Cooking conversions
Cups to tablespoons converter
One US cup is exactly 16 tablespoons — no ingredient density required. Enter any amount in either unit and convert instantly.
Tablespoons
16tbsp
1 cups = 16 tbsp
The cups-to-tablespoons formula
Because cups and tablespoons both measure volume, this conversion is exact: multiply cups by 16 to get tablespoons, or divide tablespoons by 16 to get cups. Three-quarters of a cup is 12 tablespoons; half a cup is 8.
Handy values
- 1 cup = 16 tbsp = 48 tsp
- ¾ cup = 12 tbsp
- ½ cup = 8 tbsp
- ⅓ cup = 5 tbsp + 1 tsp
- ¼ cup = 4 tbsp
Measuring sticky ingredients like peanut butter or honey by tablespoon is often easier than wrestling them out of a cup.
Worked example: ¾ cup to tablespoons
One US cup is exactly 16 tablespoons, so multiply ¾ × 16 = 12 tablespoons. No ingredient density is needed because both units measure volume. To go back, divide tablespoons by 16.
Frequently asked questions
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
There are exactly 16 US tablespoons in 1 US cup, and 48 teaspoons. This is a pure volume conversion, so it is the same for every ingredient.
How many tablespoons is ½ cup?
Half a cup is 8 tablespoons. One-third of a cup is 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, and one-quarter is 4 tablespoons.
Do I need to pick an ingredient?
No. Cups and tablespoons both measure volume, so the conversion is exact regardless of what you are measuring. Ingredient density only matters when weight is involved.
Is a metric cup the same as a US cup?
No. A US cup is 240 ml (16 tbsp) and a metric cup is 250 ml. This converter uses the US cup, which is standard in American recipes.
How do I measure sticky ingredients by tablespoon?
For honey, syrup or peanut butter, lightly oil the spoon so the ingredient slides out cleanly. Measure level, not heaped, unless the recipe says otherwise.
Can I convert tablespoons back to cups?
Yes. Use the swap button to flip the direction, then enter tablespoons to get cups. Divide tablespoons by 16 for the exact cup amount.
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