Cooking
Cups, tbsp, tsp, ml
About This Calculator
Cooking measurements use a mix of volume units — cups, tablespoons (tbsp), teaspoons (tsp), fluid ounces, and milliliters — that vary slightly between US, UK, and metric systems. Converting between them is essential for scaling recipes, adapting international recipes, and measuring ingredients precisely for baking, where accuracy matters most.
Formula
1 US cup = 240 ml = 16 tbsp = 48 tsp = 8 fl oz
1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 15 ml = 3 tsp
1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 ml
1 UK cup = 284 ml; 1 metric cup = 250 ml
Example Calculation
A recipe calls for 3/4 cup of milk — how many ml and tablespoons is that?
- ml = 0.75 × 240 = 180 ml
- tbsp = 0.75 × 16 = 12 tablespoons
3/4 cup = 180 ml = 12 tablespoons
Cooking Measurement Conversions
| Measure | tsp | tbsp | fl oz | ml | cups |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | 1 | ⅓ | ⅙ | 5 | 1/48 |
| 1 tablespoon | 3 | 1 | ½ | 15 | 1/16 |
| 2 tablespoons | 6 | 2 | 1 | 30 | 1/8 |
| ¼ cup | 12 | 4 | 2 | 60 | ¼ |
| ½ cup | 24 | 8 | 4 | 120 | ½ |
| 1 cup | 48 | 16 | 8 | 240 | 1 |
| 1 pint | 96 | 32 | 16 | 480 | 2 |
| 1 quart | 192 | 64 | 32 | 960 | 4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a US cup and a metric cup?
A US cup is 240 ml. A metric cup (used in Australia, Canada, and some other countries) is 250 ml. A UK cup is 284 ml (based on imperial measurement). For baking recipes, this difference (up to 18%) can matter. Check which cup the recipe uses.
How do I measure dry ingredients accurately?
Spoon dry ingredients into the measuring cup and level off with a straight edge. Scooping the cup directly into flour compacts it and can add 10-30% more. For precision baking, use a kitchen scale in grams — weight is unambiguous while volume varies with packing.
What does 'a pinch' or 'a dash' mean?
These are informal measures: a pinch ≈ 1/16 teaspoon (what you can pinch between thumb and forefinger); a dash ≈ 1/8 teaspoon; a smidgen ≈ 1/32 teaspoon. These are used for salt, spices, and seasonings where exact amounts are less critical.
How do I convert a recipe from cups to grams?
There is no universal conversion — it depends entirely on the ingredient's density. 1 cup of water = 240 g; 1 cup of flour = 120-130 g; 1 cup of sugar = 200 g; 1 cup of butter = 227 g. Use a cooking ingredient weight chart for accurate conversions.