Cups to Tablespoons Converter
Easily convert cups to tbsp with support for US and Imperial cups, and US and Imperial tablespoons. Calculate how much is X cups in tablespoons regardless of the type of recipe ingredient (water, flour, butter, sugar, salt, etc.) using this cups to tbsp converter.
- Cups and tablespoons in recipes
- How many tablespoons are in a cup?
- Converting between cups and tbsp
- Cups to tablespoons conversion tables
Cups and tablespoons in recipes
The cup is a defined measurement unit of volume with several possible definitions. The most commonly used definition is that of the US legal cup which is defined as containing 240 ml of volume. Pre-1970 recipes might contain measurements in Imperial cups which are slightly larger at 284 ml which is also supported in our converter.
Tablespoons also have at least two conventional definitions: the US tablespoon and the Imperial tablespoon. One (US) tablespoon is defined as containing exactly 15 milliliters, while an Imperial tablespoon is larger at 18 ml.
It is easy to convert between cups and tablespoons since both are units of volume. One can go through the milliliter definition (convert to milliliters and then back), or use the information in the section below to perform the conversion. Our cups to tbsp converter should be the choice when speed and convenience matter.
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
There are 16.231 tablespoons in a cup, if we are talking US cups and US tablespoons. In the Imperial variants of both units there are exactly 16 Imperial tablespoons in an Imperial cup. These numbers can be derived with basic math from the definitions of these units in milliliters, which is the official definition as per international treaties in the area of measurements.
Converting between cups and tbsp
The conversion from cups to tablespoons is straightforward as both measure volume.
Two cups of water to tablespoons
Sample task: convert two cups of water to tablespoons, adhering to the US definitions of both units. Solution:
Formula:
US cups * 16.231 = tbsp
Calculation:
2 US cups * 16.2310 = 32.4620 tbsp
End result:
2 US cups is equal to 32.4620 tbsp
Half a cup of flour to tablespoons
Sample task: convert half a cup of flour to tablespoons, using the UK / Imperial definitions. Solution:
Formula:
Imperial cup * 16 = tbsp
Calculation:
0.5 Imperial cup * 16 = 8 tbsp
End result:
0.5 Imperial cup is equal to 8 tbsp
There is no need to take into account the particular ingredient or to know its density. A cup of water is equal to a cup of sugar is equal to a cup of butter, salt, rice, or anything else.
Cups to tablespoons conversion tables
For your convenience, we present conversion charts for various amounts in cups and their equivalents in tbsp.
Cups to tablespoons (US) table
Often used quantities in US cups and their corresponding values in US tablespoons.
| Cups (US) | Tbsp (US) |
|---|---|
| ¼ cup | 4 tbsp |
| ⅓ cup | 5.4 tbsp |
| ½ cup | 8.1 tbsp |
| 1 cup | 16.2 tbsp |
| 2 cups | 32.5 tbsp |
Imperial Cups to Imperial tablespoons table
A kitchen conversion table with the UK variants of these volume measurement units is shown below.
| Cups (Imperial) | Tbsp (Imperial) |
|---|---|
| ¼ cup | 4 tbsp |
| ⅓ cup | 5.3 tbsp |
| ½ cup | 8 tbsp |
| 1 cup | 16 tbsp |
| 2 cups | 32 tbsp |
Cite this converter & page
If you'd like to cite this online converter resource and information as provided on the page, you can use the following citation:
Georgiev G.Z., "Cups to Tablespoons Converter", [online] Available at: https://www.gigacalculator.com/converters/convert-cups-to-tbsp.php URL [Accessed Date: 29 May, 2023].