Note* I prefer to round up or round down my conversions to the nearest whole number because the little 0.3ml or less that is missing from the whole number won’t make any significant difference in your recipe unless you are cooking for a crowd of maybe 100 people or more then, it might make some difference in taste.
There are 16 tablespoons in a US cup, 17 tablespoons in a UK (metric) cup, and 12.5 tablespoons using the Australian cup and spoon measurement.
There are numerous cup and spoon sizes in the world which is why there are differences between the measurement of one system to another.
Converting cups to tablespoons is common when cooking because it allows us to scale up or down a recipe, measure the ingredient accurately when we don’t have a measuring cup, etc.
The tables in the sections below make it easier to convert various cup sizes to tablespoons.
types of measuring cups and spoons and their respective countries
At the moment, there are two most common measuring system which is the United States (US) standard cup which some call the customary cup, and the metric cup.
The metric cup contains has a volume of 250ml and is the common cup and spoon measurement that is used in dozens of commonwealth countries, Canada, etc.
The US cup has a volume of 240ml and is largely used in the United States only where cups and spoons are the preferred way of measuring ingredients for recipes.
The metric system prefers to measure its ingredients by weight and not cups for accuracy. As a kitchen scale is the most accurate tool of measurement for recipes
Other uncommonly used cups are the US legal cup used for Food labeling and is subject to FDA standards, the Russian cup, the Japanese cup, and the UK imperial cup which contains 280ml and is found in old recipes that were written before 1960.
how to know if your measuring cup is metric/imperial/standard
Considering that most of the world uses a teaspoon size of 5ml, and a tablespoon size of 15ml except in some countries such as Australia where a tablespoon contains 20ml.
It is usually the cup that best indicates whether the cup sizes are based on US customary measurements or metric measurements.
This is why it is advised that you buy the measuring cup set that has the volume of the cup indicated on it.
It is from the volume that you understand the type of measuring system it is based on.
If you already have a measuring cup and it doen’t have its volume indicated, you can try filling the one cup size with water and measuring its volume in a measuring cup.
You can also measure the weight of the cup when it is filled to with water on a kitchen scale.
I hope these tips help you know your measuring cup’s measuring system. You should check out the tables down below for any cup size and its equivalent volume in ml.
a cup is how many tablespoons
There are many scenarios that can make a home cook look for a cup to tablespoon conversion.
Depending on the country where the recipe was made, the cup size and tablespoon size determines the the total teaspoons in a cup.
The following the most common cup and spoon measurements around the world:
- A US standard/customary 240ml cup contains 16 tablespoon of a US 15ml tablespoon
Note*there are 3 teaspoons in a tablespoon or a teaspoon is 1/3 of a tablespoon.
| Cups | US Tablespoons | Volume (fl oz) | Volume (ml) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 16 tablespoons | 8 fl oz | 240ml |
| 3/4 cup | 12 tablespoons | 6 fl oz | 180ml |
| 2/3 cup | 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons | 5 fl oz | 160ml |
| 1/2 cup | 8 tablespoons | 4 fl oz | 120ml |
| 1/3 cup | 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon | 2.5 fl oz | 79ml |
| 1/4 cup | 4 tablespoons | 2 fl oz | 60ml |
| 1/6 cup | 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons | 1.25 fl oz | 40ml |
| 1/8 cup | 2 tablespoons | 1 fl oz | 30ml |
| 1/16 cup | 1 tablespoon | 1/2 fl oz | 15ml |
- A UK and Canadian 250ml metric cup contains 17 tablespoons of a UK/canadian 15ml tablespoon
Note*there are 3 teaspoons in a tablespoon or a teaspoon is 1/3 of a tablespoon
| Cups | Uk Tablespoons | Volume (ml) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 17 tbsp | 250ml |
| 3/4 cup | 12 tbsp + 2 tsp | 188ml |
| 2/3 cup | 11 tbsp + 1 tsp | 167ml |
| 1/2 cup | 8 tbsp + 2 tsp | 125ml |
| 1/3 cup | 5 tbsp + 2 tsp | 83ml |
| 1/4 cup | 4 tbsp + 1 tsp | 63ml |
| 1/6 cup | 3 tbsp | 42ml |
| 1/8 cup | 2 tbsp | 31ml |
| 1/16 cup | 1 tbsp | 17ml |
- An Australian 250ml metric cup contains 12.5 tablespoons of an Australian 20ml tablespoon.
how to convert cups to tablespoons
You might be wondering how we are able to know before confirming the number of tablespoons ina cup. Well, we just ue simple mathematics. The formula is:
- Number of tablespoons = cup size x 16 tablespoons – UK size
- a US cup contains 16 tablespoons e.g.
