Whole to Ground Spice Converter
Convert whole spices to ground, or work out how much whole spice to grind for a recipe: peppercorns, cumin, coriander, fennel and mustard seed, cloves, allspice, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, star anise and nutmeg, in teaspoons, tablespoons and grams.
How it works
Ground volume = whole amount × spice factor · Factors (ground tsp per tsp whole): peppercorns 1.5 · cumin, coriander and fennel 1.25 · mustard seed 1.5 · allspice berries 1 · cloves 0.75 · Per piece: 1 clove = 1⁄12 tsp · 1 allspice berry = 0.2 tsp · 1 cardamom pod = 1⁄12 tsp · 3-inch cinnamon stick = ½ tsp · 1 star anise = ½ tsp · 1 nutmeg = 2 tsp · Ground → whole = ground ÷ factor · Weight is the same whole or ground; grams = ground tsp × g per tsp (pepper 2.3, cumin 2.1, coriander 1.8, cinnamon 2.6, nutmeg 2.2…)
How much ground spice you get from whole depends on the spice. Grinding fluffs light seeds into a powder that takes up more room, so a teaspoon of peppercorns gives about 1½ teaspoons of ground pepper, and cumin, coriander and fennel seed give about 1¼. Spices sold by the piece, such as cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, star anise and nutmeg, are converted per piece. The factors follow McCormick’s whole-to-ground chart, with the classic ½ teaspoon per cinnamon stick. You can convert either way: whole to ground, or how much whole spice to grind for a recipe that asks for ground. Grinding never changes the weight. That is why the converter also shows grams, using typical USDA weights per teaspoon of ground spice, and why you can enter grams to skip the spoon conversion entirely. The tables list common amounts of your spice and the rule for every spice.
Worked example
A chili recipe needs 2 teaspoons of ground cumin and you have whole seed. Choose Ground → whole: 2 ÷ 1.25 = 1.6 teaspoons, so toast and grind a heaped 1½ teaspoons of seed. The powder weighs about 2 × 2.1 = 4.2 g, so if you have a scale, simply grind 4.2 g of seed. Going the other way, one whole nutmeg grates to about 2 teaspoons of ground nutmeg, and 6 cardamom pods give about ½ teaspoon of ground cardamom.
Sources: McCormick — How to grind your own spices, plus spice conversions · USDA FoodData Central — spices, ground (grams per teaspoon)
Frequently asked questions
Why does ground spice not equal the whole amount exactly?
Grinding changes how the spice packs into a spoon. Light, hollow seeds become a fluffier powder that measures larger, so 1 teaspoon of peppercorns gives about 1½ teaspoons ground. The weight stays the same, so a kitchen scale avoids the question entirely.
How much ground spice is in a cinnamon stick or a whole nutmeg?
A 3-inch cinnamon stick is usually swapped for about ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, although grinding one yourself gives more powder. One whole nutmeg grates to about 2 teaspoons, so half a nutmeg is about 1 teaspoon.
How many cardamom pods make a teaspoon of ground cardamom?
About 12 green pods, split and with the husks removed, give 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom. The black seeds hold the flavor, so grind only those.
How do I substitute ground spice when a recipe asks for whole?
Choose Whole → ground and enter the recipe’s whole amount. For example, 1 teaspoon of whole coriander seed becomes about 1¼ teaspoons ground. Add ground spice later in cooking than whole, as it releases flavor at once and can turn bitter if fried too long.
Is freshly ground really better?
Yes. A spice’s aroma comes from volatile oils that start to evaporate as soon as it is ground, so pre-ground spices lose their punch within months. Whole spices keep for a year or more, so grinding to order gives noticeably stronger flavor.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.