The tablespoon (US) is a unit of volume used in the US customary system. It's commonly abbreviated as tbsp, T, or tbs, and it plays a central role in measuring both liquid and dry ingredients in American recipes. By definition, one US tablespoon equals 14.7868 milliliters, making it exactly three times the size of a US teaspoon.
This unit is a standard part of measuring spoon sets found in nearly every American kitchen. It's used for ingredients that require more than a teaspoon but less than a full cup—like oil, syrup, peanut butter, or baking powder. Whether you're preparing a sauce, salad dressing, or baked goods, the tablespoon offers an ideal balance between precision and practicality.
Uses: The tablespoon is one of the most commonly used measurements in American kitchens. You’ll find it in countless recipes—from marinades and sauces to pancake batter and salad dressings. In baking, it plays a critical role, where just a small difference in the amount of butter, oil, or leavening agent can change the texture or taste of the final dish. The tablespoon is also used in meal prep, portion control, and nutritional labeling, helping consumers track ingredients like sugar, oils, or dressings in a standardized way.
Beyond the kitchen, the U.S. tablespoon occasionally appears in medical or pharmaceutical contexts to measure over-the-counter liquid medications, though healthcare professionals typically recommend using milliliters for precision. Still, the tablespoon remains a familiar and convenient reference point for many households.
A cubic inch is a unit of volume used in the imperial and U.S. customary systems. It represents the space occupied by a cube, with each side measuring exactly one inch. One cubic inch is equal to 16.387 milliliters or approximately 0.0005787 cubic feet, and it's abbreviated as in³.
The cubic inch is often used to measure smaller volumes in areas like automotive design, mechanical components, and product manufacturing. It’s a go-to unit for things like engine size, compact storage, and custom parts where detailed, space-specific measurements are needed.
Uses: The cubic inch is most widely recognized in the automotive world, where it's often used to express engine size—especially in classic American vehicles. It's also used in engineering and manufacturing for parts design, packaging, and product specifications where precision is important.
In everyday use, you might see cubic inches listed when measuring the internal dimensions of a drawer, estimating the volume of a small box, or comparing product capacities. It remains a trusted unit for capturing volume in tight spaces where accuracy matters.
1 tbsp = 0.902344 in³
Let’s say you want to convert 100 tbsp to in³.
Using the formula:
100 × 0.902344 = 90.234 in³
So, 100 tbsp is approximately 90.234 in³.
| Tablespoon (US) (tbsp) | Cubic inch (in³) |
|---|---|
| 1 tbsp | 0.902 in³ |
| 2 tbsp | 1.805 in³ |
| 3 tbsp | 2.707 in³ |
| 4 tbsp | 3.609 in³ |
| 5 tbsp | 4.512 in³ |
| 6 tbsp | 5.414 in³ |
| 7 tbsp | 6.316 in³ |
| 8 tbsp | 7.219 in³ |
| 9 tbsp | 8.121 in³ |
| 10 tbsp | 9.023 in³ |
| 11 tbsp | 9.926 in³ |
| 12 tbsp | 10.828 in³ |
| 13 tbsp | 11.73 in³ |
| 14 tbsp | 12.633 in³ |
| 15 tbsp | 13.535 in³ |