- 1/2 cup size x 16 = 8 tablespoons
- a US cup contains 16 tablespoons e.g.
- Number of tablespoons = cup size x 17 tablespoons – Metric cup size
- a metric cup contains 17 tablespoons e.g.
- 1/3 cup x 17 = 5.67 = 5 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
- a metric cup contains 17 tablespoons e.g.
- Number of tablespoons = cup size x 12.5 tablespoons – Australian size
- a US cup contains 12.5 tablespoons e.g.
- 1/4 cup x 12.5 = 3.125 = 3 tablespoons
- a US cup contains 12.5 tablespoons e.g.
I hope I have made it easy to understand how to convert cups to tablespoons depending on the measuring system you are using
Tablespoon vs dessert spoon measurement
Just fromm its name, you are correct to assume that the dessert spoon is used eat desserts. It is larger than a teaspoon but not as big as a tablespoon
A dessert spoon is equal to 2 teaspoons while 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
Some like to use the dessert spoon for measurements but I will prefer you use a teaspoon or tablespoon as most ingredients use either of these.
is there a difference in wet or dry measurements?
Wet and dry ingredients are measured using the same tools most of the time except the liquid measuring cup which is best for liquid measurement.
Cups (used for both dry and wet ingredients), spoons (used to measure both dry and wet ingredients), kitchen scale (used to measure both dry and wet ingredients), and liquid measuring cup (used to measure liquid ingredients) are the common measuring tools that most recipes use.
Just be cautious of using cup or spoons that only indicate their sizes without their volume measurement in ounces or mililitres.
If it is indicated, you can use it for measuring both wet and dry ingredients. The measurement will be accurate. To ensure measuring accuracy espcially when baking, read the measuring tips below.
measuring dry ingredients
Dry ingredients are most comonly measured by cups or a kitchen weight.
Unless otherwise indicated, a cup, teaspoon or tablespoon in any recipe calls for a leveled cup or spoon.
Using more than that or not leveling your tools can mess up your cooking output because you are using more than the recipe indicated.
A leveled ingredient means using a spoon to scoop the ingredient into the cup/spoon to a slight heap then using the back of a knife, slide a knife across the cup and you have a leveled measurement
measuring liquid ingredients
Liquid ingredients are easier to measure than dry/solid ingredients for many reasons such as you can use the same measuring spoons for dry ingredients and they measure them accurately.
It is interesting to know that when measuring a liquid in ounces, they weigh as much as thye measure meaning, if the measuring cup has a volume of 4 ounces, its weight will also be four ounces.
For ingredients that can be solid or liquid depending on their tempareture, some prefer to measure them in their liquid state because it is hard to get an accurate measure with cups unless using a kitchen weight.
Some assume that cups are best used for dry ingredients which is not so because liquids are most accurate when measured by volume (so far you know the volume of the cup you are using) and dry ingredients by weight.
To accurately measure liquids using cups, you should place it on a flat surface and make sure to fill it to the brim to cover the entire volume of the cup
So don’t feel like you need to have a liquid measuring cup with graduated markings for your measurement to be accurate.
How to measure a cup without measuring tablespoons
You can watch the video below to see how to measure a cup without a measuring cup.
tips for measurements
There are mistakes that can sabotage your recipe when cooking especially when baking. Here are some measurement best practices:
- Breakup clumps in liquid and dry ingredients for accuracy
- Sift powdered ingredients for a lighter finished result else, you run the rish of your food becoming dense/heavy
- Spoon in your ingredients into the cup and not scoop it up with the measuring cup or spoon
- Measure liquids with a liquid measuring cup for better accuracy
- If using measuring cups, make sure to fill the cup to the brim to get the full volume of the cup or spoon
- When measuring wet ingredients, make sure the measuring cup is placed on a flat level, and to read the measurement, you need to get your eyes on the same level as the graduated markings
- Level your cups and spoons with a knife unless it calls for a heap.
