Cups to Tablespoons Converter
Convert US cups to tablespoons — sixteen tablespoons to the cup. Results update as you type; exact factors shown.
One US cup is 15.7725 tablespoon (metric) — see the exact factor, not a rounded rule of thumb.
How the cups to tablespoons converter works
Volumes convert through the liter (exactly 1 dm³). The US gallon is exactly 3.785411784 L (231 cubic inches); the imperial gallon is exactly 4.54609 L. A US fluid ounce is 29.5735 mL, an imperial fluid ounce 28.4131 mL; a US pint is 16 US fl oz, an imperial pint 20 imperial fl oz.
The US uses customary units (US gallon, short ton, °F) in daily life; NIST SP 811 gives the exact SI factors.
Common volume conversions
| From | To | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 0.125 US cup | 1.9716 tbsp | US cups to tablespoon (metric) |
| 0.25 US cup | 3.9431 tbsp | US cups to tablespoon (metric) |
| 0.333 US cup | 5.2523 tbsp | US cups to tablespoon (metric) |
| 0.5 US cup | 7.8863 tbsp | US cups to tablespoon (metric) |
| 0.667 US cup | 10.5203 tbsp | US cups to tablespoon (metric) |
| 0.75 US cup | 11.8294 tbsp | US cups to tablespoon (metric) |
| 1 US cup | 15.7725 tbsp | US cup to tablespoon (metric) |
| 1.5 US cup | 23.6588 tbsp | US cups to tablespoon (metric) |
| 2 US cup | 31.5451 tbsp | US cups to tablespoon (metric) |
| 3 US cup | 47.3176 tbsp | US cups to tablespoon (metric) |
| 4 US cup | 63.0902 tbsp | US cups to tablespoon (metric) |
| 6 US cup | 94.6353 tbsp | US cups to tablespoon (metric) |
Units in this converter and their exact factors
| Unit | Symbol | One unit in liters |
|---|---|---|
| milliliter | mL | 0.001 liter |
| liter | L | 1 liter |
| cubic meter | m³ | 1,000 liter |
| teaspoon (metric) | tsp | 0.005 liter |
| tablespoon (metric) | tbsp | 0.015 liter |
| cup (metric) | cup | 0.25 liter |
| US fluid ounce | US fl oz | 0.0295735296 liter |
| US cup | US cup | 0.2365882365 liter |
| US pint | US pt | 0.473176473 liter |
| US gallon | US gal | 3.785411784 liter |
| imperial fluid ounce | imp fl oz | 0.0284130625 liter |
| imperial pint | imp pt | 0.56826125 liter |
| imperial gallon | imp gal | 4.54609 liter |
| cubic foot | ft³ | 28.316846592 liter |
FAQFrequently asked questions about volume conversion
How many tablespoons in a cup?
Sixteen US tablespoons.
How many tablespoons in a quarter cup?
Four.
How many in a third of a cup?
Five tablespoons and one teaspoon — which is why thirds are awkward to measure by spoon.
Is an Australian cup the same?
No. A metric cup is 250 mL against the US 237 mL, and the Australian tablespoon is larger too.
How many tablespoons in half a cup?
Eight.
Where these figures come from
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure, 9th edition) — definitions of the base and derived units.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units — the exact conversion factors used here.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) — United States's national measurement authority.
Last checked: September 2026. Conversion factors are fixed by definition and do not change with tax years or regulations.