The short answer: A cup of dry lentils typically weighs about 190 to 200 grams (6.7 to 7 ounces). As compact seeds, lentils have a fairly steady dry weight per cup.
Cup of lentils weight by type
A cup of lentils weighs differently depending on the variety and whether the lentils are dry or cooked.
| Type (example) | Typical weight |
|---|---|
| Dry brown / green lentils | 190 to 200 g (6.7 to 7 oz) |
| Dry red / split lentils | 190 to 210 g (6.7 to 7.4 oz) |
| Cooked lentils | 190 to 200 g (6.7 to 7 oz) |
| Dry Puy / French lentils | 190 to 200 g (6.7 to 7 oz) |
What affects cup of lentils weight
- Dry vs. cooked. Lentils absorb water and gain weight after cooking.
- Variety. Split red lentils pack slightly differently than whole brown ones.
- Packing. Settling or tapping the cup compacts the lentils.
- Moisture. Stored lentils can absorb a little ambient humidity.
- Whole vs. split. Split lentils have less air space than whole ones.
How cup of lentils weight compares
A cup of dry lentils weighs about the same as a stick and a half of butter, or roughly as much as a medium apple plus a small orange.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cup of cooked lentils weigh?
A cup of cooked lentils weighs roughly 190 to 200 grams, since cooked lentils take up more space per gram than dry ones.
How much do lentils expand when cooked?
Lentils roughly double or triple in volume after cooking, so one cup of dry lentils yields about two to three cups cooked.
How many cups are in a pound of dry lentils?
A pound of dry lentils (454 grams) equals roughly two and a quarter to two and a half cups.
