A US tablespoon is half a US fluid ounce.
Tablespoons to Teaspoons Converter — tbsp to tsp
Convert Tablespoon (tbsp) to Teaspoon (tsp) using the exact conversion factor (1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoon). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, and common uses.
Tablespoons to Teaspoons 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 teaspoon is one third of a US tablespoon.
Result = input x 1.47867648e-5 / 4.92892159e-6.
Volume units are compatible.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Tablespoons to Teaspoons
Tablespoon and Teaspoon 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
teaspoons = tablespoons × 3
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 tablespoon equals 0.0000147867647813 base units, and 1 teaspoon equals 0.00000492892159375 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct tablespoon-to-teaspoon factor of 3.
Simple example
1 tbsp × 3 = 3 tsp
1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons.
Real-world example
2 tbsp × 3 = 6 tsp
2 tablespoons = 6 teaspoons.
Conversion table
| Tablespoon (tbsp) | Teaspoon (tsp) |
|---|---|
| 0.25 tbsp | 0.75 tsp |
| 0.5 tbsp | 1.5 tsp |
| 1 tbsp | 3 tsp |
| 2 tbsp | 6 tsp |
| 4 tbsp | 12 tsp |
| 8 tbsp | 24 tsp |
Reverse conversion: Teaspoon to Tablespoon
3 tsp × 0.3333333333 = 1 tbsp
3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoons.
tablespoons = teaspoons × 0.333333333333
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Teaspoon to Tablespoon.
Tablespoon vs. Teaspoon
| Aspect | Tablespoon | Teaspoon |
|---|---|---|
| Family | US customary unit | US customary unit |
| Typical use | US recipe and cooking measurement | US recipe and cooking measurement for small quantities |
| Where it's used | United States (cooking and recipe measurement) | United States (cooking and recipe 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 Teaspoon
Teaspoon (tsp) measures volume. The US teaspoon is exactly 4.92892159375 milliliters — 1/3 of a US tablespoon and 1/48 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 Teaspoon today
- US recipe and cooking measurement for small quantities
- Medication dosing instructions in the US
- Baking measurement alongside the tablespoon and cup
Tablespoon — sources
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C — General tables of units including the US tablespoon definition.
Teaspoon — sources
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C — General tables of units including the US teaspoon definition.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many teaspoons are in 1 tablespoon?
1 tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert tablespoon to teaspoon?
Multiply the tablespoon value by 3. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert teaspoon back to tablespoon?
Use the reverse factor: 1 teaspoon equals 0.3333333333 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 teaspoon?
Teaspoon (tsp) measures volume. The US teaspoon is exactly 4.92892159375 milliliters — 1/3 of a US tablespoon and 1/48 of a US cup. It is classified as a US customary unit.
Is the tablespoon to teaspoon conversion exact?
Yes. The US teaspoon is exactly 4.92892159375 milliliters — 1/3 of a US tablespoon and 1/48 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)