A US tablespoon is half a US fluid ounce.
Tablespoons to Metric tablespoons Converter — tbsp to metric tbsp
Convert Tablespoon (tbsp) to Metric tablespoon (metric tbsp) using the exact conversion factor (1 tablespoon = 0.9857843188 metric tablespoon). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, and common uses.
Tablespoons 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 1.47867648e-5 / 1.5e-5.
Volume units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Tablespoons to Metric tablespoons
Tablespoon 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. Tablespoon is most often used for us recipe and cooking measurement.
Formula
metric tablespoons = tablespoons × 0.98578431875
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 tablespoon equals 0.0000147867647813 base units, and 1 metric tablespoon equals 0.000015 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct tablespoon-to-metric tablespoon factor of 0.98578431875.
Simple example
1 tbsp × 0.9857843188 = 0.9857843188 metric tbsp
1 tablespoon = 0.9857843188 metric tablespoons.
Real-world example
2 tbsp × 0.9857843188 = 1.971568638 metric tbsp
2 tablespoons = 1.971568638 metric tablespoons.
Conversion table
| Tablespoon (tbsp) | Metric tablespoon (metric tbsp) |
|---|---|
| 0.25 tbsp | 0.2464460797 metric tbsp |
| 0.5 tbsp | 0.4928921594 metric tbsp |
| 1 tbsp | 0.9857843188 metric tbsp |
| 2 tbsp | 1.971568638 metric tbsp |
| 4 tbsp | 3.943137275 metric tbsp |
| 8 tbsp | 7.88627455 metric tbsp |
Reverse conversion: Metric tablespoon to Tablespoon
0.9857843188 metric tbsp × 1.014420681 = 1 tbsp
0.9857843188 metric tablespoons = 1 tablespoons.
tablespoons = metric tablespoons × 1.01442068106
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Metric tablespoon to Tablespoon.
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 Metric tablespoon (metric tbsp)
A metric tablespoon is 15 milliliters.
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 metric tablespoons are in 1 tablespoon?
1 tablespoon equals 0.9857843188 metric tablespoons, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert tablespoon to metric tablespoon?
Multiply the tablespoon value by 0.9857843188. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert metric tablespoon back to tablespoon?
Use the reverse factor: 1 metric tablespoon equals 1.014420681 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 metric tablespoon?
Metric tablespoon (metric tbsp) is a unit of cooking.
Is the tablespoon to metric 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.
Where is the tablespoon still used today?
United States (cooking and recipe measurement)