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Tablespoons to mL Converter

What Is a Tablespoon in mL?

A tablespoon (tbsp) is a common cooking measurement whose exact size varies by country. The US tablespoon equals 14.787 mL, the metric tablespoon used in international recipes equals exactly 15 mL, the UK tablespoon equals 17.758 mL, and the Australian tablespoon is 20 mL. This variation causes confusion when following recipes from different countries. For most cooking purposes, the difference between US (14.79 mL) and metric (15 mL) tablespoons is negligible — just 1.4% — and won't affect your recipe. However, the Australian tablespoon is 35% larger than the US version, which can significantly impact baking recipes where precision matters. This converter handles all four standards so you always get accurate measurements regardless of which country's recipes you're following.

How to Convert Tablespoons to Milliliters

Multiply the number of tablespoons by the appropriate conversion factor for your standard: US tablespoon × 14.787 = mL, metric tablespoon × 15 = mL, UK tablespoon × 17.758 = mL, or Australian tablespoon × 20 = mL. For example, 3 US tablespoons = 3 × 14.787 = 44.36 mL. To convert the other direction (mL to tablespoons), divide milliliters by the same factor. For quick mental math with US tablespoons, multiply by 15 (the metric approximation) — you'll be within 1.5% of the exact answer, which is close enough for cooking. For baking, where precision matters more, use the exact 14.787 factor or this converter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many mL in a tablespoon?

It depends on the standard: a US tablespoon is 14.787 mL, a metric tablespoon is exactly 15 mL, a UK tablespoon is 17.758 mL, and an Australian tablespoon is 20 mL. For most cooking purposes, using 15 mL per tablespoon is accurate enough.

Is a tablespoon 15 mL or 20 mL?

A metric tablespoon is 15 mL, which is the international standard. An Australian tablespoon is 20 mL. If you're following an Australian recipe, use 20 mL per tablespoon. For recipes from most other countries, use 15 mL.

How many teaspoons in a tablespoon?

In the US system, 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons exactly. This is consistent across US, metric, and UK standards. An Australian tablespoon equals 4 Australian teaspoons (each 5 mL).

Can I use a regular spoon as a tablespoon?

Not accurately. Regular dinner spoons vary widely in size, typically holding 10-20 mL. For cooking, use proper measuring spoons. For medication dosing, always use the provided dosing device, as inaccurate doses can be harmful.

How do I convert tablespoons to cups?

Divide the number of tablespoons by 16 to get US cups. For example, 6 tablespoons ÷ 16 = 0.375 cups (⅜ cup). Key benchmarks: 4 tbsp = ¼ cup, 8 tbsp = ½ cup, 12 tbsp = ¾ cup, 16 tbsp = 1 cup.

Why are Australian tablespoons different?

When Australia adopted the metric system in the 1970s, they defined the tablespoon as 20 mL (4 teaspoons of 5 mL each) for easy metric math. Most other countries adopted 15 mL (3 teaspoons of 5 mL). This means Australian recipes use about 33% more per tablespoon — important to know when cooking from Australian sources.