A metric tablespoon is 15 milliliters.
Metric tablespoons to Liters Converter — metric tbsp to L
Convert Metric tablespoon (metric tbsp) to Liter (L) using the exact conversion factor (1 metric tablespoon = 0.015 liter). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Metric tablespoons to Liters 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 liter is one cubic decimeter.
Result = input x 1.5e-5 / 0.001.
Volume units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Metric tablespoons to Liters
Metric tablespoon and Liter 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. Specifically: A metric tablespoon is 15 milliliters, and a liter is one cubic decimeter.
Formula
liters = metric tablespoons × 0.015
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 metric tablespoon equals 0.000015 base units, and 1 liter equals 0.001 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct metric tablespoon-to-liter factor of 0.015.
Simple example
1 metric tbsp × 0.015 = 0.015 L
1 metric tablespoon = 0.015 liters.
Real-world example
2 metric tbsp × 0.015 = 0.03 L
2 metric tablespoons = 0.03 liters.
Conversion table
| Metric tablespoon (metric tbsp) | Liter (L) |
|---|---|
| 0.25 metric tbsp | 0.00375 L |
| 0.5 metric tbsp | 0.0075 L |
| 1 metric tbsp | 0.015 L |
| 2 metric tbsp | 0.03 L |
| 4 metric tbsp | 0.06 L |
| 8 metric tbsp | 0.12 L |
Reverse conversion: Liter to Metric tablespoon
0.015 L × 66.66666667 = 1 metric tbsp
0.015 liters = 1 metric tablespoon.
metric tablespoons = liters × 66.6666666667
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Liter to Metric tablespoon.
Understanding the Metric tablespoon (metric tbsp)
A metric tablespoon is 15 milliliters.
Understanding the Liter
Liter (L) measures volume. A liter is defined as exactly one cubic decimeter (0.001 cubic meters). It is classified as a Non-SI metric unit accepted for use with SI.
Where it's used: Standard volume unit for liquids worldwide, including in the US for beverages and fuel labeling in some contexts
Uses of the Liter today
- Beverage, fuel, and liquid product packaging worldwide
- Cooking and recipe measurement in metric countries
- Laboratory and scientific volume measurement
History of the Liter
The liter was introduced with the French metric system in 1795, originally defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water at its freezing point — tying volume, mass, and the meter together.
Between 1901 and 1964, the liter was briefly redefined as the volume of exactly one kilogram of water at its maximum density (about 4 °C), which made it very slightly larger than a cubic decimeter. It was redefined back to exactly one cubic decimeter in 1964, the definition still used today.
Historical origin. Liter was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Liter — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — Non-SI units accepted for use with SI — Current cubic-decimeter definition of the liter.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters are in 1 metric tablespoon?
1 metric tablespoon equals 0.015 liters, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert metric tablespoon to liter?
Multiply the metric tablespoon value by 0.015. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert liter back to metric tablespoon?
Use the reverse factor: 1 liter equals 66.66666667 metric tablespoons. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a metric tablespoon?
Metric tablespoon (metric tbsp) is a unit of cooking.
What is a liter?
Liter (L) measures volume. A liter is defined as exactly one cubic decimeter (0.001 cubic meters). It is classified as a Non-SI metric unit accepted for use with SI.
Is the metric tablespoon to liter conversion exact?
Yes. A liter is defined as exactly one cubic decimeter (0.001 cubic meters). That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.