Tablespoons to cups formula & quick math shortcut
In US Customary and UK/Imperial measurement systems, 1 cup contains exactly 16 tablespoons.
Cups = Tablespoons ÷ 16 Example: 8 tbsp ÷ 16 = 0.5 cups (1/2 cup) Tricky recipe fraction shortcuts
Some baking fractions don't divide cleanly into whole tablespoons without teaspoons:
- 1/3 Cup: 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon (or 5.33 tbsp)
- 2/3 Cup: 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons (or 10.67 tbsp)
- 3/8 Cup: 6 tablespoons (0.375 cups)
- 5/8 Cup: 10 tablespoons (0.625 cups)
Kitchen reference & stick butter conversion chart
Standard US sticks of butter are pre-marked in tablespoons and cup fractions. Use this reference table for fast kitchen prep:
| Tablespoons (tbsp) | Cup Fraction | Decimal Cups | Butter & Recipe Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 tbsp | 1/8 cup | 0.125 cups | 1 fl oz / 1/4 stick of butter |
| 4 tbsp | 1/4 cup | 0.250 cups | 2 fl oz / 1/2 stick of butter |
| 5 tbsp + 1 tsp | 1/3 cup | 0.333 cups | Standard recipe 1/3 cup fraction |
| 6 tbsp | 3/8 cup | 0.375 cups | 3/4 stick of butter |
| 8 tbsp | 1/2 cup | 0.500 cups | 4 fl oz / 1 full stick of butter |
| 10 tbsp + 2 tsp | 2/3 cup | 0.667 cups | 2/3 cup baking baseline |
| 12 tbsp | 3/4 cup | 0.750 cups | 6 fl oz / 1.5 sticks of butter |
| 16 tbsp | 1 cup | 1.000 cup | 8 fl oz / 2 full sticks of butter |
Important global tablespoon variations (US vs. UK vs. AU)
While the 16 tbsp = 1 cup ratio applies in North America and the UK, regional cup and tablespoon volumes differ:
- US Customary: 1 tbsp = 14.79 mL (16 tbsp per 236.59 mL cup).
- UK / Imperial: 1 tbsp = 17.76 mL (16 tbsp per 284.13 mL Imperial cup).
- Australian Metric: Australia uses a unique 20 mL tablespoon (4 teaspoons per tbsp), meaning 1 Metric Cup (250 mL) equals 12.5 Australian tablespoons.
Converting liquid volumes directly to metric? Check our Oz to mL Converter or check our full Cooking Converter.
Frequently asked questions
How many tablespoons are in 1 cup?
There are exactly 16 tablespoons in 1 standard US customary cup.
How many tablespoons is 1/3 cup?
1/3 cup is equal to 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (or approximately 5.33 tablespoons).
How many tablespoons is 1 stick of butter?
One standard US stick of butter equals 8 tablespoons, which is 1/2 cup (4 oz or 113.4 grams).
What is 6 tablespoons in cups?
6 tablespoons is equal to 0.375 cups, or 3/8 of a cup.