How Many Teaspoons Are in a Tablespoon?
Measuring spoons might be the smallest tools in your drawer, but they carry the heavy hitters.
Baking powder, yeast, salt, and spices can completely ruin a dish if you get them wrong. Knowing how to quickly scale teaspoons and tablespoons up or down is a lifesaver when you're resizing a recipe on the fly. Let's break down exactly how they convert.
Quick Answer: Teaspoons in a Tablespoon
- ›1 Tablespoon: 3 Teaspoons (14.8 mL / 15 mL)
- ›2/3 Tablespoon: 2 Teaspoons (10 mL)
- ›1/2 Tablespoon: 1 1/2 Teaspoons (7.4 mL / 7.5 mL)
- ›1/3 Tablespoon: 1 Teaspoon (5 mL)
- ›1/4 Tablespoon: 3/4 Teaspoon (3.7 mL)
Convert Spoon Sizes Instantly
Skip the math. Use our free Tablespoons Converter to swap between tablespoons, teaspoons, milliliters, and cups in a second.
The Spoon Conversion Chart
Here is a handy cheat sheet to convert teaspoons (tsp), tablespoons (tbsp), milliliters (mL), and fluid ounces:
| Tablespoons | Teaspoons | Milliliters (US) | Fluid Ounces (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tablespoon | 3 tsp | 14.8 ml | 0.5 fl oz |
| 3/4 Tablespoon | 2 1/4 tsp | 11.1 ml | 0.375 fl oz |
| 2/3 Tablespoon | 2 tsp | 9.9 ml | 0.33 fl oz |
| 1/2 Tablespoon | 1 1/2 tsp | 7.4 ml | 0.25 fl oz |
| 1/3 Tablespoon | 1 tsp | 4.9 ml | 0.166 fl oz |
| 1/4 Tablespoon | 3/4 tsp | 3.7 ml | 0.125 fl oz |
A standard tablespoon holds exactly 3 teaspoons. If a recipe asks for half a tablespoon, just measure out 1 1/2 teaspoons.
Watch Out for the Australian Tablespoon
If you're cooking from an Australian recipe, pay close attention to the tablespoon.
Back in the 1970s, Australia decided to make their tablespoon exactly **20 mL**. For context, a US tablespoon is about 14.8 mL (usually rounded to 15 mL in other metric countries). Since standard metric teaspoons are **5 mL**, an Australian tablespoon actually holds **4 teaspoons** instead of 3.
This matters. If you use a US tablespoon for an Aussie recipe that wants 2 tablespoons of baking powder, you'll end up with 30 mL instead of 40 mL. That's a **25% difference** that will easily make your cakes sink.
Kitchen Tip
Use Our Calculator
Need to convert a custom amount? Use our free Tablespoons Converter to swap spoon ratios into teaspoons, tablespoons, milliliters, and fluid ounces in a flash.
More Measuring Tools
Keep your kitchen measurements on point with these free tools:
- Tablespoons Converter — Swap cups and spoons.
- Unit Converter — Convert between metric and imperial units.
- Cups to Grams Converter — Convert cups of baking ingredients to grams.
- Recipe Scaler — Scale recipe servings up or down.
The Bottom Line
Remembering that 3 teaspoons make 1 tablespoon is one of the easiest ways to save time in the kitchen. Just keep an eye out for regional quirks like Australia's 4-teaspoon tablespoon, and you'll never have to guess how much baking powder or salt you're tossing in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Reading
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