- Avoid measuring heaps of an ingredient unless explicitly stated
- When measuring, do not shake or tap the measuring cup or spoon as it will impact the quantity of ingredient you are measuring
- When baking or you need the recipe to be as accurate a as possible e.g when baking, use a kitchen weight to measure your ingredients not cups
- Tea and coffee cup cups should not be used in place of measuring cups unles you have no other option
If you have more baking tips, share them with us in the comments section below.
tablespoon measuring techniques
There are many descriptions that are used when describing the type of tablespoon measurement to use. Some of them are:
- Heap – A heaped teaspoon means scooping a large amount until it forms a peak on the spoon
- Leveled – In instructions that don’t specify the type of measuring, you are supposed to use a leveled measurement. Spoon in your ingredient into the cup/spoon and then use the edge of the knife to level it
- Rounded – A rounded spoon is achieved by scooping the ingredient and allowing an additional quantity to form a slight peak at the top of the spoon. The measurement is as expected less precise and is hard to get the same amount in a rounded spoon twice.
- Compact/packed – A packed spoon or cup means you should measure a full spoon and then press it down with a spoon to remove air pockets. Continue spooning more of the ingredient onto it until it cannot be pressed down any further. This is often used for measuring brown sugar and shortenings.
- Scant – This means slightly less than the supposed quantity. e.g if a recipe indicates a scant teaspoon, measure a full leveled teaspoon then reduce it slightly so that it is almost full but not yet.
how many tablespoons in a cup and a half
There are 24 tablespoons in a cup and a half when using a US standard cup, 25.5 tablespoons when using a metric cup and 18.75 tablespooons for Australian measurements
how many tablespoons in a cup of butter
Butter and/or shortenings are a little more difficult to measure accurately with cups and spoons for many including me.
1 stick of butter = 1/2 cup (US cup) and there are markings on the wrapping of the butter as guide when estimating the amount to use
As for how many tabllespoons of butter in a cup, there are 16 leveled tablespoons in a cup (US cup).
how many tablespoons in a cup of flour
There are 16 tablespoons in a cup of flour when using the US standard cup.
FAQS on cups to tablespoon conversion
Do 3 tablespoons equal 1 cup?
No. 3 tablespoons do not equal a cup. 3 tablespoons equal about 1/5 cup.
How much of a butter stick is one cup?
A cup of butter equals to two butter sticks or 16 leveled tablespoons of butter
How many dry tablespoons are in a cup?
There are 16 dry tablespoons in a cup
What are 6 tablespoons equal to in cups?
6 tablespoons is slightly more than a 1/3 measuring cup.
How do you measure one cup?
You can measure 1 cup using cups and spoons or by weight/volume. Check out the tables above for more information
How can I measure 1 cup without measuring?
To make sure 1 cup is one cup, you have to measure it whether with a cup, tablespoon, ot teaspoon
How do I measure 1 cup of butter?
16 tablespoons or 48 teaspoons equal a cup of butter. Make sure the spoons are leveled. Better yet, melt the butter and measure it for better accuracy
Is 1 cup dry the same as 1 cup liquid?
Yes 1 dry cup is equal to 1 wet cup.
Conclusion
Cooking is a hobby for many and necessity for alot more. It allows for creativity and expression that brings us so much joy.
Baking is its more sensitive, pickier sister that we all try to please so to reduce the frequency of baking disasters in our home.
One of the ways to please the sensitive sister is to make sure your measurements are accurate and kitchen weigh is the most accurate measuring tool.
Conversion are often necessary when cooking or baking and with this post, I hope you understand the fundementals of conversion from tablespoons to cups in the two main measuring systems
Feel free to bookmark this page in case you need the conversion tables some other time.
If you have any question, do let me know in the comments section bepw.
Thank you for reading till the end. Have a nice day.
