1 US tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons. The ratio is exact and defined by the US customary measurement system — there is no rounding involved. Whether you are scaling a recipe down or substituting a measuring spoon, the conversion is always 1 tbsp = 3 tsp.
The formula
tsp = tbsp × 3
To convert back from teaspoons to tablespoons, divide by 3:
tbsp = tsp ÷ 3
Practical examples
Example 1 — Halving a recipe
A cookie recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, but you are making a half batch.
½ × 3 = 1½ teaspoons
Example 2 — You only have a teaspoon measure
A marinade calls for 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and your tablespoon is dirty.
2 × 3 = 6 teaspoons
Fill your teaspoon 6 times.
Example 3 — A spice blend calls for teaspoons
A dry rub recipe uses 9 teaspoons of smoked paprika. You want to know how many tablespoons to measure out.
9 ÷ 3 = 3 tablespoons
Common mistakes
Mistake 1 — Confusing tablespoon and teaspoon abbreviations
The abbreviations look similar: tbsp (or T) for tablespoon, tsp (or t) for teaspoon. In a recipe, mixing them up means using three times too much or too little of an ingredient — a critical error with salt, baking soda, or spices.
Mistake 2 — Using a heaping measure
The 3:1 ratio assumes level measures. A heaping tablespoon can hold significantly more than 14.787 ml, especially with spices or powders that mound easily. For baking, always level off the measure with a straight edge.
Mistake 3 — Assuming metric tablespoons are the same
A US tablespoon is 14.787 ml; a metric tablespoon (used in Australia and the UK) is 15 ml. The 3:1 ratio holds in both systems, but the volumes differ slightly. If a recipe specifies metric tablespoons, the teaspoon equivalent is 5 ml per teaspoon rather than 4.929 ml.
Quick reference: tablespoons to teaspoons
| Tablespoons | Teaspoons |
|---|---|
| ¼ | ¾ |
| ½ | 1½ |
| ¾ | 2¼ |
| 1 | 3 |
| 1½ | 4½ |
| 2 | 6 |
| 3 | 9 |
| 4 | 12 |
| 5 | 15 |
| 6 (⅜ cup) | 18 |
| 8 (½ cup) | 24 |
| 16 (1 cup) | 48 |
How tablespoon and teaspoon fit into the larger system
US measuring spoons follow a consistent hierarchy:
- 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons
- 1 tablespoon = ½ fluid ounce (29.574 ml ÷ 2)
- 16 tablespoons = 1 US cup (236.588 ml)
- 48 teaspoons = 1 US cup
This means if you need to convert a tablespoon measurement to cups, divide by 16. And if you have teaspoons and need cups, divide by 48.
For a single-page overview of all common cooking conversions — including cup-to-ml, oven temperatures, butter equivalents, and ingredient gram weights — see the Complete Cooking Conversion Chart →.