What Is Tablespoon (Metric)?
A metric tablespoon is a unit used in cooking to measure small amounts of ingredients. In most countries that use the metric system, one metric tablespoon holds 15 milliliters of liquid.
It is bigger than a metric teaspoon and smaller than a metric cup. Cooks and bakers use it to measure things like oil, milk, sugar, and spices.
Definition
In simple terms, a metric tablespoon is defined as:
- 1 metric tablespoon = 15 milliliters (mL) in most metric countries
- It is a volume unit, which means it measures how much space a liquid or loose solid takes up.
There is one big exception:
- In Australia and a few nearby places, 1 metric tablespoon = 20 milliliters.
So, when you read a recipe, it is important to know which country it comes from, because the tablespoon size might be slightly different.
History / Origin
The word tablespoon comes from the common table spoon that people used at meals. Long ago, people used regular spoons from their kitchen as rough measuring tools in cooking. Of course, these spoons were all different sizes, so the results were not very exact.
When the metric system became more common, many countries decided to give the tablespoon a fixed, standard size. They chose to match it with neat metric numbers so it would work well with milliliters and liters. Most places agreed on 15 mL, while Australia chose 20 mL for its standard tablespoon.
Today, real measuring spoons are made in factories to match these standard metric sizes, so recipes can be repeated with much better accuracy.
Symbol & Abbreviation
The metric tablespoon is not an official SI unit, so there is no single worldwide symbol. However, people and cookbooks often use a few common short forms.
Common abbreviations include:
- tbsp or Tbsp
- tbs
- T or sometimes Tbl
To make it very clear that you mean the metric size, some writers use:
- metric tbsp
- metric tablespoon
Always check the recipe notes. Many good cookbooks say at the start if they use a 15 mL or 20 mL tablespoon.
Current Use Around the World
The metric tablespoon is used in many parts of the world, especially in countries that follow the metric system.
Typical values by region:
- 15 mL tablespoon: Common in most of Europe, parts of Asia, South America, and many other metric countries.
- 20 mL tablespoon: Used in Australia and often in New Zealand and some nearby regions.
In the United States and a few other countries that mainly use non metric units, a tablespoon is usually based on the US customary system, which is close to but not exactly 15 mL.
Today, the metric tablespoon is mainly used for:
- Cooking and baking recipes for liquids and small amounts of dry foods
- Food labels and kitchen instructions in some countries
- Household measures for things like medicine doses when written in everyday language
Example Conversions
The most important thing to remember is whether the tablespoon is 15 mL or 20 mL. Below are examples for the common 15 mL metric tablespoon. If you are in Australia, use 20 mL instead.
Basic metric relationships (for 15 mL tablespoon):
- 1 metric tablespoon = 15 mL
- 1 metric tablespoon = 0.015 liters (L)
- 1 metric tablespoon = 3 metric teaspoons (because 1 teaspoon = 5 mL)
Conversion with common kitchen units (for 15 mL tablespoon):
- 1 metric tablespoon ≈ 0.5 US fluid ounce
- 2 metric tablespoons ≈ 1 US fluid ounce
- 16 metric tablespoons ≈ 1 metric cup of 240 mL (exact number depends on the cup size used)
From tablespoons to milliliters (15 mL each):
- 1 tbsp = 15 mL
- 2 tbsp = 30 mL
- 3 tbsp = 45 mL
- 4 tbsp = 60 mL
- 6 tbsp = 90 mL
From milliliters to tablespoons (15 mL each):
- 30 mL ≈ 2 tbsp
- 45 mL ≈ 3 tbsp
- 60 mL ≈ 4 tbsp
- 75 mL ≈ 5 tbsp
- 90 mL ≈ 6 tbsp
Australian 20 mL tablespoon quick guide:
- 1 tbsp = 20 mL
- 1 tbsp = 4 teaspoons (because 1 teaspoon = 5 mL)
- 40 mL = 2 tbsp
Related Units
The metric tablespoon is closely linked to several other volume units used in kitchens:
- Metric teaspoon (tsp): Usually 5 mL. It is smaller than a tablespoon.
- Metric cup: Often 200 mL or 240 mL depending on the country. Used for larger amounts.
- Milliliter (mL): The basic small metric volume unit. Tablespoons are defined using milliliters.
- Liter (L): 1 liter = 1000 mL. Used for larger liquid amounts like bottles.
- US tablespoon: About 14.8 mL. Very close to the 15 mL metric tablespoon but not exactly the same.
- US fluid ounce (fl oz): About 29.6 mL. Roughly equals 2 metric tablespoons of 15 mL.
FAQs
Is a metric tablespoon always 15 mL?
No. In most metric countries it is 15 mL, but in Australia and some nearby places a tablespoon is 20 mL. Always check the country or cookbook.
How many metric teaspoons are in one metric tablespoon?
With the 15 mL standard, there are 3 teaspoons in 1 tablespoon, because 1 teaspoon is 5 mL. In Australia, there are 4 teaspoons in a 20 mL tablespoon.
Is a metric tablespoon the same as a US tablespoon?
They are very close but not exactly the same. A US tablespoon is about 14.8 mL, while a metric tablespoon is usually 15 mL. For most home cooking, this small difference does not matter much.
Can I use an ordinary eating spoon instead of a metric tablespoon?
Ordinary spoons on your table are not all the same size, so they are not very accurate. For best results, use a set of marked measuring spoons that show teaspoon and tablespoon sizes.
How can I measure a metric tablespoon if I only have milliliter markings?
Use a small measuring cup or syringe with mL marks. For a 15 mL tablespoon, fill to the 15 mL line. For an Australian tablespoon, fill to the 20 mL line.
Is a tablespoon an official metric or SI unit?
No. The tablespoon is not a formal SI unit. It is a practical kitchen unit that has been fitted to nice metric sizes like 15 mL and 20 mL so it is easy to use.
Why did Australia choose a 20 mL tablespoon?
Australia decided to use a slightly larger 20 mL tablespoon when it changed to the metric system. This choice also makes a simple rule in Australian recipes: 1 tablespoon equals 4 teaspoons.