Tablespoons to Teaspoons (tbsp to tsp) Converter
Convert tablespoons to teaspoons using standard volume factors.
Kitchen Conversion Basics
In cooking and baking, especially in the US, measurements are based on a standard hierarchy. Memorizing just three simple rules will allow you to convert almost any recipe.
From these three rules, all other conversions can be found:
- 1 Cup = 16 Tablespoons = **48 Teaspoons**
- 1 Cup = 8 Fluid Ounces = **16 Tablespoons**
- 1/2 Cup = 8 Tablespoons = **24 Teaspoons**
- 1/4 Cup = 4 Tablespoons = **12 Teaspoons**
Cooking Conversion Chart (US)
For convenience, here is a chart for the most common measurements you'll find in recipes.
| Measurement | Cups | Fluid Ounces | Tablespoons | Teaspoons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Cup | 1 | 8 fl oz | 16 tbsp | 48 tsp |
| 1/2 Cup | 1/2 | 4 fl oz | 8 tbsp | 24 tsp |
| 1/4 Cup | 1/4 | 2 fl oz | 4 tbsp | 12 tsp |
| 1 Tablespoon | 1/16 | 0.5 fl oz | 1 tbsp | 3 tsp |
| 1 Teaspoon | 1/48 | ~0.167 fl oz | 1/3 tbsp | 1 tsp |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many teaspoons are in a tablespoon?
There are **3 teaspoons (tsp)** in 1 tablespoon (tbsp). This is the most fundamental conversion in US kitchen measurements.
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
There are **16 tablespoons (tbsp)** in 1 US Customary Cup.
Is a UK tablespoon the same as a US tablespoon?
No, they are different, which can be confusing.
• **US Tablespoon:** 14.79 mL (defined as 1/2 US fl oz)
• **UK/Imperial & Metric Tablespoon:** 15 mL (this is the modern standard in the UK, Canada, and Australia).
For most recipes, this small difference is not critical, but for precise baking, it can matter.
Formula (LaTeX) + variables + units
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1 Tablespoon = 3 Teaspoons
1 Fluid Ounce = 2 Tablespoons
1 Cup = 16 Tablespoons
- No variables provided in audit spec.
- NIST — Weights and measures — nist.gov · Accessed 2026-01-19
https://www.nist.gov/pml/weights-and-measures - NIST — SI units — nist.gov · Accessed 2026-01-19
https://www.nist.gov/pml/owm/metric-si/si-units
Last code update: 2026-01-19
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