How Many Tablespoons in a Cup? (Quick Conversion Guide)
We've all been there: you are in the middle of mixing cookies, the recipe calls for a quarter cup of sugar, and you realize your quarter-cup measure is dirty in the sink.
Instead of washing dishes with flour on your hands, you can just grab a tablespoon. Memorizing how tablespoons fit into a cup is one of those simple kitchen hacks that saves you time and dishwashing. Here is the quick guide to keeping the math straight.
Quick Cheat Sheet: Cups to Spoons
- ›1 Cup: 16 Tablespoons (which is 48 Teaspoons)
- ›3/4 Cup: 12 Tablespoons (36 Teaspoons)
- ›1/2 Cup: 8 Tablespoons (24 Teaspoons)
- ›1/3 Cup: 5 Tablespoons + 1 Teaspoon (16 Teaspoons)
- ›1/4 Cup: 4 Tablespoons (12 Teaspoons)
- ›1/8 Cup: 2 Tablespoons (6 Teaspoons)
Convert Spoons and Cups in a Tap
No need to wrestle with fractions. Use our free Tablespoons Converter to swap between cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, and fluid ounces instantly.
Cup to Tablespoon Conversion Table
Keep this table handy whenever you need to divide a cup measurement into spoons:
| Cup Sizing | Tablespoons | Teaspoons | Volume in Milliliters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Cup | 16 tbsp | 48 tsp | 236.6 ml |
| 3/4 Cup | 12 tbsp | 36 tsp | 177.4 ml |
| 2/3 Cup | 10 tbsp + 2 tsp | 32 tsp | 157.7 ml |
| 1/2 Cup | 8 tbsp | 24 tsp | 118.3 ml |
| 1/3 Cup | 5 tbsp + 1 tsp | 16 tsp | 78.9 ml |
| 1/4 Cup | 4 tbsp | 12 tsp | 59.2 ml |
| 1/8 Cup (2 tbsp) | 2 tbsp | 6 tsp | 29.6 ml |
| 1/16 Cup (1 tbsp) | 1 tbsp | 3 tsp | 14.8 ml |
A standard US cup is exactly 16 tablespoons. If you need 1/3 cup, just measure out 5 tablespoons and add a single teaspoon.
Watch Out for International Recipes
These numbers are for standard US cups (236.6 mL) and tablespoons (14.8 mL). If you are cooking from an international blog, the math shifts slightly:
- Metric Cups (UK, Canada, New Zealand): A metric cup is exactly 250 mL, and their tablespoons are 15 mL. This means a metric cup technically holds 16.67 tablespoons, but most home cooks just round down to 16.
- Australian Tablespoons: Australia uses a larger 20 mL tablespoon (4 teaspoons instead of the standard 3). So, an Australian metric cup holds exactly 12.5 Australian tablespoons. Don't let that trip you up!
A Note on Cups
Skip the Spoon Math
You don't need to do fraction division while trying to prep.
Use our free Tablespoons Converter to swap cup fractions into tablespoons, teaspoons, or milliliters in a flash.
Other Handy Converters
Keep these quick converters nearby for your next recipe:
- Tablespoons Converter — Convert cups and spoons.
- Unit Converter — Switch between metric and imperial kitchen measurements.
- Cups to Grams Converter — Switch cups of baking ingredients to grams.
- Recipe Scaler — Scale recipe servings up or down.
The Bottom Line
Remembering that 16 tablespoons make a cup is one of those kitchen basics that will save you time and dishes. Whether you are scaling a recipe up or down or just realized your measuring cups are dirty, it's a great shortcut to keep in your back pocket.
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.