To convert tablespoons to teaspoons, multiply by 3. One US tablespoon (tbsp) equals exactly 3 US teaspoons (tsp), so 2 tbsp = 6 tsp and 1/2 tbsp = 1 1/2 tsp. In metric terms, 1 tbsp is about 14.79 mL and 1 tsp is about 4.93 mL; labels round them to 15 mL and 5 mL.
Convert Tablespoons to Teaspoons for Any Amount
Enter the number of tablespoons in your recipe. The converter then gives teaspoons, milliliters and fluid ounces, and it also shows metric and Australian spoons.
Recipes switch between spoon sizes all the time. For example, a sauce might list 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, yet your clean spoon is the small one. Likewise, you may want to halve a recipe that calls for 1 tablespoon of baking powder. In both cases, however, the fix is the same simple multiplication.
The ratio never changes in US cooking because both spoons are defined units. Specifically, a US tablespoon is half a fluid ounce, and a teaspoon is one third of a tablespoon. For example, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which keeps the official US measurement standards, lists 5 mL for a teaspoon and 15 mL for a tablespoon in its metric kitchen equivalents. As a result, those rounded figures keep the same 1 to 3 ratio.
If you mainly want to know which spoon is which, our guide to the difference between a teaspoon and a tablespoon covers abbreviations and spoon shapes. This page, by contrast, focuses on the math of converting tablespoons to teaspoons.
Tablespoons to Teaspoons Chart
First, print this chart or save a screenshot for the kitchen. In addition, the milliliter column uses the exact US definition of 14.787 mL per tablespoon, rounded to two decimals.
| Tablespoons | Teaspoons | Milliliters (US) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 tbsp | 3/4 tsp | 3.70 mL |
| 1/3 tbsp | 1 tsp | 4.93 mL |
| 1/2 tbsp | 1 1/2 tsp | 7.39 mL |
| 2/3 tbsp | 2 tsp | 9.86 mL |
| 3/4 tbsp | 2 1/4 tsp | 11.09 mL |
| 1 tbsp | 3 tsp | 14.79 mL |
| 1 1/2 tbsp | 4 1/2 tsp | 22.18 mL |
| 2 tbsp | 6 tsp | 29.57 mL |
| 3 tbsp | 9 tsp | 44.36 mL |
| 4 tbsp | 12 tsp | 59.15 mL |
| 5 tbsp | 15 tsp | 73.93 mL |
| 8 tbsp | 24 tsp | 118.29 mL |
| 16 tbsp | 48 tsp | 236.59 mL |
Similarly, four tablespoons make 1/4 cup, eight make 1/2 cup, and sixteen make a full cup. For smaller cup fractions, see how much 1/8 cup is.
The One-Step Formula
teaspoons = tablespoons x 3
In other words, that is the whole rule. Still, it helps to see it with the awkward amounts that show up in real recipes:
- Whole numbers: 3 tbsp x 3 = 9 tsp.
- Halves: 1 1/2 tbsp x 3 = 4 1/2 tsp, so use four teaspoons plus a half teaspoon.
- Thirds: 2/3 tbsp x 3 = 2 tsp, which is far easier to measure than two thirds of a big spoon.
- Quarters: 1/4 tbsp x 3 = 3/4 tsp, or a 1/2 tsp plus a 1/4 tsp.
To go the other way, divide by 3. Thus, 4 tsp is 1 1/3 tbsp, and 1 tsp is 1/3 tbsp. Because a third of a tablespoon is hard to judge by eye, teaspoons are usually the better choice for small amounts.
Recommended Tools for Measuring Tablespoons to Teaspoons
Above all, a set with clearly engraved spoons makes the conversion painless. First, look for a set that includes a 1/2 tbsp spoon, since it saves a step with halved recipes. Next, choose narrow or rectangular heads that fit into spice jars. Finally, a kitchen scale and an oral syringe help when you need more precision than a spoon can give.
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How to Convert Tablespoons to Teaspoons Step by Step
- Read the amount. First, find the tablespoon figure in your recipe, for example 2 1/2 tbsp.
- Multiply by 3. Next, use the converter above or do it by hand: 2 1/2 x 3 = 7 1/2 tsp.
- Split it into spoons you own. For example, seven and a half teaspoons is seven level teaspoons plus one 1/2 tsp.
- Level each spoonful. Overfill dry ingredients, and then sweep a straight edge across the rim.
- Keep count. Also, tally each spoonful on a sticky note or out loud so you do not lose track.
- Check the region. Finally, if the recipe is Australian, multiply by 4 instead of 3 (see the next section).
