Are you trying to figure out how many cups of rice in a pound? You have come to the right place. Understanding the amount of rice in a pound can help you when it comes to meal planning, budgeting for food costs, and ensuring that your ingredients are measured accurately. In this post, we will explore just how much uncooked white long-grain rice is in one pound and provide some practical tips on measuring and storing it correctly. Keep reading to learn more about this essential staple ingredient.
Contents
- 1 Types of Rice And Their Weights
- 2 How Many Cups Of Rice In A Pound?
- 3 How Many Cups In A Bag Of Rice?
- 4 How Does Cooking Rice Affect Their Measurements?
- 5 How Many Servings Are In A Pound Of Rice?
- 6 How Many Calories Are In A Pound Of Cooked Rice?
- 7 What Rice Is The Cheapest Per Pound?
- 8 Quick Rice Cooking Tips
Types of Rice And Their Weights
Before knowing how many cups of rice in a pound, you should know types or rice and their weights. Different types of rice available on the market have varied weights and textures. Here are some common examples:
- White Rice: The most widely used and versatile rice, with a light texture and mild flavor. It typically weighs around 200 grams per cup or 16 ounces per pound.
- Brown Rice: A healthier option with a nutty flavor and chewy texture. It’s slightly heavier than white rice, weighing around 220 grams per cup or 14 ounces per pound.
- Long-Grain Rice: Slender grains that cook up fluffy and separated, weighing the same as white rice.
- Short Rice: Also known as sushi rice, it is sticky and moist, perfect for sushi and rice pudding. It is slightly heavier than other types, weighing around 190 grams per cup or 17 ounces per pound.
- Jasmine Rice: A fragrant rice commonly used in Thai and Southeast Asian dishes, weighing around 180 grams per cup or 18 ounces per pound.

How Many Cups Of Rice In A Pound?
The standard unit of measurement for rice in the United States is pounds. The answer to the question “how many cups of rice in a pound?” will vary based on the specific type of rice being measured. For most medium- and long-grain rice, including white rice, brown rice, and jasmine rice, the approximate answer to “how many cups of rice in a pound?” is about 2 cups of uncooked rice.
However, there are exceptions. Short-grain rice, such as sushi rice, is more dense and compact. Therefore, a pound of sushi rice will yield closer to 1 1/2 cups of uncooked rice. On the other hand, wild rice is longer and thinner compared to other rice varieties. As a result, a pound of wild rice may yield around 3 cups of uncooked rice.
How Many Cups In A Bag Of Rice?
Beside knowing how many cups of rice in a pound, you also should know how many cups in a bag of rice. The number of cups in a bag of rice depends on the type of rice. For uncooked short grain white rice, there are approximately 11.36 cups in a 5-pound bag. However, when cooked, the rice swells up and becomes denser, resulting in about 5.6 cups in a 5-pound load. It’s worth mentioning that the cup measurement may vary slightly for different types of rice, such as short grain white rice, long grain brown rice, or basmati rice, both when cooked and uncooked.

How Does Cooking Rice Affect Their Measurements?
Cooking rice affects its measurements in terms of volume and calorie content. When measuring rice, it’s important to consider whether it’s cooked or raw. While water doesn’t add calories to rice, it does cause the rice to expand.
For example, 1 cup of raw, white, long grain rice actually yields about 3 cups of cooked rice. In my food journal, I prefer to use cooked rice as it allows for easier measurement. Therefore, 1 cup of raw rice is approximately 675 calories, whereas 1 cup of cooked rice is approximately 225 calories (approximately).
How Many Servings Are In A Pound Of Rice?
After knowing how many cups of rice in a pound, you should know how many servings are in a pound of rice. One pound of rice contains approximately 55 servings. Each serving is equivalent to 1/4 cup of uncooked rice, which yields 1/2 cup of cooked rice. It is important to note that a serving size for most people is 1/2 cup of uncooked rice or 1 cup of cooked rice.
How Many Calories Are In A Pound Of Cooked Rice?
Serving Size | Calories |
---|---|
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37 |
![]() |
130 |
![]() |
242 |
![]() |
590 |
What Rice Is The Cheapest Per Pound?
Long-grain white rice is typically the most affordable and cheapest option per pound compared to other types such as brown rice, jasmine rice, and basmati rice. The price of rice can vary based on factors like the type of rice, brand, and purchase location. However, shopping at discount grocery stores or purchasing rice in bulk can often result in lower prices. Store-brand rice is also generally more cost-effective than name-brand options.

Read more: how to make sticky rice in a rice cooker
Quick Rice Cooking Tips
- Rinse the rice before cooking.
- Use a large heat-safe container like a square baking dish or a large bowl.
- Use 2 parts rice to 3 1/2 parts water.
- Microwave the rice on high until steam holes appear and most of the water has evaporated (around 10 minutes for 2 cups of rice).
- Microwave the rice covered on medium-low until the liquid is fully absorbed (around 15 minutes for 2 cups of rice). Use heat-safe plastic wrap as a cover.
- Fluff the rice with a fork and season before serving.
These tips will help you cook rice quickly and efficiently while ensuring fluffy results.

Bobby Kelly is a bartender at Molly Magees, an Irish pub in Mountain View. He’s been working there for two years and has developed a following among the regulars. Bobby is known for his friendly demeanor and great drink specials. He loves interacting with customers and making them feel welcome. When he’s not at work, Bobby enjoys spending time with his friends and family.
One cup of uncooked rice makes about 3 cups of cooked rice. edit: still can’t type.
one grain of rice does that?! That’s outstanding, could solve world hunger lol
Personally I do 1 cup per 2 people, but I eat a lot
I feel like I could eat a cup of rice myself
Rice is cheap, make more than you think you might need. I always go 1 cup dry for 2
And leftover rice is perfect for fried rice!