Cups to Tablespoons Converter
Enter the volume in cups below to convert it to tablespoons.
Convert Cups (US) to Tablespoons (US)
Enter a value in cups (us) (cup) to convert to tablespoons (us) (tbsp).
Cup to Tablespoon Conversion Table
Table showing various cup measurements converted to tablespoons. Click any preset value or arrow to load it into the converter.
How to Convert Cups to Tablespoons
To convert cups to tablespoons, multiply the volume by the following conversion ratio: 16 tablespoons/cup.
Since one cup is equal to 16 tablespoons, you can use this simple formula to convert:
The volume in tablespoons is equal to the volume in cups multiplied by 16.
For example, here's how to convert 0.5 cups to tablespoons using the formula above.
How Many Tablespoons Are in a Cup?
There are 16 tablespoons in a cup, which is why we use this value in the formula above.
Our cup to tablespoon calculator automatically converts your volume measurements with full decimal and scientific precision across US customary, imperial, and SI metric standards.
Cups and tablespoons are both units used to measure volume. Keep reading to learn more about each unit.
What Is a Cup?
A cup is a unit of volume equal to 0.2365882 liters (L), the base unit for volume. Equal to 8 US fluid ounces or 16 US tablespoons (236.59 mL). [1]
The cup is classified as a US customary unit of volume. Cups can be abbreviated as cup; for example, 1 cup can be written as 1 cup.
When working with cups (cup) in formulas or technical specifications, always verify whether your target system uses SI metric, US customary, or British imperial standards.
In practice, cups (cup) are widely used across standard volume applications within US customary workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.
What Is a Tablespoon?
A tablespoon is a unit of volume equal to 0.0147868 liters (L), the base unit for volume. 1/2 US fluid ounce or 3 US teaspoons (14.7868 mL). [2]
The tablespoon is classified as a US customary unit of volume. Tablespoons can be abbreviated as tbsp; for example, 1 tablespoon can be written as 1 tbsp.
When working with tablespoons (tbsp) in formulas or technical specifications, always verify whether your target system uses SI metric, US customary, or British imperial standards.
In practice, tablespoons (tbsp) are widely used across standard volume applications within US customary workflows, engineering documentation, and technical data sheets.
When converting volume between cups (cup) and tablespoons (tbsp), keep full floating-point precision (1 cup = 16 tbsp; 1 tbsp = 0.0625 cup) during intermediate calculations and round only the final tablespoon figure to match your instrument tolerance.
More Cup & Tablespoon Conversions
Need to calculate in the opposite direction? Use our tablespoons (us) to cups (us) converter (tbsp to cup) to switch your starting unit immediately. You can also explore related tools such as converting milliliters to tablespoons (us), converting teaspoons (us) to tablespoons (us), or converting cups (us) to liters.
Convert from Cups
Weight and volume require ingredient density (g/mL). Choose a USDA FoodData Central verified ingredient below:
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- [1]NIST OWM StandardNIST OWM (SI Units — Volume)·Volume & Liquid Metrology Standard — Cups (US) (cup) to Tablespoons (US) (tbsp)
- [2]NIST HB 44 SpecificationNIST HB 44 (Liquid & Dry Capacity Tables)·Unit Specifications: Cup (US Customary) (cup) & Tablespoon (US) (tbsp)
- [3]NIST SP 811 ReferenceNIST SP 811 (NIST SP 811 App. B.9)·Conversion Factors & Mathematical Basis (cup to tbsp)