The short answer: A single grain of uncooked long-grain rice weighs about 0.02 grams (0.0007 ounces). Long-grain types are generally a little heavier than short-grain ones.
Grain of rice weight by type
A single rice grain weighs only a fraction of a gram, varying slightly by the type and length of the grain.
| Type (example) | Typical weight per grain |
|---|---|
| Long-grain (basmati, jasmine) | 0.020 to 0.025 g |
| Medium-grain | 0.018 to 0.022 g |
| Short-grain (sushi) | 0.015 to 0.020 g |
| 1,000 grains (approximate) | about 20 to 25 g |
What affects grain of rice weight
- Grain type. Long-grain varieties are generally heavier than short-grain ones.
- Polishing. Milled white grains weigh a little less than unpolished brown.
- Moisture content. Drier grains weigh slightly less than freshly harvested ones.
- Variety. Different cultivars produce grains of slightly different sizes.
- Broken grains. Cracked or broken grains weigh less than whole ones.
How grain of rice weight compares
A single grain of rice weighs about the same as a single grain of table salt is heavy, and it would take roughly 50 grains to make just one gram.
Frequently asked questions
How many grains of rice are in a gram?
Since one grain weighs about 0.02 grams, roughly 45 to 50 grains of long-grain rice add up to one gram.
How many grains of rice are in a cup?
A cup of dry rice holds roughly 7,000 to 8,000 grains, depending on the variety and grain size.
Does cooked rice weigh more per grain?
Yes. A cooked grain absorbs water and can weigh two to three times as much as an uncooked grain.
