Ever turned to a recipe calling for “20 grams of flour” only to realize your kitchen has spoons, not a scale? You’re not alone—this common frustration hits home cooks and bakers daily. This guide delivers exact 20 grams to tablespoons conversions tailored for real-world cooking, with ingredient-specific charts, simple math, and pro tips to nail every recipe.
Whether scaling up grandma’s cookie dough or following a viral TikTok treat, knowing 20g to tbsp ensures consistent results without guesswork. Below, explore breakdowns by popular ingredients like flour, sugar, and butter, plus formulas anyone can use.
Quick 20 Grams to Tablespoons Chart
Need the answer fast? Here’s a handy table for top ingredients using standard US tablespoons (14.8 ml). Values are rounded for kitchen practicality but based on reliable density data.
| Ingredient | Grams per Tbsp | 20 Grams = Tbsp |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 14.8 g | 1.35 tbsp |
| All-Purpose Flour | 7.8 g | 2.6 tbsp |
| Granulated Sugar | 12.5 g | 1.6 tbsp |
| Brown Sugar (packed) | 13.5 g | 1.5 tbsp |
| Powdered Sugar | 7.5 g | 2.7 tbsp |
| Butter | 14.2 g | 1.4 tbsp |
| Honey | 21 g | 0.95 tbsp |
| Table Salt | 18 g | 1.1 tbsp |
| Olive Oil | 13.5 g | 1.5 tbsp |
| Milk | 15.3 g | 1.3 tbsp |
Pro tip: Always level off powdery ingredients with a knife for accuracy—scooping adds air and throws off weights.
Why 20 Grams Isn’t Always 1.33 Tablespoons
Grams measure weight; tablespoons measure volume. The same 20g fills different tablespoon amounts based on density—flour floats light while honey packs heavy.
- Light powders (flour, cocoa): More tbsp needed (2.5+ for 20g).
- Dense items (salt, honey): Fewer tbsp (under 1.2 for 20g).
- Liquids near water density: Close to the “rule of thumb” 1.33 tbsp.
This variability explains why generic converters say ~1.33 tbsp (20 ÷ 15), but bakers demand ingredient-specific math for rise-proof cakes and flavor-balanced sauces.
Step-by-Step: Convert Any Grams to Tablespoons
Master the formula for 20g or beyond—no app required.
The Core Formula
Tbsp=Grams per TbspGrams
- Identify your ingredient’s grams-per-tbsp (use charts below).
- Plug in 20g and divide.
- Round practically: 1.35 becomes 1⅓ tbsp.
Real Example: 20g Flour
All-purpose flour = 7.8g/tbsp.\frac{20}{7.8} = 2.56 \approx 2½ \text{ tbsp (spoon & level)}
Real Example: 20g Butter
Butter = 14.2g/tbsp.14.220=1.41≈1½ tbsp
This method scales for any amount, building confidence in metric-to-US swaps.
Full Grams to Tablespoons Conversion Tables
Expand your reference with these comprehensive charts. Perfect for printing or pinning—drawn from standard baking authorities.
Dry Ingredients (Per US Tbsp)
| Ingredient | Grams per Tbsp |
|---|---|
| All-Purpose Flour | 7.8 g |
| Bread Flour | 8.0 g |
| Cake Flour | 7.0 g |
| Granulated Sugar | 12.5 g |
| Brown Sugar | 13.5 g |
| Powdered Sugar | 7.5 g |
| Cocoa Powder | 7.8 g |
| Baking Powder | 14.4 g |
| Baking Soda | 13.8 g |
| Cornstarch | 7.5 g |
Fats & Liquids (Per US Tbsp)
| Ingredient | Grams per Tbsp |
|---|---|
| Butter | 14.2 g |
| Shortening | 12.8 g |
| Olive Oil | 13.5 g |
| Honey | 21.0 g |
| Maple Syrup | 20.0 g |
| Water | 14.8 g |
| Whole Milk | 15.3 g |
| Heavy Cream | 15.3 g |
For 20g, divide as shown earlier. These hold for level measures; pack brown sugar firmly.
