How millilitres to tablespoons are calculated
A tablespoon is a fixed volume, so the conversion is a division by that volume — 14.787 ml for a US tablespoon or 15 ml for a metric one.
tablespoons = millilitres ÷ 14.787 (US) or ÷ 15 (metric and UK)
- A US tablespoon is exactly half a US fluid ounce: 14.787 ml. A metric tablespoon, used in Australia, Canada and on UK labels, is 15 ml.
- Divide your millilitres by 14.787 (US) or 15 (metric) for tablespoons, or multiply tablespoons by the same number to go back.
- The two are close: 100 ml is 6.76 US tablespoons but 6.67 metric tablespoons — a difference of less than a fifth of a spoon.
- A tablespoon is three teaspoons of the same system, so a US teaspoon is 4.93 ml and a metric one 5 ml.
Worked example — 30 ml ÷ 14.787 = 2.03 US tablespoons — a level 2 tablespoons, or just over 6 teaspoons.
Common amounts converted
| Millilitres | US tablespoons | Metric tablespoons | Teaspoons (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ml | 0.34 tbsp | 0.33 tbsp | 1.01 tsp |
| 10 ml | 0.68 tbsp | 0.67 tbsp | 2.03 tsp |
| 15 ml | 1.01 tbsp | 1 tbsp | 3.04 tsp |
| 20 ml | 1.35 tbsp | 1.33 tbsp | 4.06 tsp |
| 30 ml | 2.03 tbsp | 2 tbsp | 6.09 tsp |
| 45 ml | 3.04 tbsp | 3 tbsp | 9.13 tsp |
| 60 ml | 4.06 tbsp | 4 tbsp | 12.17 tsp |
| 100 ml | 6.76 tbsp | 6.67 tbsp | 20.29 tsp |
| 250 ml | 16.91 tbsp | 16.67 tbsp | 50.72 tsp |
| 500 ml | 33.81 tbsp | 33.33 tbsp | 101.44 tsp |
Swipe the table sideways to see the rest.
To go the other way, switch the converter above to Tablespoons → millilitres.
Things to consider
- Australian, Canadian and UK recipes use a 15 ml tablespoon while US recipes use 14.787 ml. Over a cup that is about half a teaspoon of difference.
- This converts volume, not weight — a tablespoon of flour and a tablespoon of sugar weigh different amounts.
- Spoon sizes vary between cutlery drawers, so measuring spoons give a repeatable level spoon rather than a heaped one.
- A metric cup is 250 ml (16.67 metric tablespoons) while a US cup is 236.59 ml (16 US tablespoons).
Frequently asked questions
How many ml is a tablespoon?
14.787 ml in the US, and 15 ml for metric and UK tablespoons.
Is 10 ml two tablespoons?
In metric measures, yes. In US tablespoons 10 ml is 1.69 tablespoons.
Are US and UK tablespoons the same?
Close but not identical — UK measuring spoons are 15 ml, US ones 14.787 ml, about 1.4% apart.
How many tablespoons is 100 ml?
6.76 US tablespoons, or 6.67 metric tablespoons.
How do I convert tablespoons back to ml?
Switch this converter to Tablespoons → millilitres, or multiply by 14.787 (US) or 15 (metric).
Results are estimates for general information only, not financial, medical or professional advice.