Guide To Measuring Cannabis Flower: Grams, Eighths, Quarters, Ounces

The marijuana industry in the US borrows from the Europeans and utilizes the metric system to weigh flower in grams and ounces. Here is a quick breakdown of common measurement:

• 3.5 grams = 1/8 of an ounce or eighth
• 7 grams = 1/4 of an ounce or quarter
• 14 grams = ½ of an ounce or half
• 28 grams = 1 ounce

Remember that the amount you can purchase depends on state purchase and possession limits, as well as whether or not you have a medical marijuana card. 

A gram is one of the smallest increments of cannabis flower that you can buy--around 1 or 2 small nugs. Beginners favor this smaller quantity, and even experienced canna-enthusiasts sometimes prefer the gram to test out a new strain.

Here’s how a gram compares to other common cannabis measurements:

• How many grams are in a quarter: 7 grams

• How many grams are in an eighth: 3.5 grams

• How many grams are in a half ounce: 14 grams 

Remember the size can vary, depending on the density and moisture content of the particular strain. But typically, a gram fits comfortably in the palm of your hand or a small stash box.

Prices for a gram of cannabis can range from $5 to over $20. In most recreational markets, consumers can generally spend $10-$15 for a quality gram of flower from a reputable dispensary. Factors like demand, taxes, and the grower's operating costs impact the final price per gram.

Even though a gram is the smallest amount of flower that can be purchased, there is still a lot you can do with it. Here are some examples of what you can do with a gram of flower:

• Pack 3 One-Hitters: With a gram, you can easily pack around 3 lean one-hitters.
  
  

• Roll 1-2 Joints: Depending on your technique and quantity used for each, you should be able to get 1 or 2 joints out of a gram of cannabis flower.
  
  

• Fill 1 Bowl: Those who prefer hand pipes or bongs can expect to pack 1 medium-to-large sized bowl with a gram of flower.
  
  

For many occasional cannabis consumers, a gram may be enough for 2 or 3 sessions. Regular or daily consumers may only get 1 or 2 uses out of a gram before needing to re-supply.

An eighth of marijuana flower refers to one-eighth of an ounce, or 3.5 grams. This amount consists of several small nuggets or buds that have been trimmed or cured. Some strains are more dense than others, so an eighth of one strain may look different than an eighth of another strain.

• How many grams are in an eighth: 3.5 grams
  

• How many eighths are in an ounce: 8 eighths (An eighth is 1/8th of an ounce)

• How many eighths are in a quarter: 7 grams or 2 eighths
  

Remember the size can vary, depending on the density and moisture content of the particular strain. But typically, a gram fits comfortably in the palm of your hand or a small stash box.

You can typically expect to pay between $25 - $60 for an eighth of quality flower from a licensed dispensary. Prices can vary, depending on the strain type and concentration.

Here are some examples of consumption options, but the actual amounts and usage counts can vary, since it all depends on the user:

• Roll 3-5 Joints: With an eighth, you'll have enough cannabis to hand-roll between 3 and 5 slim joints.
  
  

• Pack 6 Bowls: An eighth of flower should provide enough to pack approximately 6 medium-sized bowls. The key is packing the bowl firmly but not too tightly compressed. Proper bowl packing helps maximize consumption from your eighth.
  
  

• Roll 2-3 Blunts: Blunts are larger than joints and require more flower, so an eighth will give you enough to roll roughly 2 or 3 blunts. 
  
  

In general, an eighth is considered about a week’s worth of flower for the average customer.

A quarter of marijuana flower, also called a “quad” or a “Q,” is one quarter of an ounce (1/4), or 7 grams. This amount will give you around 6 or 7 medium-sized buds, depending on the density of the flower for a particular strain. For example, 1 mid-sized bud weighs about 1 gram, so picture 6 or 7 average-sized marijuana flower buds packed together.