20 Grams in Popular Recipe Scenarios
Put numbers to work with everyday examples.
Baking: 20g Flour in Cookies
2.6 tbsp all-purpose flour. Spoon lightly into your measuring spoon, level, then add—no compacting, or cookies turn hockey pucks.
Sweet Treats: 20g Sugar in Frosting
1.6 tbsp granulated. For brown sugar glaze? 1.5 tbsp packed tight. Perfect sweetness without overpowering.
Savory: 20g Butter in Sauté
1.4 tbsp melted. Eyeball as a generous single tbsp plus a teaspoon smidge—melts evenly for garlic butter bliss.
Sticky Stuff: 20g Honey in Tea
Under 1 tbsp (0.95). Drizzle nearly full for natural sweetness; excess makes it soupy.
Seasoning: 20g Salt Caution
Just 1.1 tbsp. Start low—salt amplifies fast, ruining stocks or rubs.
These snapshots save frantic mid-recipe Googling.
US vs. International Tablespoons Explained
US recipes? Stick to 14.8ml tbsp above. Traveling or using UK/Aussie recipes?
- Metric Tbsp (Australia, NZ): 15ml → Slightly fewer tbsp for 20g.
- Imperial Tbsp (UK older): 17.7ml → Even fewer tbsp.
Example: 20g water = 1.35 US tbsp but ~1.19 metric. Always check recipe origin for pro results.
Advanced Tips for Perfect Measurements
Elevate from good to gourmet.
- Spoon & Level Method: For flour/sugar, spoon into spoon, scrape flat. Never scoop from bag—adds 20-30% extra weight.
- Packed vs. Loose: Brown sugar/honey? Press down firmly.
- Temperature Matters: Cold butter denser (more grams/tbsp); softened spreads lighter.
- No Scale? Volume Hacks: Use nutrition labels (often grams) + these charts.
- Batch Baking: Double 20g to 40g = 5.2 tbsp flour. Formula scales effortlessly.
Humidity tweaks flour slightly (drier air = lighter), but these hold 95% reliable.
Common Mistakes & Fixes
Avoid pitfalls pros dodge.
- Heaping Spoons: Adds unintended weight—level everything dry.
- Wrong Density: Don’t use water’s 1.33 for flour (disaster).
- Imperial Mix-Up: US tbsp smallest; confirm visuals online.
- Scaling Errors: 20g x3 = 60g = 7.7 tbsp flour, not 4 tbsp.
Fix: Print charts, practice once, taste-test tweaks.
Why Weigh in Grams for Better Baking?
Tablespoons work casually, but grams guarantee wins.
- Consistency: Same weight = same texture worldwide.
- Precision: Volume varies by scoop style/brand.
- Science: Pros (pastry chefs) swear by scales for macarons, bread.
Affordable digital scales ($10-20) pay off in flawless pies. Until then, these conversions bridge the gap.
Grams to Teaspoons Bonus (Since 1 Tbsp = 3 Tsp)
Quick pivot for finer measures.
| Ingredient | 20g in Tsp |
|---|---|
| Flour | 7.8 tsp |
| Sugar | 4.8 tsp |
| Salt | 3.3 tsp |
| Butter | 4.2 tsp |
Handy for spice pinches or small doughs.
FAQs: 20 Grams to Tablespoons Answered
How many tablespoons is 20 grams of flour?
About 2.6 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled for best results.
How many tablespoons in 20 grams of sugar?
1.6 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1.5 packed brown sugar.
20 grams butter to tablespoons?
Precisely 1.4 tablespoons—round to 1½ for recipes.
Is 20 grams equal to 1 tablespoon?
No, typically 1.33 for averages, but ingredient-specific: yes for ~15g items like water, no for flour (2.6 tbsp).
How many tablespoons is 20 grams of honey?
0.95 tablespoons—just shy of 1 full.
20 grams salt to tablespoons?
1.1 tablespoons; measure carefully to avoid over-salting.
Can I use the 20g to 1.33 tbsp rule for everything?
Only roughly for water-like densities; use charts for flour, fats, powders.
Best tool for grams to tablespoons?