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What does 1 cup of compost look like?
This one is hard to photograph exactly: some sizes in the photo are off. Every number on this page is exact, so trust the figures.
Volume
Weighs 5.01 oz (142 g)
Quick answer
1 cup of compost: about the size of a coffee mug: 16 tablespoons, or 1 cups.
1 cup of compost weighs 5.01 oz (142 g) and has a volume of 16 tbsp (237 mL). When poured into a loose pile, it is 5.21 in (13.2 cm) wide and 2.03 in (5.17 cm) tall, which is about the size of a coffee mug.
- Pile width
- 5.21 in (13.2 cm)
- Pile height
- 2.03 in (5.17 cm)
- Density
- 0.6 g/mL
Density estimated by AI from typical values. Compost typically ranges 0.45–0.75 g/mL depending on how it's packed. A firmly packed scoop weighs more.
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Questions people ask
- How much space does 1 cup of compost take up in kitchen measurements?
- It equals 48 teaspoons, 16 tablespoons, or 1 cups.
- What is the typical density of compost?
- The typical density is 0.6 g/mL, with a range of 0.45 to 0.75 g/mL depending on packing.
- What items are shown in the photo for scale?
- The photo shows the compost next to a soda can, a credit card, and a 5-gallon bucket.