How Many Tablespoons Are in a Cup? (16 tbsp, Explained)

How Many Tablespoons Are in a Cup?

There are 16 tablespoons (tbsp) in 1 US cup. Since there are also 48 teaspoons in a cup, this gives you two easy paths to convert almost any small measurement.

Use our cups to tablespoons converter or tablespoons to cups converter for instant results.

Cup to Tablespoon Conversion Chart

Cups	Tablespoons	Teaspoons
1/8 cup	2 tbsp	6 tsp
1/4 cup	4 tbsp	12 tsp
1/3 cup	5 tbsp + 1 tsp	16 tsp
1/2 cup	8 tbsp	24 tsp
2/3 cup	10 tbsp + 2 tsp	32 tsp
3/4 cup	12 tbsp	36 tsp
1 cup	16 tbsp	48 tsp
2 cups (1 pint)	32 tbsp	96 tsp
4 cups (1 quart)	64 tbsp	192 tsp

The Formula

• Cups to tablespoons: multiply by 16. 1/2 cup x 16 = 8 tbsp
• Tablespoons to cups: divide by 16. 12 tbsp / 16 = 3/4 cup

Worked example: You need 1/4 cup of melted butter. That is 0.25 x 16 = 4 tablespoons, or half of one standard US stick of butter (which is 8 tbsp).

Dry vs. Liquid Measuring Cups

There are two kinds of measuring cups, and both hold 16 tablespoons per cup:

• Liquid measuring cups: have a spout and are used for water, milk, oil.
• Dry measuring cups: are filled to the brim and leveled, used for flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients.

The volume is the same; the tool differs because dry ingredients need leveling and liquids need spill-proof pouring. Using the wrong one is a common cause of ruined baking.

The Butter Shortcut

In the US, butter is sold in sticks: 1 stick = 1/2 cup = 8 tablespoons. So a full cup of butter is 2 sticks (16 tablespoons). The printed marks on the wrapper are usually tablespoon marks, making butter one of the easiest ingredients to measure by weight or volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tablespoons in 1/2 cup? 8 tablespoons.

How many tablespoons in 3/4 cup? 12 tablespoons.

How many teaspoons are in a cup? 48 teaspoons (16 tablespoons x 3).

Convert any amount instantly with the cups to tablespoons converter.