How Many Tablespoons in a Cup (Free Calculator)

Tablespoons to Cup Calculator

People who enjoy cooking no doubt love to try out new recipes now and then. However, some recipes specifically mention adding some ingredients in cup measurement. So, if you don’t have a measuring cup in your house, you might wonder how many tablespoons in a cup. You will get your answer in the article.

Well, a cup generally means sixteen US tablespoons. However, not every recipe is of the same country nor do they mention one specific cup size. The cup size might vary from country to country.

So, you will have to figure out which country’s recipe you are following to understand exactly how many tablespoons you would require to make a cup. In this article, I will discuss different cup sizes and how many tbsp. would make one cup in different countries, along with some other information that you might find helpful and a free calculator you can use below.

How Many Tablespoons in a Cup?

There are sixteen tablespoons in a cup. However, the amount might vary greatly depending on the measurement type and the cup size you are using.

Imperial cup, International metric, the UK metric, and the USA metric are the four different systems of measurements used around the world. Furthermore, the customary and legal cups are another two cup sizes used in the United States. Therefore, it varies on which cup you are using before converting to tablespoons.

Well, the customary one has become the standard measurement for typical American foods such as bread and pies, and a customary cup equals 16 US tbsp. On the other hand, one cup equals 16.24 US tbsp in the legal cup, which is primarily used by food and drug regulators and products manufacturers to identify their nutrition information.

However, the imperial tbsp is a particularly essential measurement in the United Kingdom since practically all meals are based on traditional British recipes. Rather than the customary 16 tablespoons each cup, the imperial tbsp in the United Kingdom is about 13 tbsp per cup.

Since Canada is the neighbor country of the United States, they have a tight commercial tie in terms of liquid and dry component exports and imports. So, the country converted from 16.2 tbsp per cup to the normal 16 tbsp each cup used in the United States.

Australia has unique circumstances in that this is the only nation that still employs the 15mL tbsp measurement. According to this calculation, one cup equals 13 tbsp in Australia. A South African cup, however, equals 16.91 tbsp.

As I have already mentioned, 16 tbsp per cup is the internationally recognized cup measurement. So, keeping that in mind let’s take a look at a few other conversions to make your job a little easier and quicker:

Are the Unit Measurements for Tbsp. and Cups the Same around the World?

Unfortunately, the measurement spoons and cups used in the USA are not the same as those used in some other nations. It can cause complications if you are following a recipe of a country with another country’s measuring cups and spoons.

Well, generally, a United States cup is 240 milliliters, while a United Kingdom cup is 250 milliliters. So, if the recipe is authored in the United States, use the US cup. On the other hand, recipes prepared in Europe, as well as the rest of the world, are likely to utilize measurements of a UK cup.

The following table shows different cup sizes:

Different-sized cups might not be an issue in several cooking recipes. Ingredients such as onions, garlic, carrots, and mushrooms that you measure in cups would not affect the overall taste of your meal if you use a bit less or more of them. However, baking recipes, especially those involving the measurement of flour, will necessitate precision.

Furthermore, the measurement of tablespoons also differs around the world. For instance, one tbsp equals 14.7ml in the USA, a tbsp equals 15 milliliters in the UK, and a tbsp is 20 ml, which equals ¼ cup in Australia.

How to Use Measuring Spoons and Cups

Many recipes necessitate the use of measuring spoons and cups so that accurate proportions of different ingredients can be included. So, now let’s discuss how to use measuring spoons and cups for your convenience:

Measuring with Spoons:

1. Know the Differences between Teaspoons & Tablespoons Abbreviations

To make the information faster and simpler to read, most recipes use abbreviated measurements. The abbreviations, however, can be puzzling unless you are familiar with them. So, if you are unsure about a measurement, look up the abbreviation’s definition online.

The below table shows the differences between teaspoons and tablespoons abbreviations:

2.  Determine the Difference between a Scant, Heaped, and Rounded Spoon

Some recipes mention specifically whether you have to take a scant spoon, heaped spoon, or a rounded spoon of any item. So, while measuring with a spoon, it is a must to know the distinctions among these. So, let's take a look at the differences:

• Heaped Spoon: Piling the maximum items possible on the spoon.
• Rounded Spoon: Making a round hump with the items at the spoon’s top.
• Scant Spoon: Filling a little below the spoon’s brim.

However, keep in mind that the above measurements are normally used for dry items only. For liquid measurements, a level or flat spoon is used.

3. If Required, Use a Variety of Spoons

1 tsp, ½ tsp, ¼ tsp, ¾ tsp, and 1 tbsp are included in most measurement spoon sets. For example, if your recipe calls for 1 ¼ teaspoon, start with 1 tsp and then add another ¼ tsp into your bowl.

Measuring with Cups:

1. Measure Dry Products with Dry Cups & Liquids with Wet Cups

Dry cups are meant to be loaded to the maximum. However, wet measuring cups have a measurement line underneath the cup’s top. When the liquids are moved to a bowl, this keeps them from overflowing over the side of the cup. When you are not sure whether you have a wet or dry cup, look for a label at the cup’s bottom.

