Tablespoons to Cups Converter
Convert tablespoons into cup fractions cleanly.
Interactive Tablespoons to Cups Calculator
Convert recipe tablespoons into cup fractions cleanly. 16 tablespoons make 1 full US cup.
Equivalent Across All 5 Cup Standards
Cup volumes vary worldwide by regionUnderstanding Tablespoons to Cups Conversion
Converting tablespoons to cups is one of the most common baking tasks. Recipes often list 4, 8, or 12 tablespoons, which are simply standard cup fractions:
- 2 tablespoons = 1/8 cup (1 fluid ounce / 30 mL)
- 4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup (2 fluid ounces / 60 mL)
- 5 1/3 tablespoons = 1/3 cup (5 tbsp + 1 tsp)
- 8 tablespoons = 1/2 cup (1 stick of butter / 4 fluid ounces / 120 mL)
- 10 2/3 tablespoons = 2/3 cup (10 tbsp + 2 tsp)
- 12 tablespoons = 3/4 cup (6 fluid ounces / 180 mL)
- 16 tablespoons = 1 cup (8 fluid ounces / 240 mL)
How to Convert Tablespoons to Cups: Formula & Calculation
Cups = Tablespoons ÷ 16 - Divide by 16: Take the number of tablespoons called for in your recipe and divide by 16.
- Convert to simple fractions: For example, 8 ÷ 16 = 0.5 (1/2 cup); 4 ÷ 16 = 0.25 (1/4 cup); 12 ÷ 16 = 0.75 (3/4 cup).
- For uneven numbers: If a recipe calls for 6 tablespoons, note that 4 tbsp = 1/4 cup, leaving 2 tablespoons extra (1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons, or 3/8 cup).
Worked Culinary Examples
Example 1: Measuring Peanut Butter for Cookies
A recipe calls for 6 tablespoons of smooth peanut butter.
- Formula: 6 tablespoons ÷ 16 = 0.375 cups.
- Fractional breakdown: 0.375 = 3/8 cup (or 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons).
Example 2: Melting Butter for Brownies
Your recipe needs 10 tablespoons of melted butter.
- Formula: 10 tablespoons ÷ 16 = 0.625 cups.
- Equivalent: 0.625 cups = 5/8 cup (or 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons).
- Stick count: 1 stick (8 tbsp) + 2 extra tablespoons = 1 1/4 sticks.
Quick Reference Conversion Table: Tablespoons to Cups
| Tablespoons (tbsp) | US Customary Cups | Fractional Cup | Fluid Ounces (fl oz) | Milliliters (mL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tbsp | 0.063 cup | 0.06 cup | 0.5 fl oz | 14.8 mL |
| 2 tbsp | 0.125 cup | 1/8 cup | 1 fl oz | 29.6 mL |
| 3 tbsp | 0.188 cup | 1/6 cup | 1.5 fl oz | 44.4 mL |
| 4 tbsp | 0.25 cup | 1/4 cup | 2 fl oz | 59.1 mL |
| 5 tbsp | 0.313 cup | 1/3 cup | 2.5 fl oz | 73.9 mL |
| 6 tbsp | 0.375 cup | 3/8 cup | 3 fl oz | 88.7 mL |
| 8 tbsp | 0.5 cup | 1/2 cup | 4 fl oz | 118.3 mL |
| 10 tbsp | 0.625 cup | 5/8 cup | 5 fl oz | 147.9 mL |
| 12 tbsp | 0.75 cup | 3/4 cup | 6 fl oz | 177.4 mL |
| 14 tbsp | 0.875 cup | 7/8 cup | 7 fl oz | 207.0 mL |
| 16 tbsp | 1 cup | 1 cup | 8 fl oz | 236.6 mL |
| 20 tbsp | 1.25 cup | 1 1/4 cup | 10 fl oz | 295.7 mL |
| 24 tbsp | 1.5 cup | 1 1/2 cup | 12 fl oz | 354.9 mL |
| 32 tbsp | 2 cup | 2 cup | 16 fl oz | 473.2 mL |
Important Culinary Measuring Notes
Metric Cups in Commonwealth Countries
In the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, a standard metric cup is 250 mL. 16 US tablespoons make 236.6 mL (1 US cup), which is slightly smaller than a full 250 mL metric cup (16.9 tbsp).
Australian 20 mL Tablespoon Exception
Australian cookbooks use a 20 mL tablespoon (4 teaspoons). If using Australian spoons, 8 tablespoons = 160 mL, not 118 mL.
Leveling Dry Ingredients
When scooping dry goods like flour, cocoa, or baking powder, use the back of a knife to sweep the top flat. Rounded or heaping tablespoons significantly distort your bake.
Sticky Liquids (Honey, Molasses, Syrup)
Lightly spray your measuring spoon or cup with neutral cooking oil before measuring sticky liquids so they slide out completely.