Tablespoons to Milliliters: Kitchen Measurement Guide

Tablespoons and milliliters are both common kitchen measurements, but converting between them isn't always straightforward. Different countries use different tablespoon sizes, which can significantly affect your recipes.

Tablespoon Sizes Around the World

Not all tablespoons are created equal:

• US tablespoon: 14.79 ml (often rounded to 15 ml)
• UK tablespoon: 17.76 ml (traditional) or 15 ml (modern metric)
• Australian tablespoon: 20 ml
• Canadian tablespoon: 15 ml (metric)

This means an Australian recipe calling for 2 tablespoons contains 40 ml, while a US recipe calling for 2 tablespoons contains only 30 ml — a 33% difference!

Quick Conversion Chart

Using standard US tablespoons (15 ml):

• 1 tablespoon: 15 ml
• 2 tablespoons: 30 ml
• 3 tablespoons: 45 ml
• 4 tablespoons: 60 ml (1/4 cup)
• 5 tablespoons: 75 ml
• 8 tablespoons: 120 ml (1/2 cup)
• 16 tablespoons: 240 ml (1 cup)

Teaspoons to Milliliters

Teaspoons are more consistent internationally:

• 1 US teaspoon: 4.93 ml (usually rounded to 5 ml)
• 1 UK/Australian teaspoon: 5 ml
• 1/2 teaspoon: 2.5 ml
• 1/4 teaspoon: 1.25 ml
• 1/8 teaspoon: 0.6 ml

There are 3 teaspoons in 1 tablespoon (US).

Identifying Recipe Origins

How to tell which tablespoon a recipe uses:

• Check the source: American food blogs use US measures; Australian Women's Weekly uses 20 ml tablespoons
• Look for metric equivalents: If 1 tbsp = 20 ml, it's Australian
• Check other measurements: Recipes using grams alongside tablespoons are likely metric
• Consider the cuisine: British baking recipes often use metric tablespoons

When Precision Matters

The tablespoon difference matters most for:

• Baking powder/soda: Too much or too little affects rise dramatically
• Salt: 33% more salt can ruin a dish
• Spices: Strong spices like cayenne need precision
• Vanilla extract: Expensive, so accuracy saves money
• Yeast: Critical for bread rising

For these ingredients, use milliliters or grams for accuracy.

When It Doesn't Matter Much

These ingredients are forgiving:

• Oil in cooking: A bit more doesn't hurt
• Soy sauce: Adjust to taste anyway
• Honey in marinades: Approximate is fine
• Herbs: More is often better
• Worcestershire sauce: Forgiving in small quantities

Measuring Tablespoons Accurately

Tips for consistent measurements:

• Use proper measuring spoons: Table cutlery varies wildly
• Level off dry ingredients: Use a knife edge
• Fill to the brim for liquids: Surface tension keeps them from spilling
• Consider graduated measuring cups: Easier for multiple tablespoons

Converting Old Recipes

Family recipes passed down through generations may use imprecise "tablespoons." If the recipe is:

• Pre-1970s British: Likely the larger 17.76 ml spoon
• Modern British: Probably metric 15 ml
• Any Australian: Almost certainly 20 ml
• American: 14.79 ml, round to 15 ml

When in doubt, start with the smaller measurement and adjust to taste.

Fluid Ounces Connection

Understanding the relationship to fluid ounces:

• 1 US tablespoon: 0.5 US fluid ounces
• 2 tablespoons: 1 US fluid ounce = 30 ml
• 1 UK tablespoon: 0.6 UK fluid ounces