Cooking Volumes Guide
Tablespoons, Teaspoons, and Metric Conversions
View ConversionsRecipes call for teaspoons of vanilla, tablespoons of oil, and cups of flour—but what do these actually mean in milliliters? Whether you're scaling a recipe, using metric measuring tools, or following an international recipe, understanding these volume relationships is essential for cooking success.
Complete Conversion Table
| Measurement | Teaspoons | Tablespoons | Cups | Milliliters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | 1 | ⅓ | 1/48 | 5 mL |
| 1 tablespoon | 3 | 1 | 1/16 | 15 mL |
| 2 tablespoons | 6 | 2 | ⅛ | 30 mL |
| ¼ cup | 12 | 4 | ¼ | 59 mL |
| ⅓ cup | 16 | 5⅓ | ⅓ | 79 mL |
| ½ cup | 24 | 8 | ½ | 118 mL |
| ⅔ cup | 32 | 10⅔ | ⅔ | 158 mL |
| ¾ cup | 36 | 12 | ¾ | 177 mL |
| 1 cup | 48 | 16 | 1 | 237 mL |
US vs Metric vs Imperial
The same names can mean different volumes in different countries:
Teaspoons
| Type | Volume | Where Used |
|---|---|---|
| US teaspoon | 4.93 mL | United States |
| Metric teaspoon | 5.00 mL | International standard |
| Imperial teaspoon | 5.92 mL | Older UK recipes |
| Australian teaspoon | 5.00 mL | Australia |
Tablespoons
| Type | Volume | Where Used |
|---|---|---|
| US tablespoon | 14.79 mL | United States |
| Metric tablespoon | 15.00 mL | International standard |
| Imperial tablespoon | 17.76 mL | Older UK recipes |
| Australian tablespoon | 20.00 mL | Australia |
Common Ingredient Conversions
Liquids (at room temperature)
| Ingredient | 1 tbsp | 1 cup |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 15 mL | 237 mL |
| Milk | 15 mL | 237 mL |
| Oil | 15 mL | 237 mL |
| Honey | 21 g* | 340 g* |
| Maple syrup | 20 g* | 322 g* |
*Dense liquids are better measured by weight
Dry Ingredients
Dry ingredients measured by volume vary significantly based on how tightly packed:
| Ingredient | 1 tbsp (weight) | 1 cup (weight) |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 8 g | 125 g |
| Sugar (granulated) | 12 g | 200 g |
| Brown sugar (packed) | 14 g | 220 g |
| Salt (table) | 18 g | 290 g |
| Baking powder | 14 g | 230 g |
Scaling Recipes
When doubling or halving recipes, these conversions help:
Halving
- ½ of 1 tbsp = 1½ tsp = 7.5 mL
- ½ of 1 tsp = ½ tsp = 2.5 mL
- ½ of ¼ cup = 2 tbsp = 30 mL
- ½ of ⅓ cup = 2 tbsp + 2 tsp = 40 mL
Doubling
- 2 × 1 tbsp = 2 tbsp = 30 mL
- 2 × ¼ cup = ½ cup = 118 mL
- 2 × ⅓ cup = ⅔ cup = 158 mL
- 2 × ¾ cup = 1½ cups = 355 mL
Measuring Tips
For Liquids
- Use measuring spoons—flatware spoons vary wildly
- Fill to the brim, then level by eye
- For sticky ingredients (honey, syrup), spray with oil first
For Dry Ingredients
- Spoon into the measuring spoon, don't scoop
- Level with a straight edge (knife, ruler)
- Don't pack unless the recipe says "packed"
- For precision baking, use a scale instead
Common Mistakes
- Confusing fluid ounces (volume) with ounces (weight)
- Using heaping spoons when level is intended
- Measuring flour by scooping (compacts it, adds 20%+ extra)
- Forgetting that Australian tablespoons are larger
Metric Spoon Sets
Many metric countries sell measuring spoons in these sizes:
- 1.25 mL (¼ metric teaspoon)
- 2.5 mL (½ metric teaspoon)
- 5 mL (1 metric teaspoon)
- 15 mL (1 metric tablespoon)
These align perfectly with the international standard teaspoon (5 mL) and tablespoon (15 mL), making conversions from most recipes straightforward.
Conclusion
Once you know that 1 tablespoon = 15 mL = 3 teaspoons, and 1 cup = 16 tablespoons = 237 mL, you can navigate between any recipe's volume measurements. Watch out for regional variations—especially Australian tablespoons—and when precision matters, use a kitchen scale.