US cups and tablespoons
The US customary cup is half a US pint: 8 US fluid ounces, exactly 236.5882365 milliliters. American recipes measure flour, sugar, milk and water in cups. US nutrition labels use a rounded legal cup of 240 mL.
The US tablespoon is half a US fluid ounce: exactly 14.78676478125 milliliters, or 3 teaspoons. Recipes use tablespoons for oil, butter, sauces and spices. Australian tablespoons are 20 mL.
Worked example
Convert 0.25 cup: 0.25 × 16 = 4, so 0.25 US cups is 4 tablespoons. Likewise 0.1 cup = 1.6 tbsp.
Estimating in your head
The factor is a short exact number, so mental math needs no rounding: multiply by 16.
Going the other way
To convert tablespoons to US cups, divide by 16 (or multiply by 0.0625). The swap button between the boxes opens that page.
How this works
tbsp = cup × 16
1 cup = 0.0002365882365 m³ and 1 tbsp = ≈ 0.00001478676478 m³, both by definition, so the factor is their ratio: 16 exactly. Results drop binary floating-point noise beyond 15 significant digits and display at the precision you choose (6 significant figures by default). Copy result copies the full value.
Frequently asked
How many tablespoons are in a US cup?
1 US cup = 16 tablespoons, exactly. The value follows from the unit definitions, so it never changes.
How do I convert US cups to tablespoons?
Multiply by 16. For example, 0.1 cup × 16 = 1.6 tbsp.
What is 0.5 cup in tablespoons?
0.5 cup = 8 tbsp. The table next to the converter lists more common values.
Is the result rounded?
Only on screen. The page computes with the exact definitions and removes floating-point noise past 15 significant digits; pick 3 to 12 significant figures, or use Copy result for the full value.
Sources
- NIST SP 811 Appendix B.8 — Factors for units listed alphabetically
- NIST Handbook 44 — Appendix C, General tables of units of measurement
- Wikipedia — United States customary units
Reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · test vectors fixtures/units/volume/cups-to-tablespoons/