Tablespoons to cups formula & quick math shortcut
In US customary cooking measurements, 1 cup equals exactly 16 tablespoons.
Cups = Tablespoons ÷ 16 Example: 8 tbsp ÷ 16 = 0.5 cups (1/2 cup) Tricky recipe fraction shortcuts
Some baking fractions don't divide cleanly into whole tablespoons without teaspoons:
- 1/3 Cup: 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon (or 5.33 tbsp)
- 2/3 Cup: 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons (or 10.67 tbsp)
- 3/8 Cup: 6 tablespoons (0.375 cups)
- 5/8 Cup: 10 tablespoons (0.625 cups)
Kitchen reference & stick butter conversion chart
Standard US sticks of butter are commonly marked in tablespoon measurements. Use this reference table for fast kitchen prep:
| Tablespoons (tbsp) | Cup Fraction | Decimal Cups | US Fluid Ounces / Butter Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 tbsp | 1/8 cup | 0.125 cups | 1 fl oz / 1/4 stick butter |
| 4 tbsp | 1/4 cup | 0.250 cups | 2 fl oz / 1/2 stick butter |
| 5 tbsp + 1 tsp | 1/3 cup | 0.333 cups | 2.67 fl oz |
| 6 tbsp | 3/8 cup | 0.375 cups | 3/4 stick butter |
| 8 tbsp | 1/2 cup | 0.500 cups | 4 fl oz / 1 stick butter |
| 10 tbsp + 2 tsp | 2/3 cup | 0.667 cups | 5.33 fl oz |
| 12 tbsp | 3/4 cup | 0.750 cups | 6 fl oz / 1.5 sticks butter |
| 16 tbsp | 1 cup | 1.000 cup | 8 fl oz / 2 sticks butter |
US, Imperial, and Australian tablespoon measurements
Tablespoon and cup sizes can vary by measurement system, so recipes should be interpreted using the measurement system they specify.
- US Customary: 1 US tablespoon is approximately 14.79 mL, and 1 US customary cup equals 16 US tablespoons.
- Imperial: 1 Imperial tablespoon is approximately 17.76 mL, and 1 Imperial cup equals 16 Imperial tablespoons.
- Australian Metric: 1 Australian tablespoon is 20 mL. A 250 mL Australian metric cup therefore equals 12.5 Australian tablespoons.
Modern UK recipes generally use metric measurements, although older recipes may refer to Imperial units. Do not assume that a cup or tablespoon has the same volume across different measurement systems.
Frequently asked questions
How many tablespoons are in 1 cup?
There are exactly 16 tablespoons in 1 US customary cup. An Imperial cup also contains 16 Imperial tablespoons, but the two systems use different cup and tablespoon volumes.
How many tablespoons is 1/3 cup?
1/3 cup is equal to 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (or approximately 5.33 tablespoons).
How many tablespoons is 1 stick of butter?
One standard US stick of butter equals 8 tablespoons, or 1/2 cup.
What is 6 tablespoons in cups?
6 tablespoons is equal to 0.375 cups, or 3/8 of a cup.