Quick Summary: There are 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon in ⅓ cup, which also equals about 16 teaspoons or 2.7 fluid ounces. To measure it without a measuring cup, count out 5 level tablespoons and 1 teaspoon.
This guide takes the guesswork out of measuring, so you can focus on your recipes instead of the math. If you often forget how many tablespoons are in a cup, check the origin of the recipe first, since different countries use different measurement systems.
Jump to:
- American cup size
- Different cup sizes
- What is a tablespoon?
- Tablespoon sizes
- How many tablespoons in ⅓ cup
- How to convert ⅓ cup to tablespoons (⅓ cup to tbsp)
- ⅓ cup to tablespoon conversion
- How many teaspoons in ⅓ cup?
- US tablespoon vs. metric tablespoon
- How many tablespoons of butter in ⅓ cup
- Measuring solids
- Measuring liquids
- How to measure ⅓ cup
- Tablespoon conversion chart
- Printable conversion charts
- Related conversions
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
- Comments
American cup size
What are cup measurements in the United States? With its own measurement convention called 'US cups,' ⅓ customary or ⅓ standard cup is equal:
- ⅓ US Cup = 78.86 mL
- ⅓ US Cup = 5.33 US tablespoons (tbsp)
- ⅓ US Cup = 5.26 metric tablespoons (United Kingdom, international)
An American tablespoon equals 0.0625 American cups.
The legal US cup is used in cooking units, serving sizes, and nutrition labeling in the USA.
- ⅓ US Legal Cup = 80 mL
- ⅓ US Legal Cup = 5.41 US tablespoons (tbsp)
- ⅓ US Legal Cup = 5.33 metric tablespoons (UK, international)
Different cup sizes
A US cup differs slightly from those in other English-speaking countries, such as Australia, Canada, and South Africa. This is because these countries use metric measurements:
- ⅓ Metric Cup = 83.33 mL.
Old recipes in the United Kingdom use the British imperial system, where an Imperial (UK) cup is a non-metric unit of volume. Modern recipes in the UK use UK metric cup.
- ⅓ Imperial Cup = 94.67 mL
- ⅓ UK Metric Cup = 83.33 mL
| 1 cup | Milliliters | ⅓ cup | Milliliters |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Customary Cup | 236.59 ml | US Customary Cup | 78.86 ml |
| US Legal Cup | 240 ml | US Legal Cup | 80 ml |
| UK Metric Cup | 250 ml | UK Metric Cup | 83.33 ml |
| UK Imperial Cup | 284.13 ml | UK Imperial Cup | 94.67 ml |
| Australian Cup | 250 ml | Australian Cup | 83.33 ml |
| Canadian Cup | 250 ml | Canadian Cup | 83.33 ml |
| South African Cup | 250 ml | South African Cup | 83.33 ml |
What is a tablespoon?
A tablespoon is a unit of volume used to measure ingredients in cooking and baking, abbreviated as tablespoon or tbs. In the United States, one tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons, ½ fluid ounce, or about 14.8 milliliters. It sits between a teaspoon and a cup, making it handy when you do not have the right measuring cup.
Tablespoon sizes
A tablespoon, a volume unit, also varies from country to country worldwide. Most countries, except the USA and Australia, use a metric tablespoon of 15 ml.
Here are different sizes of tablespoons:
- 1 US tablespoon = 14.8 ml or 0.5 US fl oz
- 1 UK tablespoon = 15 ml
- 1 Canadian tablespoon = 15 ml or 0.51 US fl oz
- 1 Australian tablespoon = 20 ml or 0.68 US fl oz
How many tablespoons in ⅓ cup
There are 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon in ⅓ cup in the US system. That also equals 16 teaspoons, about 2.7 fluid ounces, or roughly 79 milliliters.
| Measurement | ⅓ cup equals |
| Tablespoons | 5 tablespoon + 1 tsp |
| Teaspoons | 16 tsp |
| Fluid ounces | 2.7 fl oz |
| Milliliters | 79 ml |
How to convert ⅓ cup to tablespoons (⅓ cup to tbsp)
1 cup = 16 tablespoons (US system), so here is a conversion formula:
Tbsp = cups x 16, where the conversion factor is 16;
⅓ x 16 = 5 ⅓ tbsp
So the math gives 5 ⅓ tablespoons. Since a teaspoon equals ⅓ of a tablespoon, that rounds to 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon.
