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.
The imperial teaspoon is a unit of volume used primarily in the United Kingdom and other countries that once followed the imperial measurement system. It's slightly smaller than the US teaspoon, with one imperial teaspoon equal to 4.7355 milliliters. This unit is abbreviated as tsp and has historically appeared in older British cookbooks and kitchenware.
While the imperial system has been largely replaced by the metric system in the UK, many traditional recipes and household items still reference the imperial teaspoon. It's part of a broader set of imperial volume measurements, including tablespoons, fluid ounces, and pints.
Uses: The imperial teaspoon was once a standard unit in British kitchens, used to measure ingredients like sugar, baking powder, and liquid extracts. Though the UK officially uses the metric system today, imperial units still appear in everyday cooking, particularly in family recipes passed down through generations.
You may also see the imperial teaspoon referenced in medication dosages or on packaging in regions that retain imperial labeling. While modern measuring tools often default to metric or US volumes, the imperial teaspoon remains relevant for those following traditional British cooking or converting older recipes accurately.
1 tbsp = 2.498028 tsp (imp)
Let’s say you want to convert 100 tbsp to tsp (imp).
Using the formula:
100 × 2.498028 = 249.803 tsp (imp)
So, 100 tbsp is approximately 249.803 tsp (imp).
| Tablespoon (US) (tbsp) | Teaspoon (Imperial) (tsp (imp)) |
|---|---|
| 1 tbsp | 2.498 tsp (imp) |
| 2 tbsp | 4.996 tsp (imp) |
| 3 tbsp | 7.494 tsp (imp) |
| 4 tbsp | 9.992 tsp (imp) |
| 5 tbsp | 12.49 tsp (imp) |
| 6 tbsp | 14.988 tsp (imp) |
| 7 tbsp | 17.486 tsp (imp) |
| 8 tbsp | 19.984 tsp (imp) |
| 9 tbsp | 22.482 tsp (imp) |
| 10 tbsp | 24.98 tsp (imp) |
| 11 tbsp | 27.478 tsp (imp) |
| 12 tbsp | 29.976 tsp (imp) |
| 13 tbsp | 32.474 tsp (imp) |
| 14 tbsp | 34.972 tsp (imp) |
| 15 tbsp | 37.47 tsp (imp) |