How much does a tablespoon of grated Parmesan weigh?
A tablespoon of grated Parmesan weighs 5 g in the USDA reference entry. That is a useful estimate for a level spoonful, but your own spoonful can weigh more if the cheese is finely grated, packed, or heaped.
Grams in a tablespoon of grated Parmesan
USDA FoodData Central entry 171247, “Cheese, parmesan, grated”, gives 5 g for one tablespoon. It is a reference portion for that food entry, useful when a scale is unavailable.
| Grated Parmesan | Reference weight | Energy at 420 kcal per 100 g |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon | 5 g | 21 kcal |
| 2 tablespoons | 10 g | 42 kcal |
| 3 tablespoons | 15 g | 63 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 420 kcal |
The same USDA entry lists 420 kcal per 100 g. The tablespoon figures are calculated as 420 × portion weight ÷ 100. If your packet lists another value, use its label for your food diary.
Why your spoonful may weigh more or less
Grating changes how cheese fills a spoon. Coarse shreds leave more space between pieces; finer cheese can be pressed in more tightly. A heaped spoon is also a larger portion than a level one. The USDA's 5 g figure should not be treated as the weight of every spoonful you serve.
If you grate Parmesan often, weigh several of your usual spoonfuls together and divide by the number of spoons. That gives you a more useful estimate for your grater and serving habit. Our portion-size guide covers other foods when you cannot use a scale.
Logging Parmesan added to a meal
Enter Parmesan separately from pasta, soup, or salad: the weight of the finished plate does not tell you how much cheese was sprinkled on it. For two level tablespoons, the reference estimate is 10 g. If you have a scale, zero it with the plate in place before adding the cheese.
For a shared recipe, weigh the total cheese stirred into the pot and split it across the portions. Log cheese added at the table separately. Our guide to counting calories in home cooking shows how to total a recipe.
Grated cheese and a solid piece are different measures
The 5 g tablespoon applies to grated Parmesan. It cannot tell you the weight of a solid piece, because the spoon measure describes a volume of shreds. Weigh a cut piece if you can. The grated Parmesan measures card provides a quick reference for the grated form.
Frequently asked questions
- How many grams of grated Parmesan are in a tablespoon?
- USDA FoodData Central entry 171247 lists 5 g for one tablespoon of grated Parmesan. A heaped or packed spoonful, or a different shred size, can change the actual weight.
- How many calories are in a tablespoon of grated Parmesan?
- At the USDA value of 420 kcal per 100 g, a reference 5 g tablespoon provides 21 kcal. Use the label value for the cheese you bought.
- Does the tablespoon measure work for pieces of Parmesan?
- No. The 5 g measure describes grated cheese. Weigh a solid piece instead.
- How should I log Parmesan on pasta?
- Log it separately from the pasta. Weigh what you add to your plate, or estimate 5 g per level tablespoon if a scale is unavailable.
Read next
- How to determine portion size without a scale — Portion weight is the most inaccurate variable in any calculation, including analysis by photo.
- How to count calories in homemade food — Processed foods are counted by the label, and restaurant meals by a reference guide.
- Why the tracker shows a deficit but weight remains the same — The app has shown a deficit for four weeks, but the scale hasn't moved.
This article is for general information. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a prescription for treatment or a diet, and it does not replace a consultation with your doctor. If you have a health condition, are pregnant, take medication, or follow a diet prescribed to you, decisions about food belong with your doctor.
Figures from regulations, guidelines and studies are given as they stood when this article was prepared and may since have changed; check them against the primary sources. This article is not advertising, an offer, or individual advice, and neither the author nor the site owner is responsible for decisions taken on the basis of it.