Tablespoons to ML Converter

Convert tablespoons to milliliters and ml to tbsp. Supports US, metric, and Australian tablespoon standards.

Tablespoon standard

Tablespoons

tbsp

15 ml

Equivalent in teaspoons

3 tsp

Equivalent in cups

0.063 cups

Volume Equivalents

1 US cup = 16 US tablespoons = 48 US teaspoons
1 US tablespoon = 3 US teaspoons
1 Australian tablespoon = 4 metric teaspoons

Tablespoons to Milliliters Reference

Tablespoons	US (ml)	Metric (ml)	AU (ml)
0.5	7.4	7.5	10.0
1	14.8	15.0	20.0
1.5	22.2	22.5	30.0
2	29.6	30.0	40.0
3	44.4	45.0	60.0
4	59.1	60.0	80.0
5	73.9	75.0	100.0
8	118.3	120.0	160.0
10	147.9	150.0	200.0
16	236.6	240.0	320.0

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Tablespoons to mL converter. US, metric, and Australian tablespoon standards.

A tablespoons to mL converter calculates the exact milliliter equivalent using US (14.79 mL), metric (15 mL), or Australian (20 mL) standards. It also works in reverse, converting milliliters back to tablespoons in whichever system your recipe requires.

What Is a Tablespoons to Milliliters Conversion?

A tablespoons to milliliters (tbsp to mL) conversion translates a tablespoon measurement into its equivalent volume in milliliters. The exact conversion depends on which tablespoon standard you are using: a US tablespoon equals approximately 14.79 mL, a metric tablespoon equals exactly 15 mL, and an Australian tablespoon equals 20 mL.

This matters more than most cooks realize. If you follow an Australian recipe that calls for 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract but measure with a US tablespoon, you will use only 29.6 mL instead of the intended 40 mL. That is 26% less than the recipe expects, which can noticeably affect flavor in delicate desserts and sauces.

Our tablespoons to mL converter supports all three international standards and works bidirectionally. Enter a value in tablespoons to get milliliters, or enter milliliters to find the tablespoon equivalent in whichever system you need.

How to Convert Tablespoons to Milliliters

To convert tablespoons to milliliters, multiply the number of tablespoons by the milliliter value of the tablespoon standard you are using.

Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Determine which tablespoon standard your recipe uses. US recipes use 14.79 mL, most international metric recipes use 15 mL, and Australian recipes use 20 mL.

2. Multiply the number of tablespoons by the conversion factor. For example, 3 US tablespoons = 3 x 14.79 = 44.36 mL.

3. For the reverse conversion (mL to tablespoons), divide the milliliters by the conversion factor. For example, 60 mL / 15 = 4 metric tablespoons.

For most everyday cooking in the United States, the difference between 14.79 mL (exact US) and 15 mL (metric) is negligible. The discrepancy is only 0.21 mL per tablespoon, which amounts to about 1.4%. However, the Australian tablespoon at 20 mL is significantly larger and requires careful attention when following Australian recipes.

Tablespoons to Milliliters Formula

V_{mL} = V_{tbsp} \times F

$V_{mL}$ = Volume in milliliters
$V_{tbsp}$ = Volume in tablespoons
$F$ = Conversion factor based on the tablespoon standard

The conversion factor (F) depends on the tablespoon standard:

- US customary tablespoon: F = 14.7868 mL (exactly 1/2 US fluid ounce) - Metric tablespoon: F = 15 mL (used in international recipes and US nutrition labels) - Australian tablespoon: F = 20 mL (used in Australian cooking)

For the reverse conversion from milliliters to tablespoons:

V_{tbsp} = \frac{V_{mL}}{F}

Note that the US government defines a tablespoon as 15 mL for nutrition labeling purposes, even though the actual US customary tablespoon is 14.79 mL. When reading nutrition labels in the US, use 15 mL per tablespoon.

Tablespoons to Milliliters Conversion Examples

Converting a Salad Dressing Recipe

A vinaigrette recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Using the metric tablespoon (15 mL):

- 3 tbsp olive oil = 3 x 15 = 45 mL - 2 tbsp vinegar = 2 x 15 = 30 mL - 1 tbsp lemon juice = 1 x 15 = 15 mL

Total liquid = 90 mL. If you own a graduated measuring cup marked in milliliters, you can measure these directly instead of counting tablespoons.

Adapting an Australian Recipe for US Tablespoons

An Australian recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. In Australia, 1 tablespoon = 20 mL, so 2 tablespoons = 40 mL. If you measure with US tablespoons (14.79 mL each), you need 40 / 14.79 = 2.7 US tablespoons. Rounding to 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons (since 1 US tsp = 4.93 mL, 2 tsp = 9.86 mL, total = 39.44 mL) gives a close approximation. Ignoring this difference would leave your dish underseasoned.

Measuring Medicine in Milliliters

A liquid medicine dosage is 2 tablespoons every 8 hours. The pharmacist specifies 30 mL per dose (using the 15 mL metric standard). If you measure with a US tablespoon (14.79 mL), 2 tablespoons gives you only 29.57 mL, about 1.4% less than intended. For medicine, always use the milliliter marking on a dosing syringe or medicine cup to ensure accuracy.

