Tablespoons to Milliliters Converter - Convert tbsp to mL Instantly
Convert US tablespoons (tbsp) to milliliters (mL) quickly and accurately with this easy-to-use volume converter. Perfect for cooking, baking, beverages, nutrition labels, and lab prep when you need precise liquid measurements.
Note: This tool converts US tablespoons (tbsp) to mL using the exact factor 14.78676478125 mL per tablespoon. For metric tablespoons (15 mL) or Australian tablespoons (20 mL), use the dedicated converters.
About Tablespoons to Milliliters Conversion
Tablespoons (tbsp) and milliliters (mL) both measure volume. The US tablespoon is commonly used in American recipes, nutrition guidance, and kitchen tools. The milliliter (mL) is the SI metric unit used globally on packaging, lab instruments, and in healthcare. Converting tablespoons to mL helps you follow international recipes, standardize product instructions, and prepare solutions with precision.
Because the US tablespoon is tied to the US cup and US fluid ounce through exact definitions, the tbsp-to-mL factor is exact: 1 US tbsp = 14.78676478125 mL. Using the exact constant keeps your documentation auditable and your results reproducible across kitchens, factories, and labs while avoiding rounding drift in chained calculations.
Tablespoons to Milliliters Formula
Use the direct factor method:
mL = tablespoons × 14.78676478125Example:
2.5 tbsp = 2.5 × 14.78676478125 = 36.96691 mL
To convert in the opposite direction:
tbsp = mL ÷ 14.78676478125.
US vs Metric vs Australian Tablespoons
Not all tablespoons are identical across regions. A US tablespoon is 14.78676478125 mL. A metric tablespoon used in many countries is 15 mL. An Australian tablespoon is 20 mL. Always verify which tablespoon your recipe or device uses and choose the appropriate converter to prevent measurement errors in baking, dosing, and beverage formulation.
Why Convert tbsp to mL?
- 🍰 Baking precision: Express spoon-based measurements in exact milliliters.
- 🥤 Beverage formulation: Standardize syrup ratios and tasting pours.
- 📦 Labeling & QA: Provide dual units for instructions and nutrition panels.
- 🧪 Lab prep: Translate procedural volumes into mL for glassware and instrumentation.
- 🍳 Home cooking: Use metric jugs and scales without guesswork.
Common Conversions
- 1 tbsp (US) = 14.78676 mL
- 2 tbsp (US) = 29.57353 mL
- 3 tbsp (US) = 44.36029 mL
- 4 tbsp (US) = 59.14706 mL
- 6 tbsp (US) = 88.72059 mL
- 8 tbsp (US) = 118.29412 mL
- 12 tbsp (US) = 177.44118 mL
- 16 tbsp (US) = 236.58824 mL (≈ 1 US cup)
What is a Tablespoon?
A tablespoon is a kitchen measure for liquid (and sometimes dry) ingredients. In the US customary system it equals 1/16 of a US cup and 3 US teaspoons. Its exact link to the cup and fluid ounce is why the conversion to mL is precise.
What is a Milliliter?
The milliliter is a metric unit equal to one-thousandth of a liter. It appears on packaging, lab glassware, and in healthcare. It pairs naturally with teaspoons (5 mL) and tablespoons (15–20 mL depending on region), and scales to liters (L) for larger volumes.
Step-by-Step: Converting tbsp to mL
- Write down your volume in US tablespoons.
- Multiply by 14.78676478125.
- Express the result in mL (milliliters).
Example walkthrough:
Input: 7.5 tbsp (US)
Multiply: 7.5 × 14.78676478125 = 110.90074
Output: 110.90074 mLPrecision, Rounding & Significant Figures
For everyday cooking, 1–2 decimals are often enough, but this tool defaults to 5 for high precision. In professional contexts (R&D, QA), match significant figures to your instruments and reporting standards to avoid rounding bias across chained calculations.
Use Cases of tbsp → mL
- 🎂 Converting US cookbook recipes to metric kitchens
- 🧃 Translating syrup and concentrate ratios for global production
- 🏷️ Creating dual-unit instructions for consumer products
- 🧫 Preparing lab solutions that start from tablespoon measures
- 🍽️ Standardizing portion sizes across international operations
Quick Reference Table
| Tablespoons (US tbsp) | Milliliters (mL) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 14.78676 |
| 2 | 29.57353 |
| 3 | 44.36029 |
| 4 | 59.14706 |
| 6 | 88.72059 |
| 8 | 118.29412 |
| 12 | 177.44118 |
| 16 | 236.58824 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you convert tablespoons to milliliters?
Use the formula: mL = tablespoons × 14.78676478125. A US tablespoon equals exactly 14.78676478125 milliliters.
How many milliliters are in 1 tablespoon?
1 US tablespoon = 14.78676478125 mL. Many home recipes round to 15 mL, but this tool uses the exact US customary definition for accuracy.
Is a US tablespoon the same as a metric or Australian tablespoon?
No. A US tablespoon is 14.78676478125 mL. A metric tablespoon (used in many countries) is 15 mL, while an Australian tablespoon is 20 mL. This page converts US tablespoons to mL.
How do I convert milliliters to tablespoons?
Invert the factor: tablespoons = mL ÷ 14.78676478125. For example, 30 mL ÷ 14.78676478125 ≈ 2.02884 tbsp (US).
Are tablespoons a measure of volume or weight?
Tablespoons (tbsp) measure volume. Weight depends on the substance’s density (for example, 1 tbsp of oil weighs less than 1 tbsp of honey).
Tips for Accurate Kitchen Measuring
- Level the spoon for liquids and fine-grained ingredients to avoid over-measuring.
- Confirm whether a recipe uses US, metric, or Australian tablespoons.
- For very small amounts, metric spoons (5 mL, 15 mL, 20 mL) provide repeatable measures.