes the weight of coconut Milk, but a liquid measuring cup read at eye level gives the most accurate result.