There are 3 teaspoons in a tablespoon. That is the answer, and it is the smallest conversion in the American kitchen — and the one that causes the most mistakes. One tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons, which equals half a fluid ounce, which equals 14.8 millilitres. If a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of baking powder and you measure 1 teaspoon instead, you have used a third of what you need, and the cake will not rise. If you measure a tablespoon when the recipe says a teaspoon, you have used three times too much, and the cake will taste bitter and collapse. This page gives you the table, the common mistakes, and the tricks for measuring small amounts accurately.
The conversion table
| Tablespoons | Teaspoons | Fluid ounces | Millilitres | Cups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 tbsp | 3/4 tsp | 1/8 fl oz | 3.7 ml | 1/64 cup |
| 1/2 tbsp | 1 1/2 tsp | 1/4 fl oz | 7.4 ml | 1/32 cup |
| 1 tbsp | 3 tsp | 1/2 fl oz | 14.8 ml | 1/16 cup |
| 2 tbsp | 6 tsp | 1 fl oz | 29.6 ml | 1/8 cup |
| 3 tbsp | 9 tsp | 1 1/2 fl oz | 44.4 ml | 3/16 cup |
| 4 tbsp | 12 tsp | 2 fl oz | 59.1 ml | 1/4 cup |
| 8 tbsp | 24 tsp | 4 fl oz | 118.3 ml | 1/2 cup |
| 12 tbsp | 36 tsp | 6 fl oz | 177.4 ml | 3/4 cup |
| 16 tbsp | 48 tsp | 8 fl oz | 236.6 ml | 1 cup |
The millilitre figures are rounded to one decimal place. A US teaspoon is 4.93 ml, and a US tablespoon is 14.79 ml, so three teaspoons make a tablespoon exactly.
Worked example 1: the baking powder mistake
A muffin recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and you are halving it for a small batch. Half of a tablespoon is 1 1/2 teaspoons, which is 1 teaspoon plus half a teaspoon. If you misread the recipe and use 1 tablespoon instead of 1 1/2 teaspoons, you have used twice as much leavening as you need, and the muffins will rise fast, then collapse, with a bitter, metallic taste. If you use 1 teaspoon instead of a tablespoon in the full recipe, you have used a third of the leavening, and the muffins will be dense and heavy. The lesson is to read the unit as carefully as the number, and to double-check any amount that is written in tablespoons when you are used to teaspoons.
Worked example 2: scaling a spice blend
You are making a spice rub and the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of paprika, 1 tablespoon of cumin, and 1 teaspoon of cayenne. You want to make a triple batch for the freezer. In teaspoons, that is 6 teaspoons of paprika, 3 teaspoons of cumin, and 3 teaspoons of cayenne — or, in tablespoons, 2 tablespoons of paprika becomes 6 tablespoons, which is 3/8 of a cup. Doing the maths in teaspoons first keeps the numbers in whole units, and then you can convert back to tablespoons at the end. For a small amount like cayenne, keep it in teaspoons, because a third of a tablespoon is hard to measure and easy to get wrong.
Worked example 3: vanilla extract by the spoonful
A cake recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, and you only have a teaspoon measure. Measure 3 level teaspoons, and you have exactly a tablespoon. The reverse is just as common: a recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of vanilla, and you only have a tablespoon measure. Measure two thirds of a tablespoon, or fill the tablespoon and pour out a third — a rough method, but vanilla is forgiving. For baking powder or salt, do not guess: use the right spoon, because a third of a tablespoon too much salt will ruin a batch, and a third too little baking powder will leave it flat.
Method and source
A US teaspoon is defined as one third of a US tablespoon, which is one sixth of a US fluid ounce, or 4.93 millilitres. A US tablespoon is half a fluid ounce, or 14.79 millilitres, and 14.79 divided by 4.93 is exactly 3. The teaspoon and the tablespoon are the two smallest units in the American system, and they are the only ones that are used for dry ingredients as well as liquids: you measure salt, baking powder, and spices in teaspoons and tablespoons, while you measure flour and sugar in cups or by weight. The metric teaspoon is 5 ml, which is very close to the US teaspoon, so the two can be swapped in cooking without any noticeable difference. The Australian tablespoon is 20 ml, which is 4 metric teaspoons, and that is the one exception to watch for.
Practical guidance
Use proper measuring spoons, not cutlery. A teaspoon from the drawer can hold anywhere from 3 to 7 ml, and a tablespoon from the drawer can hold anywhere from 10 to 20 ml, which is a variation of up to 100 percent on a small amount. Buy a set of measuring spoons that includes 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon, and level dry ingredients with the back of a knife. For liquids, fill the spoon to the brim and pour it slowly. When a recipe gives an amount in tablespoons that you need to halve, convert to teaspoons first, because half a tablespoon is 1 1/2 teaspoons, which is easy to measure, while half of 3 tablespoons is 1 1/2 tablespoons, which is not. And always read the unit: "tbsp" is a tablespoon and "tsp" is a teaspoon, and confusing them is the most common measuring mistake in baking.
Frequently asked questions
How many teaspoons are in 1 tablespoon?
There are 3 teaspoons in 1 tablespoon. That is the standard American conversion, and it is the same for liquids and dry ingredients. A metric tablespoon also holds 3 metric teaspoons, because a metric teaspoon is 5 ml and a metric tablespoon is 15 ml.
How many teaspoons are in half a tablespoon?
There are 1 1/2 teaspoons in half a tablespoon. Half a tablespoon is also a quarter of a fluid ounce and about 7.4 ml. It is a common amount when you are halving a recipe.
How many tablespoons are in 3 teaspoons?
There is 1 tablespoon in 3 teaspoons. Three teaspoons is the definition of a tablespoon, so if a recipe calls for 3 teaspoons of an ingredient and you only have a tablespoon measure, one level tablespoon is exact.
Is a teaspoon the same as a tablespoon?
No. A tablespoon is three times as large as a teaspoon. A tablespoon holds 14.8 ml and a teaspoon holds 4.9 ml. Confusing them is the most common measuring mistake in baking, and it can ruin a recipe, especially with baking powder, baking soda, or salt.
How many teaspoons are in a tablespoon of butter?
There are 3 teaspoons in a tablespoon of butter, the same as in a tablespoon of any ingredient measured by volume. A tablespoon of butter weighs about 14 grams, which is a useful number if you are weighing ingredients instead.
What is the difference between tsp and tbsp?
"Tsp" is short for teaspoon, and "tbsp" is short for tablespoon. A tablespoon is three teaspoons. In a printed recipe, "tsp" is always the smaller amount. If a recipe is handwritten and you cannot tell which one it says, check the amount: a cake that needs 1 tablespoon of baking powder is normal, but a cake that needs 1 teaspoon of baking powder is under-leavened, so the larger unit is usually right for leavening.