Tips for Accurate Tablespoon to mL Conversions

Always check the origin of a recipe before measuring. American, British, and metric recipes all use tablespoons, but the Australian tablespoon (20 mL) is 35% larger than the US tablespoon (14.79 mL). Mismatching standards is the most common conversion mistake.
For small quantities of potent ingredients like spices, extracts, or leavening agents, even a 1 mL difference per tablespoon can affect the result. Use a milliliter-marked measuring syringe or pipette for precision.
Remember that 1 US tablespoon = 3 US teaspoons. If you need 1/2 tablespoon and don't have a half-tablespoon measure, use 1.5 teaspoons instead.
When doubling or tripling recipes, convert to milliliters first and then measure with a graduated cup or beaker. It is faster and more accurate than counting out 12 tablespoons individually.
US nutrition labels define 1 tablespoon as 15 mL, not 14.79 mL. This rounding is intentional for labeling simplicity. When following serving size guidance on a food label, use 15 mL.
If you bake frequently with international recipes, keep a small reference note on your fridge: US = 14.8 mL, Metric = 15 mL, Australian = 20 mL.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tablespoons to Milliliters

How many mL are in a tablespoon?

It depends on the standard. A US customary tablespoon equals 14.79 mL, a metric tablespoon equals exactly 15 mL, and an Australian tablespoon equals 20 mL. For most US cooking purposes, using 15 mL per tablespoon is accurate enough, as the 0.21 mL difference from the exact US definition is negligible.

Why is the Australian tablespoon different?

When Australia metricated its measurement system in the 1970s, it adopted a 20 mL tablespoon to maintain a convenient 1:4 ratio with its 5 mL teaspoon (4 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon). The US uses a 1:3 ratio (3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon). This historical decision makes Australian tablespoons about 35% larger than US tablespoons.

How many tablespoons are in 100 mL?

Using the metric tablespoon (15 mL), 100 mL equals approximately 6.67 tablespoons. Using the US tablespoon (14.79 mL), it equals about 6.76 tablespoons. Using the Australian tablespoon (20 mL), it equals exactly 5 tablespoons.

Is 15 mL exactly 1 tablespoon?

Yes, if you are using the metric (international) tablespoon standard. The US customary tablespoon is slightly smaller at 14.7868 mL. However, for US nutrition labeling, the FDA defines 1 tablespoon as 15 mL. In practice, this 1.4% difference is irrelevant for cooking but can matter for precise medication dosing.

How do I convert tablespoons to teaspoons?

In the US and metric systems, 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons. So multiply the number of tablespoons by 3 to get teaspoons. In Australia, 1 tablespoon = 4 teaspoons (both are metric: 20 mL / 5 mL). This is another reason to verify which measurement system a recipe uses.

What is the difference between a tablespoon and a dessert spoon?

A dessert spoon is a measurement used primarily in the UK and Australia, equal to 10 mL (two teaspoons). It is smaller than any tablespoon standard. Dessert spoons are not commonly used in American recipes but may appear in older British cookbooks and some Australian ones.

How many tablespoons are in a cup?

A US cup contains 16 US tablespoons. Since 1 US cup = 236.59 mL and 1 US tablespoon = 14.79 mL, dividing gives exactly 16. This relationship holds for the US system. For a metric cup (250 mL) measured with metric tablespoons (15 mL), the answer is 16.67 tablespoons.

Should I use tablespoons or milliliters for baking?

For dry ingredients, grams (weight) are the most accurate. For liquids, milliliters are more precise than tablespoons because you can measure exact values with a graduated cylinder or cup. Tablespoons are convenient for small amounts, but if a recipe calls for more than 4 tablespoons of a liquid, converting to milliliters and using a measuring cup is faster and more accurate.

Key Terms

Tablespoon (US)

A unit of volume equal to 14.7868 mL, or exactly 1/2 US fluid ounce. Abbreviated as tbsp or Tbsp.

Tablespoon (Metric)

A unit of volume equal to exactly 15 milliliters. Used in international recipes and on US nutrition labels.

Tablespoon (Australian)

A unit of volume equal to 20 milliliters, unique to Australian cooking measurements. Equivalent to 4 Australian teaspoons.

Milliliter (mL)

A metric unit of volume equal to one thousandth of a liter, or approximately 0.034 US fluid ounces. The standard small-volume measurement in the metric system.

Teaspoon

A unit of volume equal to approximately 4.93 mL (US) or exactly 5 mL (metric). There are 3 teaspoons in a US tablespoon and 4 teaspoons in an Australian tablespoon.

Fluid Ounce (US)

A unit of volume equal to approximately 29.57 mL. One US tablespoon equals exactly 1/2 US fluid ounce.

Metrication

The process of adopting the metric system as the standard system of measurement. Countries that metricated (such as Australia in the 1970s) adopted metric units for cooking, leading to standardized tablespoon and teaspoon sizes.