A US tablespoon is half a US fluid ounce.
Tablespoons to Cups Converter — tbsp to cup
Convert Tablespoon (tbsp) to Cup (cup) using the exact conversion factor (1 tablespoon = 0.0625 cup). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Tablespoons to Cups 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 customary cup is 236.5882365 milliliters.
Result = input x 1.47867648e-5 / 0.0002365882365.
Volume units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Tablespoons to Cups
Tablespoon and Cup 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. Tablespoon is typically associated with united States (cooking and recipe measurement), while Cup is typically associated with united States (recipes and cooking measurement).
Formula
cups = tablespoons × 0.0625
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 tablespoon equals 0.0000147867647813 base units, and 1 cup equals 0.0002365882365 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct tablespoon-to-cup factor of 0.0625.
Simple example
1 tbsp × 0.0625 = 0.0625 cup
1 tablespoon = 0.0625 cups.
Real-world example
2 tbsp × 0.0625 = 0.125 cup
2 tablespoons = 0.125 cups.
Conversion table
| Tablespoon (tbsp) | Cup (cup) |
|---|---|
| 0.25 tbsp | 0.015625 cup |
| 0.5 tbsp | 0.03125 cup |
| 1 tbsp | 0.0625 cup |
| 2 tbsp | 0.125 cup |
| 4 tbsp | 0.25 cup |
| 8 tbsp | 0.5 cup |
Reverse conversion: Cup to Tablespoon
0.0625 cup × 16 = 1 tbsp
0.0625 cups = 1 tablespoon.
tablespoons = cups × 16
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Cup to Tablespoon.
Tablespoon vs. Cup
| Aspect | Tablespoon | Cup |
|---|---|---|
| Family | US customary unit | US customary unit (culinary) |
| Typical use | US recipe and cooking measurement | US recipe and cooking measurement |
| Where it's used | United States (cooking and recipe measurement) | United States (recipes and cooking measurement) |
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
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.
Tablespoon — sources
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C — General tables of units including the US tablespoon definition.
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 cups are in 1 tablespoon?
1 tablespoon equals 0.0625 cups, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert tablespoon to cup?
Multiply the tablespoon value by 0.0625. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert cup back to tablespoon?
Use the reverse factor: 1 cup equals 16 tablespoons. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
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.
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).
Is the tablespoon to cup 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 tablespoon still used today?
United States (cooking and recipe measurement)