Whether you’re following a recipe written in US measurements or need to quickly work out how many tablespoons are in a cup, our free cooking measurement converter does the maths for you.

Enter your amount, choose the measurement you’re starting with, and select the unit you need. It’s a quick way to switch between cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, fluid ounces, milliliters and liters while cooking.

Quick Cooking Conversion Guide

• 1 US cup — approximately 236.59 ml
• 1 US cup — 16 tablespoons
• 1 US cup — 48 teaspoons
• 1 US cup — 8 US fluid ounces
• 1 tablespoon — 3 teaspoons
• 1 US fluid ounce — approximately 29.57 ml
• 1 metric cup — 250 ml
• 1 liter — 1,000 ml

Understanding Cooking Measurements

Recipes don't always use the same system of measurement. You might find a dinner recipe written in cups and tablespoons, while another gives liquid ingredients in milliliters.

Instead of trying to calculate the conversion while you're halfway through cooking, use the converter above to switch between common kitchen measurements.

It's particularly handy when you're adapting recipes from different countries, changing portion sizes, or preparing several meals at once.

What's the Difference Between a US Cup and a Metric Cup?

One detail that's easy to overlook is that a US cup and a metric cup aren't exactly the same size.

A US cup measures approximately 236.59 ml, while a metric cup measures 250 ml.

For a recipe that only calls for a small quantity, the difference may not matter much. However, when you're scaling a recipe or using several cups of liquid, those small differences can add up.

That's why our calculator lets you choose between US cup and metric cup rather than treating them as the same measurement.

How Many Tablespoons Are in a Cup?

There are 16 tablespoons in one US cup.

That also means:

½ cup = 8 tablespoons
¼ cup = 4 tablespoons
⅛ cup = 2 tablespoons

These conversions can be particularly useful when you're reducing a recipe or don't have the measuring cup you need.

How Many Teaspoons Are in a Tablespoon?

One tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons.

Because one US cup contains 16 tablespoons, it also contains 48 teaspoons.

For very small quantities, measuring spoons are generally easier and more accurate than trying to estimate part of a cup.

Fluid Ounces vs Ounces: What's the Difference?

Although they sound similar, fluid ounces and ounces measure different things.

A fluid ounce measures volume.

An ounce (oz) measures weight.

This means you shouldn't automatically convert fluid ounces into ounces by weight. How much an ingredient weighs depends on what the ingredient actually is.

For example, a given volume of flour doesn't weigh the same as the same volume of honey.

That's also why we've kept this calculator specifically for volume measurements.

Can I Convert Cups to Grams?

You can, but the conversion must take the ingredient into account.

Cups measure volume, whereas grams measure weight. Different ingredients have different densities, so there isn't one accurate formula that converts every cup measurement into grams.

For example, one cup of:

flour ≠ sugar ≠ butter ≠ oats

in grams.

Need a weight measurement instead? Use our Ingredient Cups to Grams Converter to convert common ingredients such as flour, sugar, butter and oats by weight.

Tips for More Accurate Recipe Measurements

When a recipe needs precision, particularly for baking, measure ingredients carefully rather than estimating.

For liquid ingredients, place the measuring jug on a flat surface and check the measurement at eye level. For tablespoons and teaspoons, level the ingredient unless the recipe specifically calls for a heaped spoonful.

When a recipe provides measurements by weight, a digital kitchen scale will generally give you the most consistent result.

For everyday meals, soups, sauces and many savory dishes, volume measurements are often perfectly convenient.

Working with a recipe that uses weight measurements? Our Grams to Cups Converter makes it easy to convert common cooking and baking ingredients between grams and US cups.

Ready to Find Your Next Meal?

Now that your measurements are covered, explore more easy recipes and meal ideas from QuickMealsFinder.

Quick & Easy Dinners

Find simple and satisfying dinner ideas that are perfect for busy days and weeknight meals.

Browse Easy Dinners

Budget Friendly Meals

Discover affordable meal ideas that make everyday ingredients go further without sacrificing flavor.

Explore Budget Meals

Leftover Recipe Ideas

Turn leftover ingredients into delicious new meals with easy recipes for chicken, ham, rice, pasta, and more.

Browse Leftover Recipes