Active Dry Yeast — Measurement Converter
A teaspoon of active dry yeast (also called dried yeast) weighs about 3.1 g and a tablespoon about 9.31 g. A full US cup comes to 149 g, though almost no recipe calls for that much.
💡 Tip: Active dry yeast is traditionally bloomed in warm water before using. One packet is about 2¼ tsp, or 7 g.
Active Dry Yeast: teaspoons, tablespoons and cups in grams
| Amount | Grams |
|---|---|
| 1/4 tsp | 0.78 |
| 1/2 tsp | 1.55 |
| 1 tsp | 3.1 |
| 2 tsp | 6.21 |
| 1 tbsp | 9.31 |
| 2 tbsp | 18.6 |
| 1/4 cup | 37.3 |
| 1/3 cup | 49.7 |
| 1/2 cup | 74.5 |
| 1 cup | 149 |
Yeast packets, teaspoons and grams
One standard packet of active dry yeast is 7 g, which is 2¼ teaspoons — the amount most bread recipes call for. A teaspoon weighs about 3.1 g. Active dry yeast is traditionally proofed first: dissolve it in warm liquid around 110°F for 5–10 minutes until foamy, which also confirms it's alive.
It's interchangeable with instant yeast 1:1; active dry just works a little slower and benefits from that head start.
Active Dry Yeast by weight: what each amount measures
| Grams | Amount | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1/3 tsp | 0.04 |
| 2 | 5/8 tsp | 0.07 |
| 3 | 1 tsp | 0.11 |
| 5 | 1 5/8 tsp | 0.18 |
| 7 | 2 1/4 tsp | 0.25 |
| 10 | 1 1/8 tbsp | 0.35 |
| 15 | 1 5/8 tbsp | 0.53 |
| 20 | 2 1/8 tbsp | 0.71 |
| 25 | 2 2/3 tbsp | 0.88 |
| 50 | 1/3 cup | 1.76 |
| 100 | 2/3 cup | 3.53 |
How active dry yeast compares with other spices & leaveners
Among the 9 spices & leaveners charted here, active dry yeast is 4th heaviest at 149 g per cup, between ground cinnamon at 125 g and vanilla extract at 208 g.
It weighs the same per cup as instant yeast (149 g), so those two swap one-for-one whether you measure by cup or by scale.
Frequently asked questions
- How many grams is a teaspoon of active dry yeast?
- About 3.1 g. Most home scales cannot read that reliably, so measuring spoons are the practical route here.
- How many grams is a packet of yeast?
- One standard packet is 7 g, which is 2¼ teaspoons.
- How many teaspoons are in a packet of active dry yeast?
- 2¼ teaspoons, about 7 g.
- Do I need to proof active dry yeast?
- Traditionally yes — dissolve it in warm liquid (about 110°F) for 5–10 minutes until foamy. Modern active dry can often be mixed straight into the flour.
- Can I substitute active dry for instant yeast?
- Yes, 1:1. Active dry works a little slower and benefits from proofing, while instant goes straight into the dough.
- How much yeast for a loaf of bread?
- About 1 packet (2¼ teaspoons / 7 g) for a standard loaf using 3 to 4 cups of flour.
- How many grams is a tablespoon of active dry yeast?
- About 9.31 g per tablespoon — there are 16 tablespoons in a cup.
- How many teaspoons is 5g of active dry yeast?
- Roughly 1 5/8 tsp — at 3.1 g per teaspoon.
- How many grams is 1 cup of active dry yeast?
- A level US cup of active dry yeast comes to roughly 149 g (5.26 oz on a scale).