Cups to Tablespoons ⋆ 100 Days of Real Food

In this article, we will cover how to convert cups to tablespoons. In the world of cooking and baking, being accurate is important. 

Whether you are whipping up a family-favorite recipe or embarking on a culinary adventure, getting the measurements right can make all the difference in the final result.

One of the most common conversions home cooks come across is how to switch from cups to tablespoons. How many tablespoons are in a cup and vice versa?  Understanding this conversion will empower home cooks to create delicious dishes confidently and successfully.

What is a Cup? 

A cup is a way to measure ingredients in the kitchen. Using a measuring cup is a popular way to measure wet and dry ingredients. This is a very common mode of measuring in the United States. 

People worldwide use this method in their recipes because it is handy. Cups are easy to use, but a kitchen scale might be the better choice if you need measurements to be super exact.

Most measuring cups have lines to show the user how much is pouring in. This makes measuring ingredients very easy. Remember, using the correct cup size mentioned in a recipe is important to get things right.

What is a Tablespoon? 

A tablespoon is a metric used to measure ingredients. Not all tablespoons are the same, and it is important to know where your recipe comes from when figuring out how many tablespoons are in a cup. Here is a breakdown:

In the United States, where the Imperial system is used, 1 tablespoon equals about 14.8 milliliters or half a fluid ounce.

The metric system typically uses 15 milliliters for 1 tablespoon. However, it is worth noting that Australia does things a bit differently, where 1 tablespoon equals 20 milliliters. Keep that in mind when trying out Australian recipes, especially for sweet treats and desserts. 

Remember, the difference between the U.S. tablespoon and the metric one is small, so there is no need to worry when converting 14.8 milliliters to 15 milliliters.

Convert Cups to Tablespoons

Here is how to convert cups to tablespoons. Remember that 1 cup is equal to 16 tablespoons. This is the key conversion factor that must be used. 

Take the number of cups to convert and multiply it by 16.  This will give the equivalent number of tablespoons.

For example, to convert 2 cups to tablespoons (C to Tbsp):

2 cups × 16 tablespoons/cup = 32 tablespoons

So, 2 cups is equal to 32 tablespoons.

Sometimes, the answer might end up with a whole number of tablespoons and a fraction. For instance, 2.5 cups is equal to 40 tablespoons (2 cups × 16 tablespoons/cup) plus 8 tablespoons (0.5 cups × 16 tablespoons/cup).

Converting cups to tablespoons is straightforward. This is thanks to the consistent conversion factor of 1 cup to 16 tablespoons. 

This conversion is handy when needing to adjust recipes or work with different measuring tools in the kitchen.

Table with Conversions from Cups to Tablespoons 

Here is a reference chart to making life in the kitchen simpler. Consider printing it to put on the fridge!

Cups (US)	Tablespoons
1/8	2
¼	4
1/3	5 1/3
3/8	6
½	8
5/8	10
2/3	10 2/3
3/4	12
7/8	14
1	16
1 ¼	20
1 ½	24
1 ¾	28
2	32

Table with Conversions from Tablespoons to Cups 

Tablespoons	Cups (US)
2	1/8
4	¼
5 1/3	1/3
6	3/8
8	½
10	5/8
10 2/3	2/3
12	3/4
14	7/8
16	1
20	1 ¼
24	1 ½
28	1 ¾
32	2

Equipment for Measuring

Accurate measurement is a main part of successful cooking and baking. 

When it comes to measuring both dry and liquid ingredients in the kitchen, here are the pieces of equipment needed:

Measuring cups:

• Dry measuring cups: These are designed for measuring dry ingredients like flour, sugar, and grains. They usually come in sets. These sets include various cup sizes, including 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, and 1 cup. Dry measuring cups allow the user to level off ingredients. This makes the process more precise. 
• Liquid measuring cups: Liquid measuring cups have a spout and are used for measuring liquids like milk, water, and oils. They come in various sizes, including 1 cup, 2 cups, and 4 cups (quart). These cups usually have markings for fluid ounces, milliliters, and cups, making it easy to measure wet and dry ingredients.
• Adjustable measuring cups: Some measuring cups allow you to measure various volumes with a single cup. These can be particularly convenient for tasks requiring measuring a range of ingredients.

Tablespoons:

• Tablespoons (spoon sets): Tablespoons are used for measuring and serving. They often come in sets that include tablespoons in different sizes, such as tablespoons, teaspoons, and sometimes fractions of teaspoons for more precise measurements. These are suitable for both liquid and dry ingredients.
• Tablespoon measures: These are single-purpose tools designed specifically for measuring tablespoons accurately. They often have flat tops for leveling off dry ingredients.

The right equipment for measuring cups and tablespoons helps achieve good cooking and baking results. 

Whether baking a cake, preparing a savory dish, or mixing cocktails, these tools help you achieve the perfect balance of ingredients. 

Imperial System Vs. Metric System

The Imperial System and Metric System are two ways we measure things in cooking. 

Imperial system:

• In this system, cups and tablespoons are not always easy to convert because they use different-sized measurements.
• In the Imperial System, 1 cup is about 10 tablespoons. So, if a recipe uses cups, you might need to do some math to figure out how many tablespoons you need.

Metric System:

• The Metric System is simpler for measuring in cooking. It says that 1 cup is exactly 16 tablespoons. That’s easy to remember!
• So, if your recipe uses metric measurements, converting cups to tablespoons is straightforward. You just multiply the number of cups by 16.

The system you use in cooking depends on where you are and the recipe you follow. But understanding both systems helps you cook and bake confidently, no matter the recipe’s origin.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

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Enjoy this comprehensive guide for converting cups to tablespoons and tablespoons to cups!