Well, while measuring liquids, you will have to put your cup on a level surface to guarantee an exact measurement. Also, remember cups are written on recipes as “C”. And, most of the measurement cup sets include 1 C, ½ C, ⅓ C, and ¼ C.

2. If a Recipe Calls for a Packed Cup, Press Your ingredients Down

Sometimes a few recipes specifically mention adding a packed cup. In these cases, you will have to press the dry products down into your cup with a spoon’s back. Then, fill the cup with more dry products and push them again. Repeat this technique till your cup can no longer carry any further dry products. Generally, people measure brown sugar in this way.

3. For a Regular or Level Cup, Scrape a Knife over Your Cup’s Top

If a level cup or standard cup is specified in the recipe, dry items that sit over the cup must be swept away. Keep the cup above the container of dry goods, allowing any surplus to fall into it.

5 Different Measuring Equipment

There are various sorts of measuring equipment that you can use to accurately measure ingredients. A few measuring types of equipment are dry measurement cups, liquid measurement cups, measuring spoons, portioning scoops, scales, and so on.

The following are some of the most common measuring equipment:

1. Dry Measurement Cups

These cups feature a slide bar, which you can modify to measure various amounts. Dry ingredients like sugar, flour, rice, and oats, as well as solid ingredients like peanut butter, are measured using adjustable and graduated measuring cups.

One sort of adjustable cup has a sliding bar that you can move up and down, allowing it to measure varying amounts. And, the single measurement cups come in a set containing different-sized cups.

2. Liquid Measurement Cups

Liquid measurement cups are generally clear plastic or glass containers that have a handle or pour spout. These come in a variety of sizes, all with graded measurements on the sides. There are also angled measurement cups that are intended to produce clearly observable levels. Thus, one can easily examine the measurement by looking down or at the cup’s side.

3. Measuring Spoons

There are usually at least four metal or plastic spoons in a set. Tiny amounts of liquid and dry materials are measured with these measuring spoons. Having two different sets of these spoons would be beneficial so that you can use one for dry components and the other for liquids.

It will eliminate the need to clean and dry the spoons after each use with liquid substances and before each use with dry items. In a set, you will normally get a 1 tbsp, 1 tsp, ½ tsp, and ¼ tsp. However, in some sets, ½ tbsp and ¾ tsp are available too.

Moreover, you can also find adjustable measuring spoons in the market. These spoons are an extended slotted box, which has a stopper and a slide bar that allows you to manage the precise quantity of measurement you want.

4. Portioning Scoops

Portioning scoops are portioning, shaping, and measuring tools that come in mechanical, as well as non-mechanical varieties. Professional chefs frequently utilize such measurement scoops. They come in a variety of sizes, each of which is labeled per its volume. The lower the volume, the greater the number.

For creating meals like meatballs, muffins, cookies, the scoops come in useful for measuring out even servings. Well, a number 16 is appropriate for a medium-sized cookie, whereas a number 30 or 24 is appropriate for a little cookie. Besides, you can use the number 16 to make meatballs, whereas a number 6 would be perfect to portion meat for a burger patty.

5. Scales

To weigh ingredients, people generally use spring or balance scales. However, spring scales might not be as precise as balance scales. Using scales rather than estimating by volume would give you a more precise ingredient measurement. Both digital and manual scales are available in the market.

A Few Essential Measuring Tips & Tricks

Although you use different measuring equipment, you will have to keep in mind a few things to get the exact measurement. Here are a few essential tips and tricks for measuring your ingredients:

Don’t measure over other ingredients

Don’t ever measure ingredients over the mixing bowl that has the rest of the ingredients in it. You might drop the measurement tool or overpour your ingredients, resulting in surplus ingredients falling into your mixture.

Based on the component and the amount spilled, it might even destroy the entire batch. So, I would recommend you measure over another bowl, a sink, or wax paper.

First, measure your dry ingredients

Unless you have two distinct measurement spoons or cups set for liquid and dry components, start by measuring dry ingredients. Once you are done with all the dry items, use the measurement spoons and cups for liquid ingredients.

Learn how to estimate minor ingredient proportions

To save your time while cooking, try to predict small ingredient quantities. In your palm, put the known quantity of an ingredient and examine the quantity’s feel and look. Now, attempt to pour the exact amount using your prediction.

After some practice, you will be capable of measuring the components by sight and feel. This will drastically cut down on your culinary preparation time. However, for baking ingredients measurement, do not use this method. It is because you must measure all components precisely while baking.

Nothing is more frustrating than suddenly realizing you don’t have a certain measuring tool that is mentioned in the recipe. But as you now know how many tablespoons in a cup, you can easily make your dish without using a cup. I have also given you some tips to help you in measuring your ingredients easily and properly.

Thanks for reading through. Hopefully, you’ve found this article helpful. Good luck!

Other easy-to-use conversion calculators and conversion tables.

You can find the recipe for this post below.

How Many Tablespoons in a Cup (Free Calculator) In 2023

People who enjoy cooking no doubt love to try out new recipes now and then. However, some recipes specifically mention adding some ingredients in cup measurement. So, if you don’t have a measuring cup in your house, you might wonder how many tablespoons in a cup. You will get your answer in the article.

Recipe Ingredients:

Editor's Rating:
5