Cups to Tablespoons Converter (+ Teaspoons & mL)

Convert cups to tablespoons, teaspoons, and milliliters instantly. Includes a full measurement conversion table for US and metric cooking.

Cups to Tablespoons Conversion Table

Cups Tablespoons Teaspoons mL
⅛ cup 2 6 30 mL
¼ cup 4 12 59 mL
⅓ cup 5⅓ 16 79 mL
½ cup 8 24 118 mL
⅔ cup 10⅔ 32 158 mL
¾ cup 12 36 177 mL
1 cup 16 48 237 mL
1½ cups 24 72 355 mL
2 cups 32 96 473 mL

Cups vs Tablespoons in Cooking

Most home cooks are comfortable measuring in cups, but tablespoons and teaspoons are often more practical for smaller amounts. Understanding how these units relate helps you adapt recipes on the fly without needing a separate measuring cup.

When Precision Matters Most

For ingredients like baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices, measuring in teaspoons and tablespoons is more accurate than fractions of a cup. A small error in leaveners — even half a teaspoon — can mean the difference between a fluffy cake and a dense, flat one.

Liquids like oil, vanilla extract, and vinegar are easier to measure accurately in tablespoons than in fractions of a cup. For example, 2 tablespoons is exactly ⅛ cup — knowing this means you never need to reach for a separate measuring cup for small liquid amounts.

Quick Reference: Key Relationships

  • 1 cup = 16 tablespoons = 48 teaspoons = 236.6 mL
  • 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons = 14.79 mL
  • 1 teaspoon = 4.93 mL
  • ¼ cup = 4 tablespoons = 12 teaspoons
  • ½ cup = 8 tablespoons = 24 teaspoons

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tablespoons are in a cup? +
There are 16 tablespoons in 1 US cup. So half a cup equals 8 tablespoons, and a quarter cup equals 4 tablespoons. For teaspoons: 1 cup = 48 teaspoons. These conversions are exact in the US measurement system.
How many tablespoons is 1/3 cup? +
1/3 cup equals 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (5.33 tablespoons). Because 1/3 doesn't divide evenly into tablespoons, it's often easier to measure 5 tablespoons and then add 1 extra teaspoon. In metric, 1/3 cup is approximately 79 mL.
Are US tablespoons the same as UK tablespoons? +
No. A US tablespoon is 14.79 mL while a UK tablespoon is 17.76 mL — about 20% larger. Australian tablespoons are 20 mL. When following recipes from different countries, this difference can affect results for small amounts like leaveners and spices, where precision matters.