Tablespoons to Teaspoons: Full Conversion Guide
Spoon measurements come up in almost every recipe. Whether you're scaling down a recipe or just working with an unfamiliar unit, knowing how tablespoons, teaspoons, and cups relate to each other is a fundamental cooking skill.
The Key Relationships
- 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons
- 1 cup = 16 tablespoons
- 1 cup = 48 teaspoons
- ½ cup = 8 tablespoons
- ¼ cup = 4 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon = ½ fluid ounce
Full Tablespoon to Teaspoon Conversion Chart
| Tablespoons | Teaspoons | Cups |
|---|---|---|
| ⅛ tbsp | ⅜ tsp | — |
| ¼ tbsp | ¾ tsp | — |
| ½ tbsp | 1½ tsp | — |
| 1 tbsp | 3 tsp | 1/16 cup |
| 2 tbsp | 6 tsp | ⅛ cup |
| 4 tbsp | 12 tsp | ¼ cup |
| 5 tbsp + 1 tsp | 16 tsp | ⅓ cup |
| 8 tbsp | 24 tsp | ½ cup |
| 12 tbsp | 36 tsp | ¾ cup |
| 16 tbsp | 48 tsp | 1 cup |
When You Don't Have the Right Spoon
If you're missing a measuring spoon size, here's how to improvise:
- 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons (use your teaspoon 3 times)
- ½ tablespoon = 1½ teaspoons
- ⅓ tablespoon = 1 teaspoon
- ¼ teaspoon = a small pinch between thumb and two fingers
Metric Equivalents
| US Measurement | Milliliters (ml) |
|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | 4.93 ml |
| 1 tablespoon | 14.79 ml |
| ¼ cup | 59.1 ml |
| ½ cup | 118.3 ml |
| 1 cup | 236.6 ml |
Quick Convert
For instant conversions between tablespoons, teaspoons, and cups, use our Tablespoon to Teaspoon Converter.