A US tablespoon is half a US fluid ounce.
Tablespoons to Milliliters Converter — tbsp to mL
Convert Tablespoon (tbsp) to Milliliter (mL) using the exact conversion factor (1 tablespoon = 14.78676478 milliliter). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Tablespoons to Milliliters 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.
Milliliter is 0.001 liter units.
Result = input x 1.47867648e-5 / 1e-6.
Volume units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Tablespoons to Milliliters
Tablespoon and Milliliter 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 Milliliter is typically associated with standard small-volume unit worldwide.
Formula
milliliters = tablespoons × 14.7867647813
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 tablespoon equals 0.0000147867647813 base units, and 1 milliliter equals 0.000001 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct tablespoon-to-milliliter factor of 14.7867647813.
Simple example
1 tbsp × 14.78676478 = 14.78676478 mL
1 tablespoon = 14.78676478 milliliters.
Real-world example
2 tbsp × 14.78676478 = 29.57352956 mL
2 tablespoons = 29.57352956 milliliters.
Conversion table
| Tablespoon (tbsp) | Milliliter (mL) |
|---|---|
| 0.25 tbsp | 3.696691195 mL |
| 0.5 tbsp | 7.393382391 mL |
| 1 tbsp | 14.78676478 mL |
| 2 tbsp | 29.57352956 mL |
| 4 tbsp | 59.14705913 mL |
| 8 tbsp | 118.2941183 mL |
Reverse conversion: Milliliter to Tablespoon
14.78676478 mL × 0.0676280454 = 0.9999999999 tbsp
14.78676478 milliliters = 0.9999999999 tablespoons.
tablespoons = milliliters × 0.0676280454037
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Milliliter to Tablespoon.
Tablespoon vs. Milliliter
| Aspect | Tablespoon | Milliliter |
|---|---|---|
| Family | US customary unit | SI derived (metric prefix) unit |
| Typical use | US recipe and cooking measurement | Medicine dosing (worldwide, including in the US) |
| Where it's used | United States (cooking and recipe measurement) | Standard small-volume unit worldwide |
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 Milliliter
Milliliter (mL) measures volume. A milliliter is one-thousandth of a liter, equal to one cubic centimeter. It is classified as a SI derived (metric prefix) unit.
Where it's used: Standard small-volume unit worldwide
Uses of the Milliliter today
- Medicine dosing (worldwide, including in the US)
- Cooking and recipe measurement outside the US
- Beverage and small-container labeling
History of the Milliliter
The milliliter follows directly from the liter via the 'milli-' SI prefix. It is notable as one of the few metric units in routine US use, since medicine dosing (syringes, liquid medication) is specified in milliliters even in the US.
Historical origin. Milliliter 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.
Milliliter — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — SI prefixes — Defines 'milli-' as the prefix for 10⁻³.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many milliliters are in 1 tablespoon?
1 tablespoon equals 14.78676478 milliliters, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert tablespoon to milliliter?
Multiply the tablespoon value by 14.78676478. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert milliliter back to tablespoon?
Use the reverse factor: 1 milliliter equals 0.0676280454 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 milliliter?
Milliliter (mL) measures volume. A milliliter is one-thousandth of a liter, equal to one cubic centimeter. It is classified as a SI derived (metric prefix) unit.
Is the tablespoon to milliliter 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.
Where is the tablespoon still used today?
United States (cooking and recipe measurement)