How Many Tablespoons Are in a Cup? (Conversion Guide)
How many tablespoons in a cup? Learn everything you need to know! We’re covering everything from basic measuring units to conversions to help you measure like a pro. These simple tips and tricks will ensure you have success with all your recipes!
The Importance of Accurate Measuring
Mastering correct measurements is key to consistent results in both cooking and baking. Measuring accurately is the best way to reduce waste, prevent errors, and achieve your desired outcome.
In this post, we’re breaking down how to measure tablespoons and cups. We’ll not only teach you how many tablespoons are in a cup but also provide easy conversions and measuring tips. You’ll walk away confident in your measuring and conversion skills!
What is a Tablespoon?
A tablespoon, commonly abbreviated as Tbsp, tbsp, Tb, or T, is a unit of measurement common in cooking and baking. You’ll find it being used to measure ingredients such as spices, sugars, oils, and liquid condiments.
A single tablespoon is equivalent to 3 teaspoons, ½ fluid ounce, or 15 milliliters. When measuring a tablespoon, fill the spoon to the top, packing it full.
What is a Cup?
A cup, commonly abbreviated as C or c, is a unit of measurement used in cooking and baking to portion out larger ingredients such as flour, sugar, and liquids.
One cup is equivalent to 16 tablespoons, 8 fluid ounces, or 237 milliliters. It is most often used for dry ingredients, as wet ingredients are measured with liquid measuring cups. Fill a standard measuring cup to the top for the most accurate measurements.
Wet vs. Dry Tablespoons and Cups
You can measure dry and wet ingredients interchangeably for the most part. A tablespoon is a tablespoon and a cup is a cup.
However, it is recommended to use liquid measuring cups for larger volumes of wet ingredients instead of standard measuring cups. This is because liquids measure in volume and dry items measure in weight.
Using a standard measuring cup for an item like water can result in different amounts. As a result, it can potentially impact the outcome of whatever it is you’re making.
In addition, you may need to melt some liquid ingredients before measuring them. This is true in the case of items such as butter, margarine, and shortening.
Be sure to read your recipe well, and differentiate between the wet and dry ingredients!
Here is a chart to convert wet ingredients and fluid ounces to cup measurements for easy cooking:
| Fluid Ounces | Cups |
|---|---|
| 1 fluid ounce | ⅛ cup |
| 2 fluid ounces | ¼ cup |
| 4 fluid ounces | ½ cup |
| 6 fluid ounces | ¾ cup |
| 8 fluid ounces | 1 cup |
| 12 fluid ounces | 1 ½ cups |
| 16 fluid ounces | 2 cups (1 pint) |
| 32 fluid ounces | 4 cups (1 quart) |
| 128 fluid ounces | 16 cups (1 gallon) |
US Standard vs US Legal Cups
When it comes to cups, not all units of measurement are the same.
- The U.S. legal cup is exactly 240 milliliters (16 tablespoons) by law. This measurement is used primarily for nutrition labeling.
- The U.S. standard cup is slightly smaller as it’s measured more loosely by chefs and bakers. Typically, a standard cup weighs about 237 millimeters.
Metric Cup vs Imperial Cup
Metric and imperial cups are two different units of measurement for volume.
A metric cup is a unit of measurement in the imperial system equivalent to 250 milliliters, slightly larger than both the U.S. legal and standard cups above.
An imperial cup is a volume measurement in the Imperial system and measures 284.13 milliliters. This measurement is used primarily in the United States.
To recap:
- 1 Metric tablespoon = 15 milliliters
- 1 Metric cup = 250 milliliters
- 1 Imperial tablespoon = 14.79 milliliters
- 1 Imperial cup = 284.13 milileters
- 1 Metric tablespoon = 20 milliliters
- 1 Metric cup = 12.5 tablespoons
*The Metric system is used worldwide, and the Imperial system is common in the United States.
How Many Tablespoons in a Cup?
Knowing how many tablespoons are in a cup is one of the most helpful conversions when it comes to baking and cooking. Especially when things can get a little complicated.
For instance, what if a recipe calls for a cup of butter, but butter is listed in tablespoons? Refer to the chart below, and you’re recipe will go off without a hitch!
| Cups | Tablespoons |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | 16 tablespoons |
| ¾ cup | 12 tablespoons |
| ⅔ cup | 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons |
| ½ cup | 8 tablespoons |
| ⅜ cup | 6 tablespoons |
| ⅓ cup | 5 ½ tablespoons + 1 teaspoon |
| ¼ cup | 4 tablespoons |
| ⅛ cup | 2 tablespoons |
| 1/16 cup | 1 tablespoons |
Conversions
While you might not always have the exact conversions memorized, it’s fairly easy to convert any measurements you need with a little bit of math!
How to Convert Cups to Tablespoons
Multiply the number of cups by 16 to determine how many tablespoons are needed for a certain amount of cups. (Tablespoons = # cups x 16)
For example, if you have 4 cups, you would multiply 4c x 16 to get 64 tablespoons.
How to Convert Tbsp to Cup
One tablespoon equals 1/16 cup.
To convert tablespoons to cups, multiply the amount of tablespoons by 0.0625.
For example, if you have 15 tablespoons, you would multiply 15tbp x 0.0625c to get 0.9375 cups
How to Convert Other Measurement Units
Additional conversions that prove helpful include:
| Teaspoons to tablespoons | 3 teaspoons | 1 tablespoon |
| Tablespoons to fluid ounces | 1 fluid ounce | 2 tablespoons |
| Cups to pints | 2 cups | 1 pint |
| Cups to quarts | 4 cups | 1 quart |
| Cups to gallons | 16 cups | 1 gallon |
| Fluid ounces to cups | 8 fluid ounces | 1 cup |
Tips for Accurate Measuring
- Use a kitchen scale for the most accurate measurements.
- Measure ingredients before sifting, if the recipe calls for it.
- Use the spoon and level method to fill measuring cups, and level them off with a knife.
- Measure liquid ingredients in liquid measuring cups, and measure at eye level.
Frequently Asked Questions
A cup of butter contains 16 tablespoons. Sticks of butter are sold in 1/2 cup or 1 cup portions. Typically, they are marked with tablespoon increments, making measuring easy.
A single cup of sugar contains 16 tablespoons.
There are 16 tablespoons in a cup of flour, regardless of the flour being used.
In Conclusion
Accurate measurements are crucial when it comes to cooking and baking. Measurements can vary, and metric and imperial cups are different.
Use a food scale for the most accurate results. Or, be sure to spoons and level dry ingredients, and use liquid measuring cups for wet ingredients, measuring at eye level. Follow these tips, and you’ll feel like a professional in the kitchen!