Spoon Sizes That Change the Math
The factor of 3 holds for US, metric and modern UK recipes. However, Australia uses a 20 mL tablespoon, so one Australian tablespoon holds four 5 mL teaspoons.
| Recipe origin | 1 tablespoon | 1 teaspoon | Teaspoons per tablespoon |
|---|---|---|---|
| US customary | 14.79 mL | 4.93 mL | 3 |
| US nutrition label (FDA) | 15 mL | 5 mL | 3 |
| Metric (UK, Canada, New Zealand) | 15 mL | 5 mL | 3 |
| Australia | 20 mL | 5 mL | 4 |
For food labels, the FDA rule in 21 CFR 101.9 says a teaspoon means 5 mL and a tablespoon means 15 mL. Therefore, a serving listed as “1 tbsp (15 mL)” is the same as 3 tsp. Besides, the gap between 14.79 and 15 mL is too small to matter at the stove.
Do and Don’t
Do
- Multiply by 3 for US and metric spoons.
- Use 4 for Australian tablespoons.
- Level dry ingredients with a flat edge.
- Measure liquids over a separate bowl.
- Weigh ingredients when a bake needs precision.
Don’t
- Confuse a capital T (tablespoon) with a lowercase t (teaspoon).
- Heap a spoon unless the recipe says so.
- Assume cutlery spoons match measuring spoons.
- Guess at a third of a tablespoon; use 1 tsp.
- Dose medicine with kitchen spoons of any kind.
Honest Limits of Converting Tablespoons to Teaspoons
The math is exact; however, spoons are not. For one thing, each fill adds a small error, so three teaspoons can drift a little from one level tablespoon. Also, the way you scoop matters more than the spoon itself. For instance, a loosely spooned teaspoon of flour holds less than one dipped into a packed bag.
Moreover, volume says nothing about weight. A tablespoon of water weighs about 15 g, yet a tablespoon of flour or sugar weighs a different amount, depending on the ingredient and how tightly it settles. Therefore, when a recipe gives grams, use a scale rather than converting spoons. In short, the 1 to 3 ratio is perfect on paper and close enough in a home kitchen.
When Accuracy Really Matters
For soups and marinades, a slightly generous teaspoon is harmless. Small leavening and salt amounts deserve more care, though, because mixing up tbsp and tsp triples the dose. For example, too much baking soda tastes bitter, and too much salt can ruin a brine or a bread dough.
Medicine, on the other hand, is a separate case. After all, doses are set in milliliters, and household spoons vary in size. Instead of converting with kitchen spoons, use the oral syringe or dosing cup that comes with the medicine. In addition, our guide to how much 30 mL is shows how mL relate to spoons.
Tablespoons to Teaspoons FAQs
How do you convert tablespoons to teaspoons?
Multiply the number of tablespoons by 3. For example, 2 tablespoons times 3 equals 6 teaspoons.
How many teaspoons are in 1 tablespoon?
One US or metric tablespoon holds 3 teaspoons. However, an Australian tablespoon holds 4.
Does 2 teaspoons make 1 tablespoon?
No. You need 3 level teaspoons to make 1 tablespoon. In fact, two teaspoons are only 2/3 of a tablespoon.
What is 1/4 tablespoon in teaspoons?
A quarter tablespoon is 3/4 teaspoon. So measure it with a 1/2 tsp plus a 1/4 tsp.
What is half a tablespoon in teaspoons?
Half a tablespoon equals 1 1/2 teaspoons, or about 7.39 mL.
How many teaspoons are in 3 tablespoons?
Three tablespoons equal 9 teaspoons, or about 44.36 mL.
Is converting tablespoons to teaspoons different for liquids and dry ingredients?
No. Both are volume units, so the factor of 3 works for oil, milk, sugar and spices alike.
Do Australian tablespoons to teaspoons use a different factor?
Yes. An Australian tablespoon is 20 mL, so multiply by 4 instead of 3.
How do I convert teaspoons back to tablespoons?
Divide by 3. For instance, 9 teaspoons divided by 3 equals 3 tablespoons.
Can I use tablespoons to teaspoons math for medicine?
Not with kitchen spoons. Instead, medicine doses use mL, so measure them with the syringe or cup that comes with the product.
The Bottom Line
To sum up, converting tablespoons to teaspoons takes one step: multiply by 3. One tablespoon is 3 teaspoons, or about 14.79 mL against 4.93 mL, and labels round these to 15 mL and 5 mL. In addition, the only common exception is the 20 mL Australian tablespoon, which holds 4 teaspoons.
So level your spoonfuls, keep count, and reach for a scale when a recipe lists grams. Finally, for medicine, skip the kitchen spoons and dose in mL with the device provided.
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