How to Measure Flour Correctly

The way you measure flour can make or break a recipe. Scooping flour directly from the bag can add up to 30% more flour than intended — turning fluffy cakes into dense bricks and tender biscuits into tough pucks.

The Spoon & Level Method

This is the gold standard for measuring flour by volume. Here's how:

1. Fluff the flour in the bag or canister with a spoon or fork. Flour compacts during storage, so loosening it first is essential.
2. Spoon the flour into your measuring cup, letting it mound slightly. Don't shake or tap the cup — that compresses the flour.
3. Level it off with a straight edge (a butter knife or the back of a knife works perfectly). Sweep across the top in one smooth motion.

Why Not Just Scoop?

When you plunge the measuring cup directly into the flour bag, you compress the flour against the sides and bottom of the cup. This packs in extra flour — sometimes up to 30 grams more per cup. Over 3 cups of flour in a recipe, that's an extra 90 grams (almost ¾ of a cup) of unintended flour.

The Best Method: Use a Scale

If you're serious about consistent results, invest in a digital kitchen scale. Weighing flour eliminates all the variability of cup measurements. Most professional bakers and recipe developers use weight measurements for exactly this reason.

Flour Conversion Quick Reference

Need more detail? Check individual flour pages: Plain Flour, Self-Raising Flour, Bread Flour, Almond Flour, Coconut Flour.

Frequently Asked Questions