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 fluid ounce (US) is a unit of volume used to measure liquids in the U.S. customary system. It's abbreviated as fl oz and is commonly seen in cooking, nutrition labeling, and liquid packaging. One US fluid ounce is defined as 1/128 of a US gallon, which equals exactly 29.5735 milliliters.
Despite the term "ounce" also being used for weight, a fluid ounce specifically measures liquid volume. It's important to distinguish the two, especially in recipes or products where both liquid and solid measurements appear. The US fluid ounce is a standard unit across many industries, from beverages and sauces to cleaning products and personal care items,
Uses: The fluid ounce is widely used in everyday life throughout the United States. In the kitchen, it shows up in recipes for measuring water, milk, oil, and other liquids. You'll also find it on nutrition labels, drink containers, and liquid medicine bottles. Most bottled drinks sold in the U.S., from soda cans to sports drinks, are labeled in fluid ounces.
Outside the kitchen, fluid ounces are also used to measure everyday products like shampoo, lotion, and household cleaners. Packaging labels often list fluid ounces to help shoppers gauge how much liquid is inside each bottle. In pharmacies, you may still see fluid ounces on medication packaging, though many prescriptions now use milliliters for greater accuracy and consistency.
1 tbsp = 0.500002 fl oz
Let’s say you want to convert 100 tbsp to fl oz.
Using the formula:
100 × 0.500002 = 50 fl oz
So, 100 tbsp is approximately 50 fl oz.
| Tablespoon (US) (tbsp) | Fluid Ounce (US) (fl oz) |
|---|---|
| 1 tbsp | 0.5 fl oz |
| 2 tbsp | 1 fl oz |
| 3 tbsp | 1.5 fl oz |
| 4 tbsp | 2 fl oz |
| 5 tbsp | 2.5 fl oz |
| 6 tbsp | 3 fl oz |
| 7 tbsp | 3.5 fl oz |
| 8 tbsp | 4 fl oz |
| 9 tbsp | 4.5 fl oz |
| 10 tbsp | 5 fl oz |
| 11 tbsp | 5.5 fl oz |
| 12 tbsp | 6 fl oz |
| 13 tbsp | 6.5 fl oz |
| 14 tbsp | 7 fl oz |
| 15 tbsp | 7.5 fl oz |