Tablespoons ⇢ Milliliters

A tablespoon (tbsp) is a common kitchen volume measure used in recipes worldwide. A milliliter (ml) is a metric unit equal to one thousandth of a liter, and it’s the standard unit for liquid volume in most countries. Use this converter when you need to translate recipe spoon measures into precise metric amounts.

Which tablespoon do I have – US, metric or UK?

There isn’t a single global “tablespoon” volume different countries (and even some cookbooks) use slightly different tablespoon sizes. The three most common standards used in recipes are:

• US tablespoon (US tbsp) exactly about 14.7868 ml.
• Metric tablespoon (sometimes used in Europe and recipes labeled “metric”) exactly 15 ml.
• UK (imperial) tablespoon about 17.7582 ml.

The simple conversion formula

To convert tablespoons to milliliters:

milliliters = tablespoons × (ml per tablespoon)

For example (US tablespoon):

ml = tbsp × 14.7868

And to convert backwards:

tablespoons = milliliters ÷ (ml per tablespoon)

Examples

• 1 US tbsp = 14.7868 ml.
• 2 US tbsp ≈ 29.5736 ml (useful for small liquid medicines or dressings).
• 1 metric tbsp = 15 ml (round and convenient for European recipes).

How to use this calculator on recipes

1. Identify whether the recipe uses US, metric, or UK tablespoons. If it doesn’t say, check the website/cookbook origin US recipes almost always use the US tbsp.
2. Enter the number of tablespoons and choose the correct tablespoon standard. The converter will output milliliters and commonly used kitchen equivalents (liters, cups, teaspoons, fluid ounces).
3. For cooking, small rounding is usually fine (e.g., round 14.7868 ml to 15 ml for a single tablespoon), but for medicine or lab work keep the full precision.

Measuring tips

• Liquids vs solids: tablespoon (volume) measures are best used for liquids or ingredients measured by volume (oil, milk, water). For dry ingredients (flour, sugar) weight (grams/ounces) is more reliable because packing and aeration change volume.
• Level vs heaped spoon: a level tablespoon means the surface is even with the spoon rim; a heaped (rounded) tablespoon contains more adjust recipes or use grams for repeatability.
• When precision matters: medicine dosing, laboratory work, and some baking require exact volumes use the exact conversion factor and a proper measuring device (syringe, graduated cylinder, or metric measuring spoon).
• Rounding practicalities: in most kitchens, rounding each tablespoon to 15 ml is perfectly acceptable for taste-sensitive but forgiving recipes (soups, sauces). For delicate baking or dosing, use the more exact values above.

US Tablespoon to Milliliter Conversions Table

US Tbsp	Milliliters (ml)
1 tbsp	14.79 ml
2 tbsp	29.57 ml
3 tbsp	44.36 ml
4 tbsp	59.15 ml
5 tbsp	73.93 ml
6 tbsp	88.72 ml
7 tbsp	103.50 ml
8 tbsp	118.29 ml
9 tbsp	133.08 ml
10 tbsp	147.87 ml
12 tbsp	177.44 ml
14 tbsp	207.01 ml
16 tbsp (1 cup)	236.59 ml
20 tbsp	295.74 ml
24 tbsp	354.88 ml
32 tbsp	473.18 ml
48 tbsp	709.76 ml

FAQs

Q1. Can I always use “15 ml = 1 tbsp”?

A: For everyday cooking yes many recipes and tools assume 15 ml per tablespoon but if you want absolute accuracy follow the specific standard your recipe uses (US, metric, or UK).

Q2. Why do recipes still use tablespoons instead of metric units?

A: Tablespoons are convenient and familiar; many households already have spoon sets, and for informal cooking the convenience outweighs precision. For professional cooking and scientific tasks, metric weights/volumes are preferred.

Q3. Where can I find recommended measuring tools?

A: For liquids, use a clear measuring jug with metric graduations or a kitchen syringe for small volumes. For dry ingredients, use a scale to measure grams for consistent results.

Sources: NIST – National Institute of Standards and Technology (USA), International System of Units (SI), UK Government Weights and Measures Act / National Measurement Office, ISO & Codex Alimentarius.