Here’s how a quarter compares to other common marijuana measurements:

• How many grams are in a quarter: 7 grams

• How many eighths are in a quarter of marijuana: 2 eighths

• How many quarters are in an ounce of marijuana: 4 quarters
  
  

If you’re purchasing seven grams of a classic strain like Blue Dream, you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 up to $100. (This does not include tax, which will be added to the total.)

A quarter of cannabis is popular due to its versatility in how you can use it. This amount should cover all of your cannabis needs.

• Roll 6-7 Joints: Depending on how you pack and roll your joints, you can make 6 to 7 seven joints.
  
  

• Pack 30 One-Hitters: A quarter will let you pack up to 30 one-hitters.
  
  

• Roll 6-7 Blunts: A quarter-ounce of cannabis flower will roll up to 6 or 7 average-sized blunts, containing around 1 gram each. Some larger blunts and other blunt wraps can contain up to 2 grams of cannabis, accounting for 3 larger blunts and a smaller 1-gram blunt. 
  
  

For occasional consumers, a quarter may last two weeks or longer, and regular consumers may use a quarter within a week or a few days.

An ounce of cannabis is one of the largest amounts of flower you can purchase at a dispensary, and it comes with a significant price tag. Weighing in at 28 grams, this amount will get you 25-30 flower buds, or enough to fill a sandwich-sized plastic bag. (That’s why it’s sometimes called a “zip”!) 

When putting different flower sizes beside each other, it's clear that an ounce is quite a large amount of cannabis. Here’s how it compares to other marijuana measurements:

• How many grams are in an ounce of marijuana: 28 grams

• How many eighths are in an ounce: 8 eighths

• How many quarters are in an ounce: 4 quarters
  
  
  

Once you get a hang for how much marijuana comes with each measured amount, you’ll easily know how much you need. Still, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have about marijuana measurements, including:

How many grams are in an eighth of marijuana?

There are 3.5 grams in an eighth of marijuana.

How much is an ounce of marijuana?

An ounce of marijuana is 28 grams.

What is a quarter of marijuana?

A quarter of marijuana is 7 grams.

Can I legally possess a quarter of flower?

How much cannabis you can possess depends upon state laws regarding possession of marijuana. Talk to your budtender for specific details about your state’s laws and possession limits.

Is an eighth the same as 3.5 grams?

Yes, an eighth is definitely the same thing as 3.5 grams of dried cannabis flower.

What is a five-gram eighth?

While vendors should generally stick to standard weights, you may see some dispensaries advertising a "five-gram eighth." This means they are selling a bit more than a standard eighth: 3.5 grams.

Is an eighth the same as a slice?

Yes, an eighth is also called a “slice.” A slice is a popular amount because it’s enough to have some on hand, but not so much that you need to worry about keeping it fresh during a long storage period. 

Can I legally possess a quarter of flower?

How much cannabis you can possess depends upon state laws regarding possession of marijuana. Talk to your budtender for specific details about your state’s laws and possession limits.

Is 3.5 grams of cannabis a quarter?

No, 3.5 grams of cannabis refers to an eighth, not a quarter.

Is two eighths a quad?

Yes. Two eighths is a quad, aka a quarter or seven grams.

Can I legally possess an ounce of flower?

An ounce of marijuana may possibly exceed the legal possession limit, depending on the local state laws. Check the rules and regulations in your area to make sure you are in compliance.

Is it worth it to buy an ounce of flower?

If you've tried different strains and found one that you prefer, you may want to investigate buying an ounce of flower.

Is an ounce the same as a zip of marijuana?

“Zip” is a slang term for one ounce of marijuana, and yes, an ounce of zip is the same as an ounce of marijuana.

Knowing Your Marijuana Measurements

Slang terms are a thing of the past, so it’s important to know and understand modern marijuana dispensary measurements to ensure you are getting exactly what you want. And if you don’t know, just ask a budtender! They’re there to help you through your entire purchase process.