Tablespoon to Cup Converter
Converts tablespoon to cup (tbsp to cup) and back. The conversion factor is shown below every result.
How to Convert Tablespoon to Cup
What Is a Tablespoon?
The US tablespoon (tbsp) is a US customary volume unit equal to exactly 1/2 US fluid ounce (14.78676478125 mL).
What Is a Cup?
The US cup is a US customary volume unit equal to exactly 8 US fluid ounces (236.5882365 mL), or 16 tablespoons.
Common Tablespoon to Cup Reference Points
Real-world reference values for quick sanity checks.
| Item | Tablespoon (tbsp) | Cup (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| A standard stick of butter (approx.) | 8 tbsp | 0.5 cup |
| A common sauce recipe portion | 4 tbsp | 0.25 cup |
| Reference values are illustrative approximations for common items, not measured specifications. | ||
Tablespoon to Cup Conversion Table
| Tablespoon (tbsp) | Cup (cup) |
|---|---|
| 1 tbsp | 0.0625 cup |
| 2 tbsp | 0.125 cup |
| 4 tbsp | 0.25 cup |
| 8 tbsp | 0.5 cup |
| 12 tbsp | 0.75 cup |
| 16 tbsp | 1 cup |
| 24 tbsp | 1.5 cup |
| 32 tbsp | 2 cup |
| Source: NIST SP 811, Appendix B (derived from 1 US fl oz = 29.5735295625 mL exactly) | |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert tablespoons to cups?
Multiply the tablespoon value by 0.0625 (or divide by 16). For example, 4 tbsp × 0.0625 = 0.25 cup.
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
16 US tablespoons make 1 US cup, since 1 cup = 8 fl oz and 1 tbsp = 1/2 fl oz.
Does this apply to both liquid and dry ingredients?
This conversion is a fixed volume relationship, so it holds for any ingredient measured by volume. It does not convert to weight; a tablespoon of flour and a tablespoon of honey occupy the same volume but weigh very different amounts.
Related Cooking & Baking Converters
A good measuring tool marked in both tbsp and cup removes the guesswork at the point of use.