1 Tablespoon to Cup – Easy Conversion Explained

1 tablespoon is equal to 0.0625 cup.

Converting tablespoons to cups involves knowing that 1 cup contains 16 tablespoons. Therefore, dividing the number of tablespoons by 16 gives the equivalent value in cups.

Conversion Tool


Result in cup:

Conversion Formula

The formula to convert tablespoons (tbsp) to cups (c) is:

Cups = Tablespoons ÷ 16

This formula works because 1 cup is defined as 16 tablespoons in volume measurement for cooking and baking. So, to find how many cups a certain number of tablespoons represent, you divide the tablespoon value by 16.

Example calculation:

  • You have 32 tablespoons and want to know how many cups that is.
  • Using the formula: Cups = 32 ÷ 16
  • Cups = 2
  • Therefore, 32 tablespoons equal 2 cups.

Conversion Example

  • Example 1: Convert 8 tablespoons to cups.
    • Start with 8 tablespoons.
    • Divide 8 by 16: 8 ÷ 16 = 0.5
    • So, 8 tablespoons equal 0.5 cups.
  • Example 2: Convert 24 tablespoons to cups.
    • Start with 24 tablespoons.
    • 24 ÷ 16 = 1.5
    • Therefore, 24 tablespoons equal 1.5 cups.
  • Example 3: Convert 4 tablespoons to cups.
    • Start with 4 tablespoons.
    • 4 ÷ 16 = 0.25
    • So, 4 tablespoons equal 0.25 cups.
  • Example 4: Convert 10 tablespoons to cups.
    • Start with 10 tablespoons.
    • 10 ÷ 16 = 0.625
    • Therefore, 10 tablespoons equal 0.625 cups.
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Conversion Chart

The chart below shows the conversion from tablespoons (tbsp) to cups (c) for values ranging from -24.0 to 26.0. To use it, find the tablespoon value in the first column, then read across to see the equivalent in cups. Negative values may represent subtracting volume or theoretical amounts.

Tablespoons (tbsp)Cups (c)
-24.0-1.5000
-20.0-1.2500
-16.0-1.0000
-12.0-0.7500
-8.0-0.5000
-4.0-0.2500
0.00.0000
2.00.1250
4.00.2500
8.00.5000
12.00.7500
16.01.0000
20.01.2500
24.01.5000
26.01.6250

Related Conversion Questions

  • How many cups make 1 tablespoon in cooking?
  • What is the cup equivalent of 1 tablespoon for baking?
  • Is 1 tablespoon more or less than 0.1 cup?
  • How to convert 1 tablespoon to cup in metric measurements?
  • Can I use 1 tablespoon as 0.06 cups when cooking?
  • How precise is 1 tablespoon to cup conversion for recipes?
  • What’s 1 tablespoon in cups if I need smaller portion sizes?

Conversion Definitions

Tablespoon: A tablespoon is a cooking measure used for both liquid and dry ingredients. It equals about 15 milliliters in volume. In the US customary system, one tablespoon is exactly 1/16th of a cup, which makes it convenient for small quantity measurements in recipes. It is abbreviated as tbsp or Tbsp.

Cup: A cup is a unit of volume commonly used in cooking to measure liquids and solids. In US measurements, one cup equals 16 tablespoons or about 237 milliliters. It serves as a standard reference in many recipes, allowing consistent portion sizes. The cup is often represented as c or simply “cup” in recipe directions.

Conversion FAQs

Why is 1 tablespoon equal to 1/16 of a cup?

Because the US volume system divides a cup into 16 equal tablespoons. This division makes measuring smaller amounts easier without needing separate tools. The tablespoon was defined to fit evenly into the cup for practical kitchen use.

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Can I convert tablespoons to cups if my tablespoon is not US standard?

If the tablespoon size differs (like in UK or Australia), the conversion varies because their tablespoon measures are larger or smaller than the US tablespoon. You need to check your local tablespoon volume before converting to cups.

Is the tablespoon to cup conversion exact for all ingredients?

The conversion is exact in volume, but ingredient density affects weight. For example, 1 tablespoon of flour is lighter than 1 tablespoon of honey. So, converting tablespoons to cups works for volume, not weight.

How do I convert negative tablespoons to cups in recipes?

Negative values might be theoretical, representing removing or reducing volume. Mathematically, convert negative tablespoons same way by dividing by 16, resulting in negative cups indicating a volume subtraction.

Why does the conversion tool show decimals instead of fractions?

Decimals provide a more precise, easy-to-read number, especially for digital calculations. Fractions can be harder to interpret or use in programming, so decimals rounded to four places give a clear value.

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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.