A metric tablespoon is 15 milliliters.
Metric tablespoons to Tablespoons Converter — metric tbsp to tbsp
Convert Metric tablespoon (metric tbsp) to Tablespoon (tbsp) using the exact conversion factor (1 metric tablespoon = 1.014420681 tablespoon). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, and common uses.
Metric tablespoons to 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 US tablespoon is half a US fluid ounce.
Result = input x 1.5e-5 / 1.47867648e-5.
Volume units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Metric tablespoons to Tablespoons
Metric tablespoon and 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. Specifically: A metric tablespoon is 15 milliliters, and a US tablespoon is half a US fluid ounce.
Formula
tablespoons = metric tablespoons × 1.01442068106
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 tablespoon equals 0.0000147867647813 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct metric tablespoon-to-tablespoon factor of 1.01442068106.
Simple example
1 metric tbsp × 1.014420681 = 1.014420681 tbsp
1 metric tablespoon = 1.014420681 tablespoons.
Real-world example
2 metric tbsp × 1.014420681 = 2.028841362 tbsp
2 metric tablespoons = 2.028841362 tablespoons.
Conversion table
| Metric tablespoon (metric tbsp) | Tablespoon (tbsp) |
|---|---|
| 0.25 metric tbsp | 0.2536051703 tbsp |
| 0.5 metric tbsp | 0.5072103405 tbsp |
| 1 metric tbsp | 1.014420681 tbsp |
| 2 metric tbsp | 2.028841362 tbsp |
| 4 metric tbsp | 4.057682724 tbsp |
| 8 metric tbsp | 8.115365448 tbsp |
Reverse conversion: Tablespoon to Metric tablespoon
1.014420681 tbsp × 0.9857843188 = 0.9999999999 metric tbsp
1.014420681 tablespoons = 0.9999999999 metric tablespoons.
metric tablespoons = tablespoons × 0.98578431875
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Tablespoon to Metric tablespoon.
Understanding the Metric tablespoon (metric tbsp)
A metric tablespoon is 15 milliliters.
Understanding the Tablespoon
Tablespoon (tbsp) measures volume. The US tablespoon is exactly 14.78676478125 milliliters — 3 US teaspoons, or 1/16 of a US cup. It is classified as a US customary unit.
Where it's used: United States (cooking and recipe measurement)
Uses of the Tablespoon today
- US recipe and cooking measurement
- Nutrition labeling serving sizes in the US
- Medication dosing instructions in the US
Tablespoon — sources
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C — General tables of units including the US tablespoon definition.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many tablespoons are in 1 metric tablespoon?
1 metric tablespoon equals 1.014420681 tablespoons, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert metric tablespoon to tablespoon?
Multiply the metric tablespoon value by 1.014420681. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert tablespoon back to metric tablespoon?
Use the reverse factor: 1 tablespoon equals 0.9857843188 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 tablespoon?
Tablespoon (tbsp) measures volume. The US tablespoon is exactly 14.78676478125 milliliters — 3 US teaspoons, or 1/16 of a US cup. It is classified as a US customary unit.
Is the metric tablespoon to tablespoon conversion exact?
Yes. The US tablespoon is exactly 14.78676478125 milliliters — 3 US teaspoons, or 1/16 of a US 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.