The one ratio to remember
One tablespoon is exactly three teaspoons. That is the whole conversion — everything else follows: 4 tbsp = 12 tsp = 1/4 cup, 16 tbsp = 1 cup.
Regional tablespoon sizes
- US: 14.787 mL (3 tsp)
- Metric: 15 mL
- Australia: 20 mL — a 35% difference, enough to break a recipe
- UK recipes often use 15 mL tablespoons
Measuring small amounts
Below 1/4 tsp, measuring spoons become unreliable — a "pinch" is about 1/16 tsp and a "dash" about 1/8 tsp. For baking soda and salt, a scale is more accurate than any spoon.
Where the ratio matters
Leaveners and salt. Accidentally using 3 tbsp of baking soda instead of 3 tsp will ruin the batch; the ratio is the first thing to check when a bake tastes soapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teaspoons in a tablespoon?
Exactly 3 in the US and metric systems.
Is an Australian tablespoon different?
Yes — 20 mL, which is 4 teaspoons. Check the recipe's origin.
How many tablespoons in a cup?
16 US tablespoons.
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