A US customary cup is 236.5882365 milliliters.
Cups to Tablespoons Converter — cup to tbsp
Convert Cup (cup) to Tablespoon (tbsp) using the exact conversion factor (1 cup = 16 tablespoon). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Cups to Tablespoons converter
Converter
Volume Converter
Convert metric, US customary, imperial, cooking, dry, and industrial volume units.
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 0.0002365882365 / 1.47867648e-5.
Volume uses the cubic meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Cups to Tablespoons
Cup and Tablespoon appear side by side at fuel pumps and on beverage labels, since the US measures liquids in gallons while most of the world uses liters. Cup is typically associated with united States (recipes and cooking measurement), while Tablespoon is typically associated with united States (cooking and recipe measurement).
Formula
tablespoons = cups × 16
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 cup equals 0.0002365882365 base units, and 1 tablespoon equals 0.0000147867647813 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct cup-to-tablespoon factor of 16.
Simple example
1 cup × 16 = 16 tbsp
1 cup = 16 tablespoons.
Real-world example
10 cup × 16 = 160 tbsp
10 cups = 160 tablespoons.
Conversion table
| Cup (cup) | Tablespoon (tbsp) |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | 16 tbsp |
| 5 cup | 80 tbsp |
| 10 cup | 160 tbsp |
| 25 cup | 400 tbsp |
| 50 cup | 800 tbsp |
| 100 cup | 1,600 tbsp |
Reverse conversion: Tablespoon to Cup
16 tbsp × 0.0625 = 1 cup
16 tablespoons = 1 cup.
cups = tablespoons × 0.0625
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Tablespoon to Cup.
Cup vs. Tablespoon
| Aspect | Cup | Tablespoon |
|---|---|---|
| Family | US customary unit (culinary) | US customary unit |
| Typical use | US recipe and cooking measurement | US recipe and cooking measurement |
| Where it's used | United States (recipes and cooking measurement) | United States (cooking and recipe measurement) |
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.
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
Cup — sources
- US FDA — Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed — Uses the 240 mL rounded cup for nutrition labeling.
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 cup?
1 cup equals 16 tablespoons, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert cup to tablespoon?
Multiply the cup value by 16. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert tablespoon back to cup?
Use the reverse factor: 1 tablespoon equals 0.0625 cups. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
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).
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 cup 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.
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 cup still used today?
United States (recipes and cooking measurement)