Understanding the Relationship Between Food Grammage and Packaging Volume

food volume to grammage calculation

When choosing the right packaging for food, many customers often ask:

👉 “How many grams of food can fit into this jar or bottle?”

The answer isn’t always straightforward. This is because the weight (grammage) of food does not directly equal the volume (ml) of a container. Different foods have different densities, textures, and air spaces that affect how much can fit inside.

Why Grammage ≠ Volume

  • Density matters: 100 grams of almonds will not take up the same space as 100 grams of flour.

  • Shape and size: Small, round foods like raisins pack differently compared to irregular-shaped foods like muruku or cornflakes.

  • Moisture content: Wet foods (like rendang, sambal, or honey) are heavier and denser than dry foods (like popcorn, oats, or biscuits).

For example

  • 250ml bottle

    • Can fit about 150–180g of almonds.

    • Can only fit around 80–100g of popcorn.

    • But it can hold nearly 250g of sugar, because sugar is dense.

This shows why one container can hold very different weights depending on the food.

Practical Examples

  • 300g of rice may fit well in a 300ml jar.

  • 300g of marshmallows would require a much larger jar (around 700ml or more).

  • 500g of honey fits neatly into a 300ml bottle.

  • 500g of dry squid might take more than 1200ml due to irregular shapes.

Why This Matters for You

Choosing the right packaging ensures:

  • Cost savings (no oversized containers).

  • Better presentation (a snug fit looks professional).

  • Longer shelf life (less empty space reduces oxidation for some foods).

Final Thoughts

Food packaging is not “one size fits all.” A jar that holds 500ml may fit 500g of sugar, but only 200g of nuts, or 100g of marshmallows.

Understanding the relationship between food grammage and packaging volume helps you make smarter choices, whether you are packing biscuits for festive sales, anchovies for daily use, or sauces for retail shelves.