How Many Teaspoons in a Tablespoon?
There are exactly 3 teaspoons in a tablespoon. Use the chart and calculator below for any amount.
Teaspoon & Tablespoon Converter
Enter any amount and convert instantly.
Full Teaspoon & Tablespoon Conversion Chart
This table covers every common teaspoon and tablespoon conversion you'll need in the kitchen.
| Tablespoons | Teaspoons | Fluid Ounces | Cups | Milliliters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⅛ tbsp | ⅜ tsp | — | — | 0.6 ml |
| ¼ tbsp | ¾ tsp | — | — | 1.2 ml |
| ½ tbsp | 1½ tsp | ¼ fl oz | — | 7.4 ml |
| 1 tbsp | 3 tsp | ½ fl oz | 1/16 cup | 14.8 ml |
| 2 tbsp | 6 tsp | 1 fl oz | ⅛ cup | 29.6 ml |
| 4 tbsp | 12 tsp | 2 fl oz | ¼ cup | 59.1 ml |
| 8 tbsp | 24 tsp | 4 fl oz | ½ cup | 118.3 ml |
| 12 tbsp | 36 tsp | 6 fl oz | ¾ cup | 177.4 ml |
| 16 tbsp | 48 tsp | 8 fl oz | 1 cup | 236.6 ml |
Why This Matters When Cooking
Teaspoons and tablespoons are the most used measurements in everyday cooking — especially for spices, oils, butter, and baking powder. Getting them wrong can completely change a dish, which is why so many people search for this conversion.
Halving a recipe
This is the most common reason people look this up. If a recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of something and you want to make half the recipe, you need 1½ teaspoons. Knowing that 1 tbsp = 3 tsp makes halving and doubling recipes a breeze.
US vs metric tablespoons
A US tablespoon is 14.8 ml. An Australian tablespoon is 20 ml and a UK tablespoon is 15 ml. For most recipes the difference is small enough to ignore, but for precise baking it's worth noting if your recipe comes from overseas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teaspoons in a tablespoon of butter?
3 teaspoons. Butter follows the same conversion as any other ingredient — 1 tablespoon always equals 3 teaspoons regardless of what you're measuring.
What is half of 1 tablespoon?
Half of 1 tablespoon is 1½ teaspoons. Since 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons, half of that is 1.5 teaspoons.
How many teaspoons in ¾ tablespoon?
2¼ teaspoons. Multiply ¾ by 3 to get 2.25 teaspoons.
How many tablespoons in ¼ cup?
4 tablespoons. There are 16 tablespoons in a full cup, so a quarter of that is 4 tablespoons.
Is a teaspoon bigger than a tablespoon?
No — a tablespoon is bigger. One tablespoon holds 3 times as much as one teaspoon. The abbreviation for tablespoon is tbsp and for teaspoon is tsp.
How many teaspoons in a tablespoon of sugar?
3 teaspoons. Sugar, salt, spices — any dry ingredient follows the same conversion. 1 tablespoon always equals 3 teaspoons.