To convert tablespoons to teaspoons, multiply by 3. 1 tbsp is 3 tsp, ½ tbsp is 1½ tsp, and 2 tbsp is 6 tsp.
This comes up when you halve a recipe, or when your tablespoon is in the dishwasher and you need to measure with a teaspoon instead.
How to use the tablespoons to teaspoons converter
- Type the value in tablespoons into the box. Decimals are fine.
- The result in teaspoons updates as you type, along with the working.
- Need the other way? Switch the direction menu, or open the teaspoons to tablespoons converter.
Formula
In US customary measure, 1 tablespoon is exactly 3 teaspoons (½ fl oz, about 14.79 mL). Metric spoons keep the same ratio: 15 mL and 5 mL. The exception is Australia, where the standard tablespoon is 20 mL, or 4 teaspoons.
Worked example
You're halving a recipe that calls for 1 tablespoon of soy sauce.
- Half of 1 tbsp is 0.5 tbsp.
- 0.5 × 3 = 1.5.
- Result: 1½ teaspoons.
Tablespoons to teaspoons chart
Common values, rounded to 3 decimal places.
| Tablespoons (tbsp) | Teaspoons (tsp) |
|---|---|
| ¼ tbsp | 0.75 tsp |
| ⅓ tbsp | 1 tsp |
| ½ tbsp | 1.5 tsp |
| ⅔ tbsp | 2 tsp |
| ¾ tbsp | 2.25 tsp |
| 1 tbsp | 3 tsp |
| 1.5 tbsp | 4.5 tsp |
| 2 tbsp | 6 tsp |
| 2.5 tbsp | 7.5 tsp |
| 3 tbsp | 9 tsp |
| 4 tbsp | 12 tsp |
| 5 tbsp | 15 tsp |
| 6 tbsp | 18 tsp |
| 8 tbsp | 24 tsp |
| 16 tbsp | 48 tsp |
Spoons and other kitchen measures
- 16 tablespoons = 1 cup, so ¼ cup = 4 tbsp = 12 tsp.
- 2 tablespoons = 1 fluid ounce (29.57 mL).
- A US tablespoon is 14.79 mL; a metric one is 15 mL. Use measuring spoons, not cutlery: dinner spoons vary a lot.
- In Australia the tablespoon is 20 mL (4 tsp). If an Australian recipe says 1 tbsp, use 4 US teaspoons.
Quick mental math
Just triple it. For fractions: ⅓ tbsp = 1 tsp, ⅔ tbsp = 2 tsp.
Related conversions
Going the other way: teaspoons to tablespoons converter. Related pages: cups to ml converter, ml to cups converter, ounces to ml converter (fl oz to ml). For other units in the same family, use the full cooking measurement converter.
Caveats and assumptions
- Assumes US or metric spoons (3 tsp per tbsp). Australian tablespoons hold 4 tsp.
- Results show up to 10 significant digits; the chart is rounded for reading. Keep full precision for engineering, medical or legal work.
Frequently asked questions
How many teaspoons are in a tablespoon?
Three (US and metric). Four in Australia.
What is half a tablespoon in teaspoons?
1½ teaspoons.
How many teaspoons in ¼ cup?
12 teaspoons (4 tablespoons).
How many mL is a tablespoon?
14.79 mL (US), usually rounded to 15 mL.
Sources
- NIST Metric Kitchen — Cooking Measurement Equivalencies — household cup, spoon and fluid-ounce equivalents
- eCFR 21 CFR 101.9 — Nutrition labeling of food — label conventions: 1 cup = 240 mL, 1 fl oz = 30 mL, 1 tbsp = 15 mL, 1 tsp = 5 mL
- NIST SP 811 Appendix B.9 — Conversion factors — tablespoon and teaspoon (US) to liter
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