Confusing tablespoons and teaspoons is one of the most common — and most disastrous — measurement mistakes in cooking. Adding 3 tablespoons of baking soda instead of 3 teaspoons produces something inedible. Here's a complete guide to keeping them straight.
The Sizes
- Teaspoon (tsp): The smaller of the two. Standard US teaspoon = 4.93ml (approximately 5ml).
- Tablespoon (tbsp): Three times larger than a teaspoon. Standard US tablespoon = 14.79ml (approximately 15ml).
1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons = approximately 15ml.
The Abbreviations
The abbreviations look similar and are easy to mix up:
| Measurement | Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Teaspoon | tsp or t |
| Tablespoon | tbsp, Tbsp, or T |
Capital T is sometimes used for tablespoon, lowercase t for teaspoon — but not all recipes follow this convention. When in doubt, look at the context of the recipe. A tablespoon of vanilla extract (15ml) sounds unusual; a teaspoon makes more sense.
Conversions
- 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons
- 4 tablespoons = ¼ cup
- 8 tablespoons = ½ cup
- 16 tablespoons = 1 cup
- 1 tablespoon = 14.79ml
- 1 teaspoon = 4.93ml
UK vs. US Teaspoons and Tablespoons
UK tablespoons are traditionally 17.75ml (larger than the US 14.79ml), but most modern UK recipes use the metric tablespoon of 15ml — same as the US. Teaspoons are 5ml in both the UK and US (metric).
When following an older British recipe, the tablespoon quantity may be slightly larger than expected.
Memory Trick
Think of it this way: a tablespoon is what you eat with at the table — it's the big spoon. A teaspoon is the small spoon you use to stir your tea.