What Is Teaspoon (Metric)?
A metric teaspoon is a small unit for measuring volume. It is used in cooking, baking and medicine. By definition, one metric teaspoon is exactly 5 milliliters. This fixed size helps make recipes and medicine doses clear and safe.
Definition
A teaspoon (metric) is a unit of volume in the metric system.
- Exact size: 1 metric teaspoon = 5 milliliters (5 mL)
- Type of unit: Volume, used for small amounts of liquids or powders
- Main use: Cooking, baking, and measuring medicine
This is different from just saying “a spoon from the kitchen”. A metric teaspoon is a measured standard, not any random spoon you pick from a drawer.
History / Origin
The word “teaspoon” first came from the small spoons used to drink tea. People started using these spoons to measure ingredients, but the size of spoons was not the same in every home or country.
As cooking and medicine became more exact, it became a problem that teaspoons were all different sizes. To fix this, many countries decided to give the teaspoon a clear number value in the metric system.
During metric changes in the 1900s, countries like Australia and New Zealand set the metric teaspoon to be exactly 5 mL. This value is now widely accepted and used in many places when people say “metric teaspoon”.
Symbol & Abbreviation
Several short forms are used for the metric teaspoon. The most common ones are:
- tsp (most common in recipes and on packages)
- t (sometimes used in cookbooks)
- 5 mL (often used on medicine labels together with “teaspoon”)
When you see tsp or t in a metric recipe, you can usually treat it as 5 mL unless the recipe clearly says otherwise.
Current Use Around the World
The metric teaspoon is used in many countries that follow the metric system, such as:
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Most of Europe
- Parts of Asia, Africa and South America
In these places, recipe books, food labels and medicine guides often treat one teaspoon as exactly 5 mL.
In the United States and some other countries, teaspoons are part of the “US customary” or “imperial” systems. A US teaspoon is defined as about 4.93 mL, which is very close to 5 mL. Because the difference is small, many people and doctors still treat it as roughly 5 mL for simple home use.
Today, you can buy measuring spoons that say 1 tsp and 5 mL on the same spoon. This shows that, in practice, the metric teaspoon and the common teaspoon in the kitchen are usually handled as the same size.
Example Conversions
These examples show how the metric teaspoon compares to other common units.
| Metric Teaspoons | Milliliters (mL) | Liters (L) | Tablespoons (metric) | US fluid ounces (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tsp (metric) | 5 mL | 0.005 L | 1⁄3 Tbsp | 0.17 fl oz |
| 2 tsp (metric) | 10 mL | 0.01 L | 2⁄3 Tbsp | 0.34 fl oz |
| 3 tsp (metric) | 15 mL | 0.015 L | 1 Tbsp (metric) | 0.51 fl oz |
| 6 tsp (metric) | 30 mL | 0.03 L | 2 Tbsp (metric) | 1.01 fl oz |
| 20 tsp (metric) | 100 mL | 0.1 L | 6 Tbsp + 2 tsp | 3.38 fl oz |
Some quick rules you can remember:
- 1 metric teaspoon = 5 mL
- 3 metric teaspoons = 1 metric tablespoon
- 200 metric teaspoons = 1 liter
Related Units
The metric teaspoon is closely linked with these other volume units:
- Milliliter (mL) the base small volume unit in the metric system. 1 tsp (metric) = 5 mL.
- Tablespoon (metric) a larger cooking measure. 1 Tbsp (metric) = 15 mL = 3 metric teaspoons.
- Liter (L) a much bigger metric volume. 1 L = 1000 mL = 200 metric teaspoons.
- Cup (metric) used in many recipes. 1 metric cup is often taken as 250 mL, which equals 50 metric teaspoons.
- US teaspoon defined as about 4.93 mL, very close to 5 mL.
- US tablespoon 1 US tablespoon = 3 US teaspoons, about 14.79 mL, almost the same as 15 mL.
- Fluid ounce a volume unit used in the US and UK. 1 metric teaspoon is about 0.17 US fluid ounces.
FAQs
Is a metric teaspoon always 5 mL?
Yes. By definition, a metric teaspoon is exactly 5 milliliters. If you are using a proper measuring spoon marked tsp or 5 mL, it should match this size.
Is a kitchen spoon the same as a metric teaspoon?
Not always. Regular spoons used for eating can be a bit smaller or bigger. For correct results in cooking or medicine, it is better to use a measuring spoon marked with tsp and mL.
How many metric teaspoons are in one metric tablespoon?
There are 3 metric teaspoons in 1 metric tablespoon. This means 1 Tbsp = 15 mL = 3 times 5 mL.
What is the difference between a US teaspoon and a metric teaspoon?
A US teaspoon is defined as about 4.93 mL, while a metric teaspoon is 5 mL. The difference is very small, so for most home cooking they act almost the same.
How many metric teaspoons are in a cup?
If your recipe uses a 250 mL metric cup, then 1 cup = 50 metric teaspoons, because 250 mL divided by 5 mL per teaspoon equals 50.
Can I use metric teaspoons for medicine doses?
Many medicine labels say 5 mL and match this to 1 teaspoon. If you use a marked 5 mL dosing spoon or syringe, you will give a more exact dose than using a random spoon.
How do I measure half a metric teaspoon?
You can use a half teaspoon measuring spoon if you have one. If not, try to fill a full teaspoon only halfway, but this will be less exact than a real half tsp measure.
