Kosher Salt Conversion: Diamond Crystal vs Morton

Updated 17 April 2026

Diamond Crystal kosher salt weighs about 9 grams per tablespoon. Morton kosher salt weighs about 15 grams. Table salt weighs about 18 grams. This is why swapping salt brands ruins recipes: a tablespoon of Diamond Crystal contains nearly half the salt of a tablespoon of Morton, by weight.

Salt Weight Reference Table

Salt Typeper tspper tbspNote
Table salt (iodised)6 g18 gDensest. Packs tightly because of fine grain.
Morton kosher salt5 g15 gFlat, dense crystals.
Diamond Crystal kosher salt3 g9 gHollow pyramids, pack loosely. Flakiest.
Maldon sea salt (flakes)2 g6 gVery light flakes. Finishing salt, not cooking.
Fine sea salt5.5 g16.5 gSimilar to table salt density.
Coarse sea salt4 g12 gVariable. Depends on crystal size.
Fleur de sel3 g9 gDelicate flakes. Similar to Diamond Crystal.
Pink Himalayan (fine)5.5 g16.5 gFine grind is similar to fine sea salt.

Substitution Guide

If you have the wrong brand, use this table to adjust. Values are approximate; weigh for precision.

Diamond CrystalMorton equivalentTable salt equivalent
1 tsp (3 g)1/2 tsp (2.5 g)1/3 tsp (2 g)
1 tbsp (9 g)1.75 tsp (8.75 g)1.5 tsp (9 g)
2 tbsp (18 g)1 tbsp + 1.5 tsp (17.5 g)1 tbsp (18 g)
1/4 cup (36 g)2.5 tbsp (37.5 g)2 tbsp (36 g)

Why Do They Weigh So Differently?

Diamond Crystal kosher salt is made using the Alberger process, which creates hollow pyramid-shaped crystals. These pyramids pack into a measuring spoon with a lot of air between them. The result is about 9 g per tablespoon: mostly air, less salt by weight. Morton kosher salt uses flat, dense crystals (similar to a platelet shape) that nestle closely together. One tablespoon holds about 15 g: much more salt mass in the same volume. Neither is "saltier" as a substance, they are the same sodium chloride. The difference is purely physical packing. By weight, 9 g of either brand will taste identical. By volume, they taste very different.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute Morton for Diamond Crystal kosher salt?
Yes, but you must adjust the quantity. Diamond Crystal weighs about 9 g per tablespoon. Morton weighs about 15 g per tablespoon. If a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon Diamond Crystal, use roughly 1.5 to 2 teaspoons of Morton (about 10-12 g) to get the same saltiness.
Why do Diamond Crystal and Morton weigh differently?
The difference is grain shape. Diamond Crystal kosher salt crystals are hollow pyramids that pack loosely in a spoon, trapping a lot of air. Morton kosher salt crystals are flat and dense, packing much more tightly. By volume the same tablespoon holds nearly twice as much Morton salt by weight.
Which brand do most recipes assume?
Many professional food publications including NYT Cooking, Serious Eats, and Bon Appetit have traditionally defaulted to Diamond Crystal. Always check the recipe notes, because increasingly writers specify which brand. If no brand is mentioned and the recipe comes from a serious food source, Diamond Crystal is more likely.
Is sea salt or table salt the same as kosher salt by volume?
No. Table salt (fine-grained, iodised or not) weighs about 18 g per tablespoon because the crystals are very small and pack tightly. Fine sea salt is similar. Coarse sea salt varies. When substituting, use weight rather than volume for precision.
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