Ounces to Tablespoons Converter (oz ⇄ tbsp)

Formulas for ounces to tablespoons and tablespoons to ounces

In US cooking measures, the relationship between fluid ounces and tablespoons is straightforward:

\[ 1\ \text{US fl oz} = 2\ \text{US tbsp} \]

This comes from the fact that 1 tablespoon is defined as half of a fluid ounce in US customary units.:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Metric equivalents (mL)

For more precise conversions, it can be useful to know the metric equivalents commonly used in professional and nutrition contexts:

• 1 US tablespoon ≈ 14.79 mL (often rounded to 15 mL)
• 1 US fluid ounce ≈ 29.57 mL (often rounded to 30 mL)

These values come from official US and NIST guidance on customary to metric conversions.:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Ounce of weight vs. fluid ounce of volume

A common source of confusion is that the word ounce is used for both weight and volume:

• Ounce (oz): a unit of weight or mass, where 1 oz ≈ 28.35 g.:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• Fluid ounce (fl oz): a unit of volume, where 1 fl oz ≈ 29.57 mL.:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Our calculator treats “ounces” as US fluid ounces (volume). For liquids with density close to water (like milk, stock, juice), 1 oz by weight is very close to 1 fl oz by volume, so kitchen recipes often blur the line without big errors.

For dry ingredients like flour, sugar, or cocoa, the relationship between ounces and tablespoons depends on density and packing, so there is no single “correct” universal factor. In those cases it is safer to work directly in weight (grams) or use a recipe-specific chart.

Worked examples

• Example 1 – 6 ounces to tablespoons
  \[ \text{tbsp} = 6 \times 2 = 12\ \text{tbsp} \] So 6 fl oz of milk equals 12 tablespoons.
• Example 2 – 5 tablespoons to ounces
  \[ \text{oz} = \frac{5}{2} = 2.5\ \text{fl oz} \]
• Example 3 – 8 ounces to cups
  From the table above, 8 fl oz = 16 tbsp. Since 1 cup = 16 tbsp, that’s exactly 1 cup.:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

US vs UK / metric tablespoons

Different countries use slightly different tablespoon definitions:

• US tablespoon: ≈ 14.79 mL (usually rounded to 15 mL)
• Metric tablespoon: exactly 15 mL (used in many countries)
• Older UK tablespoon: historically closer to 17.7–18 mL in some sources

For most home cooking, the difference between 14.8 mL and 15 mL is negligible, but for very precise baking, confectionery or professional food science, it’s better to use a digital scale.

FAQ: ounces to tablespoons