Cups to Tablespoons: The Quick Cheat Sheet
We all love measuring cups, but let's be honest—sometimes they're all dirty in the sink, or you're trying to measure a tiny fraction like an eighth of a cup. That's where knowing your tablespoon conversions comes in handy.
Here is a quick cheat sheet for converting cups to tablespoons, teaspoons, and milliliters, so you can keep cooking without stopping to do math.
At a Glance: Cups to Tablespoons Cheat Sheet
- ›1 Cup: 16 Tablespoons (48 Teaspoons)
- ›3/4 Cup: 12 Tablespoons (36 Teaspoons)
- ›2/3 Cup: 10 Tablespoons + 2 Teaspoons (32 Teaspoons)
- ›1/2 Cup: 8 Tablespoons (24 Teaspoons)
- ›1/3 Cup: 5 Tablespoons + 1 Teaspoon (16 Teaspoons)
- ›1/4 Cup: 4 Tablespoons (12 Teaspoons)
Skip the Mental Math
Struggling with awkward fractions? Use our free Tablespoons Converter to swap cup fractions for tablespoons and teaspoons in a second.
The Ultimate Cup-to-Tablespoon Conversion Table
Bookmark this quick reference table so you can check it on the fly while you cook:
| Cup Sizing | Tablespoons | Teaspoons | Volume in Milliliters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Cup | 16 tbsp | 236.6 ml | |
| 3/4 Cup | 12 tbsp | 177.4 ml | |
| 2/3 Cup | 10 tbsp + 2 tsp | 157.7 ml | |
| 1/2 Cup | 8 tbsp | 118.3 ml | |
| 1/3 Cup | 5 tbsp + 1 tsp | 78.9 ml | |
| 1/4 Cup | 4 tbsp | 59.2 ml | |
| 1/8 Cup | 2 tbsp | 29.6 ml | |
| 1/16 Cup | 1 tbsp | 14.8 ml |
Pro tip: Keep a copy of this cheat sheet inside a cabinet door. It's a lifesaver when you're in the middle of a recipe.
Watch Out: Regional Cups and Spoons are Different
Just a heads-up: this chart uses standard US measurements (a 240 mL cup and a 15 mL tablespoon). If you're baking a recipe from the UK, Australia, or Canada, things change slightly:
- Metric Countries (UK, Canada, New Zealand): Their cups are a bit larger (**250 mL**). Since their tablespoons are still **15 mL**, a metric cup actually holds about **16 and two-thirds tablespoons**.
- Australia: Down under, they use a **20 mL tablespoon** (which holds 4 teaspoons instead of 3). Because of this, an Australian cup holds exactly **12.5 Australian tablespoons**.
Baker's Note
Try Our Free Conversion Tool
Want to make things even easier?
Our free Tablespoons Converter will handle any awkward fractions you throw at it. Just choose your cup size and get the exact tablespoon-to-teaspoon breakdown in a tap.
More Useful Kitchen Calculators
Keep your recipe adjustments quick and painless with these other free tools:
- Tablespoons Converter — Swap cups and spoons in a flash.
- Unit Converter — Move between metric and imperial measurements without the headache.
- Cups to Grams Converter — Get the ultimate accuracy by switching cups to grams.
- Recipe Scaler — Scale your ingredients up or down for any crowd.
Wrap Up
Knowing how to swap cups for tablespoons is a fantastic kitchen shortcut. Just multiply your cups by 16, keep an eye out for regional differences, and always level your spoons for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Reading
US Cups vs. Australian Cups: Why Your Recipe Might Be Failing
A US cup is 236.6 ml, but an Australian cup is 250 ml. Here is how that 6% difference can ruin your baking, and how to swap them easily.
How Many Grams Are in a Cup? (It's Not as Simple as You Think)
Looking for a quick way to convert cups to grams? Here is a simple, ingredient-by-ingredient guide to what one cup actually weighs in the real world.
How to Convert Any Recipe from Cups to Grams
Tired of guessing how much a cup of flour actually weighs? Here is how to convert any cup-based recipe to grams so your bakes turn out perfect every single time.