How to Measure Weed: Cannabis Measurement Guide

Dosing is at the core of responsible cannabis use. Even when we’re using high-quality, third-party lab-tested cannabis products, an adverse experience isn’t out of the question—especially with a dose that’s way, way too high. Vaping or smoking too much bud is the quickest path to a session gone wrong. 

Understanding your limits is just as important as using your vaporizer properly. Without following these steps, the experience could go downhill fast. You probably don’t need to break out the scale and make sure your weed is measured precisely to the gram every single time. Eyeballing is typically enough, but that can take practice. I’ll give you somewhere to start.

How to measure cannabis bud

Cannabis flower can be measured by the gram or ounce. If you’re buying bud legally (which, of course, I’d strongly recommend), you typically won’t need to worry about larger measurements. It depends on where you live, but dispensaries may limit you to around one ounce per visit. You’ll need to drop by again later to purchase more. Also, there’s no benefit to buying quantities greater than what you can use in a few weeks’ time.

Now, let’s cover the basic terminology: 

• Eighth: An eighth of an ounce, or 3.5 grams.
• Quarter (quad): A quarter of an ounce, or 7 grams.
• Half: Half an ounce, or 14 grams.
• Ounce: 28 grams of cannabis. 

So, if you request an eighth of flower, what you’re asking for is 3.5 grams. 

For reference, a pound of weed is a whopping 454 grams (16 ounces). You’ll only be able to buy a fraction of that at once. Possessing more than a few ounces (or less) may also be illegal; the exact limit depends on where you reside. 

While these are terms you’ll need to know at most dispensaries, there are also some colloquial terms worth knowing. I’ll get into those below.

Weed measurement breakdown

How much is a gram?

A gram is about the weight of a single large nug of cannabis flower. In terms of weight, a gram of bud (also known as a “G”) is about equal to a standard paperclip.

One gram of flower is enough for one large joint, or two to three smaller joints. You can pack around two bowls with it (portable vaporizers like the Pax Plus have a 0.5-gram oven capacity; others can only hold 0.3 grams or less). In essence, you’re probably not getting more than a single session out of it.

How much is an eighth?

An eighth of flower (3.5 grams, also known as a “slice”) is enough to roll three to four large joints, or up to ten smaller ones. You can pack seven half-gram bowls with an eighth, or three-and-a-half full-gram bowls (if you’re going all-out with a desktop vaporizer). It weighs slightly more than a US penny and is visually the size of a kiwi. 

Some dispensaries require customers to buy an eighth of bud or more; it’s often the smallest size on the menu. In dispensaries that also sell individual grams, there may be a price break per gram when you buy an eighth or more.

How much is a quarter?

A quarter-ounce (seven grams) of bud lets us roll seven large joints or 14 to 21 smaller ones; it’s enough to pack 14 half-gram bowls or seven full-gram bowls. It weighs approximately as much as a pencil and looks about the size of an apple, if we’re measuring visually. This quantity of flower is also known as a "quad" or "Q".

How much is a half?

A half-ounce (14 grams) of bud is enough to roll 14 large joints, 28 half-gram joints, or 42 bite-sized one-hitters. We can pack 28 half-gram bowls or 14 full-gram bowls with this quantity of flower. It weighs about as much as three sheets of paper and is visually grapefruit-sized. We can also call a half-ounce of bud a "half zip" or "half O".

How much is an ounce?

With one ounce (28 grams) of flower—also known as a zip—you can roll 28 full-gram joints or between 56 and 84 smaller joints. It’s enough to pack 28 full-gram bowls or 56 half-gram bowls and weighs about as much as a slice of bread.

One ounce is almost always the largest amount sold in dispensaries.

We kept a close eye on this when I was budtending. Our system wouldn’t allow purchases beyond one ounce, and we’d memorized the conversions needed for customers buying more than one product type (oil, vape carts, etc.). You can’t skirt these rules and stay in business.

One ounce might also be the most weed you can legally possess, depending on where you live. In Massachusetts, you can keep up to 10 ounces at home, but other states have harsher restrictions. California and Montana only allow residents to possess one ounce at a time. Many other states fall somewhere in the middle.

Cannabis measurement chart

How to measure cannabis: FAQ

How much does an ounce of cannabis cost?

It depends on the location. In some regions, the average price can vary greatly between establishments—even within a small geographic area.

When I lived in a small, very weed-friendly city with several dispensaries near downtown, the cost differed more than I’d expected. An affordable location sold certain ounces for $50-60, while a higher-end dispensary charged over $100. You might sacrifice quality, but it’s worth shopping around for deals.

I’d expect to pay between $80-200 for a typical ounce, but that’s just my experience as someone who’s purchased cannabis in several states (two recreational, one medical). Cheaper options are out there, but again, you may not get the best bud available. 

How many grams of weed should I vape per day?

It’s highly dependent on the individual, and we’d need to consider:

• Why someone is vaping or smoking cannabis
• Tolerance
• Desired intensity

Those aren’t the only variables playing into a person’s need for weed, either. Medical conditions, body weight, and medications can all make an impact. 

If you’re new to cannabis, vaping more than half a gram could be overkill. I’d also recommend to first-timers that, no matter how much you’re vaping, be sure to take it slow. Relax and enjoy the ride instead of rushing to finish your bowl. Wait for the effects to settle in and puff more, as needed. 

With that in mind, a half-gram to one gram (per session) is typical for many vapers. You might need more if your tolerance is high.  Or you might need much less.

Can I measure weed without a scale?

We can’t know the precise measurement without a scale, though it’s not too challenging to eyeball flower and make an educated guess. I wouldn’t say a scale is a must-have when dosing bud, but it doesn’t hurt.

If you’d rather measure weed without a scale, there are a couple of techniques worth trying:

• Use measuring spoons: One level teaspoon or ground weed comes out to around one gram; a tablespoon could be 2.5 grams or more (depending on moisture content and grind size). 
• Use cones or rolling paper: I’m biased towards vaping, but if you’d rather smoke, you can use the size of the paper (or cone) as a reference; most can hold about a half-gram to one gram of herb comfortably.

I also provided some visual comparisons earlier if you’d rather rely on those. 

Those sensitive to cannabis (or anyone tracking their consumption) will probably find a scale worth the investment. I have a simple one that only cost me around $15—but to be fair, I don’t normally use it for weed purposes. Scales aren’t always necessary, and the decision to measure bud with one comes down to personal preference. 

How much weed do I need for one joint?

The exact amount comes down to preference. You’ll probably want at least 0.25 grams for a one-hitter, or a half-gram to one gram for a full-size joint. Going bigger is an option, but your joint might get unwieldy.