A US customary cup is 236.5882365 milliliters.
Cups to Metric tablespoons Converter — cup to metric tbsp
Convert Cup (cup) to Metric tablespoon (metric tbsp) using the exact conversion factor (1 cup = 15.7725491 metric tablespoon). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Cups to Metric tablespoons converter
Converter
Cooking Converter
Convert cooking volume and mass units used in recipes and nutrition workflows.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
A metric tablespoon is 15 milliliters.
Result = input x 0.0002365882365 / 1.5e-5.
Volume units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Cups to Metric tablespoons
Cup and Metric tablespoon both show up in recipes, and converting between them matters whenever a recipe from one country's cookbook needs to be followed with another country's measuring tools. Cup is most often used for us recipe and cooking measurement.
Formula
metric tablespoons = cups × 15.7725491
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 cup equals 0.0002365882365 base units, and 1 metric tablespoon equals 0.000015 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct cup-to-metric tablespoon factor of 15.7725491.
Simple example
1 cup × 15.7725491 = 15.7725491 metric tbsp
1 cup = 15.7725491 metric tablespoons.
Real-world example
2 cup × 15.7725491 = 31.5450982 metric tbsp
2 cups = 31.5450982 metric tablespoons.
Conversion table
| Cup (cup) | Metric tablespoon (metric tbsp) |
|---|---|
| 0.25 cup | 3.943137275 metric tbsp |
| 0.5 cup | 7.88627455 metric tbsp |
| 1 cup | 15.7725491 metric tbsp |
| 2 cup | 31.5450982 metric tbsp |
| 4 cup | 63.0901964 metric tbsp |
| 8 cup | 126.1803928 metric tbsp |
Reverse conversion: Metric tablespoon to Cup
15.7725491 metric tbsp × 0.06340129257 = 1 cup
15.7725491 metric tablespoons = 1 cup.
cups = metric tablespoons × 0.063401292566
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Metric tablespoon to Cup.
Understanding the Cup
Cup (cup) measures volume. The US customary cup used in cooking is defined as exactly 240 milliliters (a rounded culinary standard, not the older 236.588 mL legal cup). It is classified as a US customary unit (culinary).
Where it's used: United States (recipes and cooking measurement)
Cooking cup vs. legal US cup. US recipes commonly round the cup to 240 mL for convenience, while the precise legal US cup (used to derive fluid ounces, pints, etc.) is 236.588 mL — a small but sometimes noticeable difference in precise baking.
Uses of the Cup today
- US recipe and cooking measurement
- Nutrition labeling serving sizes
- Baking, where volume-based flour/sugar measurement is still common in the US
History of the Cup
The cup as a cooking measure grew out of household and community cookbook conventions in 19th-century America, standardizing what had been ad hoc measurements ('a teacup of flour') into a fixed volume.
The US FDA uses a rounded 240 mL 'metric cup' for nutrition labeling purposes, distinct from the slightly smaller legal/customary cup (236.588 mL, exactly 1/16 of a US gallon) used elsewhere.
Historical origin. Cup was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Metric tablespoon (metric tbsp)
A metric tablespoon is 15 milliliters.
Cup — sources
- US FDA — Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed — Uses the 240 mL rounded cup for nutrition labeling.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many metric tablespoons are in 1 cup?
1 cup equals 15.7725491 metric tablespoons, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert cup to metric tablespoon?
Multiply the cup value by 15.7725491. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert metric tablespoon back to cup?
Use the reverse factor: 1 metric tablespoon equals 0.0634012926 cups. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a cup?
Cup (cup) measures volume. The US customary cup used in cooking is defined as exactly 240 milliliters (a rounded culinary standard, not the older 236.588 mL legal cup). It is classified as a US customary unit (culinary).
What is a metric tablespoon?
Metric tablespoon (metric tbsp) is a unit of cooking.
Is the cup to metric tablespoon conversion exact?
Yes. The US customary cup used in cooking is defined as exactly 240 milliliters (a rounded culinary standard, not the older 236.588 mL legal cup). That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
What is the difference between cooking cup vs. legal us cup?
US recipes commonly round the cup to 240 mL for convenience, while the precise legal US cup (used to derive fluid ounces, pints, etc.) is 236.588 mL — a small but sometimes noticeable difference in precise baking.
Where is the cup still used today?
United States (recipes and cooking measurement)