⅓ cup to tablespoon conversion
Here is a handy chart of dry measuring cups (abbreviated 'c' or cup), tablespoons (tbsp), fluid ounces (fl oz), and milliliters (ml) equivalencies.
This conversion table helps to convert ⅓ cup of all-purpose flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients to tablespoons if you measure dry goods by volume.
Note: The third cup to tablespoons and fluid ounces conversion is in bold. ⅓ cup in ml is also a part of this conversion.
| Cups | Tablespoons | Fluid ounces | Milliliters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/16 cup | 1 tbsp | ½ fl. oz. | 14.79 ml |
| ⅛ cup | 2 tbsp | 1 fl. oz. | 29.57 ml |
| ⅙ cup | 2 tablespoon + 2 tsp | 1 ⅓ fl. oz. | 39.43 ml |
| ¼ cup | 4 tbsp | 2 fl. oz. | 59.15 ml |
| ⅓ cup | 5 tablespoon + 1 tsp | 2 ⅔ fl. oz. | 78.86 ml |
| ½ cup | 8 tbsp | 4 fl. oz. | 118.29 ml |
| ⅔ cup | 10 tablespoon + 2 tsp | 5 ⅓ fl. oz | 157.73 ml |
| ¾ cup | 12 tbsp | 6 fl. oz. | 177.44 ml |
| 1 cup | 16 tbsp | 8 fl. oz. | 236.59 ml |
How many teaspoons in ⅓ cup?
A third of a cup holds 16 teaspoons. Since ⅓ cup measures 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons, 5 tablespoons equal 15 teaspoons, and the leftover teaspoon rounds the total to 16. If you scale that up to a whole cup, you reach 16 tablespoons, which is the same as 48 teaspoons.
US tablespoon vs. metric tablespoon
The 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon answer assumes a US tablespoon, which measures about 14.79 ml. Cooks in other regions use slightly different spoons: the metric tablespoon is 15 ml, and the Australian one is 20 ml. Because ⅓ US cup is close to 78.9 ml, it fills about 5.3 metric tablespoons or roughly 3.9 Australian tablespoons.
That tiny difference will not throw off a cake or sauce, so 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon is a safe rule of thumb. Just switch to your local tablespoon whenever a recipe is written specifically for metric or Australian kitchens.
How many tablespoons of butter in ⅓ cup
How many tablespoons are in ⅓ cup of shortening?
Shortening is measured by volume, so it equals 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, just like butter or oil.
- ⅔ stick, or
- 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon, or
- 2.66 ounces, or
- 75.6 grams.
| tablespoon | Cups | Ounces | Grams | Stick of butter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 tbsp | 1 cup | 8 oz. | 226.8 g | 2 sticks |
| 12 tbsp | ¾ cup | 6 oz. | 170.1 g | 1 ½ sticks |
| 10 tablespoon + 2 tsp | ⅔ cup | 5.33 oz. | 151.2 g | 1 ⅓ sticks |
| 8 tbsp | ½ cup | 4 oz. | 113.4 g | 1 stick |
| 5 tablespoon + 1 tsp | ⅓ cup | 2.66 oz. | 75.6 g | ⅔ stick |
| 4 tbsp | ¼ cup | 2 oz. | 56.7 g | ½ stick |
Around the world, ⅓ of cups are not all equal. Depending on the recipe, conversions between ⅓ cup and tablespoon differ slightly.
| ⅓ cup | Milliliters | US tablespoons | UK tablespoons Imperial |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (standard) | 78.86 ml | 5.33 tbsp | 4.44 tbsp |
| UK (Imperial) | 94.67 ml | 6.4 tbsp | 5.33 tbsp |
| UK (metric) | 83.33 ml | 5.64 tbsp | 4.69 tbsp |
| Australia | 83.33 ml | 5.64 tbsp | 4.69 tbsp |
| Canada | 83.33 ml | 5.64 tbsp | 4.69 tbsp |
| South Africa | 83.33 ml | 5.64 tbsp | 4.69 tbsp |
Measuring solids
Measuring solid (dry) ingredients, especially flour, is key to successful baking. For accurate results, use a digital kitchen scale if you are accustomed to the metric system.
Or use the cup-and-spoon method if you live in the United States and are used to the US Customary System (USCS).
To measure dry goods, use the scoop-and-level method with a dry measuring cup. Make sure to sift the dry ingredients and level them off with the back of a butter knife.
