How Many Teaspoons in a Tablespoon?
In US and UK systems, 1 tablespoon equals exactly 3 teaspoons (15 mL). Note: Australian teaspoons are 4 mL, not 5 mL.
Quick Answer
3 teaspoons
tablespoon = teaspoon
Conversion Table
| tablespoon | teaspoon | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tsp (US/UK) | 1/3 tbsp | 5 mL |
| 1 tsp (Australia) | ~1/5 tbsp | 4 mL |
| 1/2 tbsp | 1 1/2 tsp | US/UK |
| 1 tbsp (US/UK) | 3 tsp | 15 mL |
| 1 tbsp (Australia) | 4 tsp | 20 mL tbsp |
| 2 tbsp | 6 tsp | 3 × 2 |
Alternative Conversions
US teaspoon
5 mL
Australian teaspoon
4 mL
US tablespoon
15 mL (3 tsp)
Australian tablespoon
20 mL (4 tsp)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. US and UK teaspoons are 5 mL, but Australian teaspoons are 4 mL. Australian tablespoons are also different (20 mL vs 15 mL). When using Australian recipes, be aware that 1 Australian tablespoon equals 4 Australian teaspoons, not 3.
No, a teaspoon is one-third of a tablespoon, not half. There are 3 teaspoons in 1 tablespoon.
1 tablespoon doubled equals 2 tablespoons, which is also equal to 6 teaspoons or 1/8 cup.
There are 6 teaspoons in 2 tablespoons (US/UK). In Australia, 2 tablespoons would equal 8 teaspoons because their tablespoon is larger (20 mL).
Measuring Tips
Fill the teaspoon to the brim without spilling over. For liquids, check at eye level for accuracy. For dry ingredients like salt or spices, level with a straight edge. When using measuring spoons, hold them level - tilting can cause inaccurate measurements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using regular eating spoons instead of standard measuring spoons ❌ Not leveling dry ingredients (can add 20-30% extra) ❌ Measuring over the mixing bowl (spills don't count) ❌ Confusing US teaspoons (5 mL) with Australian teaspoons (4 mL)
When to Use This Measurement
Use teaspoons for: Salt (1 tsp per cup of flour is standard), baking powder/soda, vanilla extract, spices (cinnamon, nutmeg), small amounts of citrus zest or extracts. For anything over 2 tablespoons, switch to tablespoon measurements.
Recommended Equipment
Standard measuring spoon set (1/4, 1/2, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp) - stainless steel preferred Straight edge for leveling (back of knife, bench scraper) Small prep bowls to hold measured ingredients Digital scale for precision (especially for baking powder/soda)
Recommended products (Amazon affiliate links):
Recipe Scaling Guide
To double: Multiply teaspoons by 2 To halve: Divide by 2 (round to nearest 1/4 tsp) For 1.5x: Multiply by 3, divide by 2 Example: 2 tsp doubled = 4 tsp = 1 tbsp + 1 tsp