A US teaspoon is one third of a US tablespoon.
Teaspoons to Cups Converter — tsp to cup
Convert Teaspoon (tsp) to Cup (cup) using the exact conversion factor (1 teaspoon = 0.0208333333 cup). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Teaspoons to Cups 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 customary cup is 236.5882365 milliliters.
Result = input x 4.92892159e-6 / 0.0002365882365.
Volume uses the cubic meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Teaspoons to Cups
Teaspoon and Cup 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. Teaspoon is typically associated with united States (cooking and recipe measurement), while Cup is typically associated with united States (recipes and cooking measurement).
Formula
cups = teaspoons × 0.0208333333333
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 teaspoon equals 0.00000492892159375 base units, and 1 cup equals 0.0002365882365 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct teaspoon-to-cup factor of 0.0208333333333.
Simple example
1 tsp × 0.02083333333 = 0.0208333333 cup
1 teaspoon = 0.0208333333 cups.
Real-world example
10 tsp × 0.02083333333 = 0.2083333333 cup
10 teaspoons = 0.2083333333 cups.
Conversion table
| Teaspoon (tsp) | Cup (cup) |
|---|---|
| 1 tsp | 0.0208333333 cup |
| 5 tsp | 0.1041666667 cup |
| 10 tsp | 0.2083333333 cup |
| 25 tsp | 0.5208333333 cup |
| 50 tsp | 1.041666667 cup |
| 100 tsp | 2.083333333 cup |
Reverse conversion: Cup to Teaspoon
0.0208333333 cup × 48 = 0.9999999984 tsp
0.0208333333 cups = 0.9999999984 teaspoons.
teaspoons = cups × 48
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Cup to Teaspoon.
Teaspoon vs. Cup
| Aspect | Teaspoon | Cup |
|---|---|---|
| Family | US customary unit | US customary unit (culinary) |
| Typical use | US recipe and cooking measurement for small quantities | US recipe and cooking measurement |
| Where it's used | United States (cooking and recipe measurement) | United States (recipes and cooking measurement) |
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
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.
Teaspoon — sources
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C — General tables of units including the US teaspoon 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 teaspoon?
1 teaspoon equals 0.0208333333 cups, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert teaspoon to cup?
Multiply the teaspoon value by 0.02083333333. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert cup back to teaspoon?
Use the reverse factor: 1 cup equals 48 teaspoons. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
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.
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 teaspoon 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 teaspoon still used today?
United States (cooking and recipe measurement)