Use measuring spoons to measure small amounts of dry products, such as baking powder or baking soda. Please note that recipes call for a level tablespoon or teaspoon (not a heaped one).
Measuring liquids
To measure liquid ingredients, you only need a liquid measuring cup and a set of measuring spoons. Ensure that the liquids are either at room temperature or melted.
Pour the liquid into a liquid measuring cup (don't use a tea or coffee mug or cup instead), and bend over to find the measuring mark at eye level. To measure wet ingredients with a spoon, just fill the spoon with the liquid.
But how to measure semi-liquid ingredients such as sour cream, speculoos spread, peanut butter, and yogurt? They should be measured with dry measuring cups.
How to measure ⅓ cup
If you wonder how to measure ⅓ cup, here are a few ways to help you get the exact measurements every time:
- Use a ⅓ measuring cup
- Use 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon
- Use 16 teaspoons
But how to get ⅓ cup without measuring tools (cups and spoons)? If so, try eyeballing the ingredient volumes.
A tablespoon is roughly equal to an ice cube, and you can use the tip of your index finger as a teaspoon measure.
These are called visual approximations and are not as accurate as measuring ingredients with measuring cups, spoons, and a digital scale.
Tablespoon conversion chart
Here is a quick reference chart, a tablespoon conversion chart in PDF.
Download and print out this Tablespoon Conversion Chart >>
You can laminate it using a thermal laminator and put it inside your kitchen cabinet or on the side of the fridge. Or include this cheat sheet in your favorite recipe binder.
If you love visual and entertaining infographics, download and print this Tablespoon To Cup Conversion Chart.
Printable conversion charts
Browse the website, and you will find a lot of helpful information, from basic baking conversions and ingredient substitutions to answers to tricky baking questions.
You will also discover numerous free kitchen printables gathered in one place, a free resource library:
- Kitchen conversion chart
- Baking pan conversion chart
- Cooking weight conversion chart
- Liquid conversion chart
- Oven temperature conversion chart
Related conversions
Make sure to check out other common kitchen measurements and their conversions, especially for tablespoons and cups measurement conversions:
- How Many Tablespoons In ⅔ Cup
- How Many Tablespoons In ¾ Cup
- How Many Tablespoons In ½ Cup
- How Many Tablespoons In A Pint
- How Many Tablespoons In A Fluid Ounce
- How Many Tablespoons In A Quart
- How Many Tablespoons In A Gallon
And if you ever need to convert your baking pan sizes, use this simple Cake Pan Converter.
Conclusion
I hope this article answers how many tablespoons make ⅓ cup. You might see other frequently asked questions about the ⅓ cup to tablespoons conversion, for example:
- ⅓ cup is equal to how many tablespoons
- How many tablespoons make a ⅓ cup
- One-third of a cup equals how many tablespoons
- How many tablespoon are in ⅓ cup
- How many tablespoons in ⅓
- How many tablespoons equal ⅓ cup
- How many tablespoons is ⅓ cup
The answer is the same: ⅓ cup equals 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon.
For the right measuring tools and other baking equipment, check out a blog post devoted to baking essentials.
Frequently asked questions
How many tablespoons in ⅓ cup butter
There are 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon of butter, just as with any other ingredient measured by volume.
How many tablespoons in ⅓ cup liquid
A liquid third of a cup equals 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon.
How many tablespoons in ⅓ cup of oil
Oil measures the same by volume, so it equals 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon.
How many tablespoons in ⅓ cup melted butter
Melted butter also equals 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon.
How many tablespoons in ⅓ cup flour
By volume, 1 cup of flour equals 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon, though weighing it is more accurate for baking.
How much is half of ⅓ cup in tablespoons
Half of ⅓ cup equals 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons.
What is ⅓ cup in tablespoons and teaspoons?
⅓ cup equals 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon. In teaspoons alone, that is 16 teaspoons.
What is ⅓ in tablespoons?
⅓ cup equals 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon. If you mean ⅓ of a single tablespoon, that is 1 teaspoon, since one tablespoon holds 3 teaspoons.
How do you measure ⅓ cup without a measuring cup?
Measure 5 level tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, or 16 teaspoons in total, using measuring spoons.
Is 6 tablespoons equal to ⅓ cup?
No. 6 tablespoons equal ⅜ cup, which is a bit more. The exact amount is 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon.
How many tablespoons are in ⅓ cup of shortening?
Shortening is measured by volume, so ⅓ cup equals 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, just like butter or oil.
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