Tablespoon (tbsp) to Millilitre (ml)
Converting tablespoons to millilitres is useful in the kitchen, particularly when scaling recipes or measuring liquids without a measuring jug. In the UK and most of Europe, 1 tablespoon equals 15 ml — the metric standard. Note that American recipes use a slightly smaller tablespoon of 14.787 ml, so quantities may differ marginally when following US cookbooks.
Frequently asked questions
In the UK, 1 tablespoon equals 15 ml. This is the metric tablespoon used in British and most European recipes. American tablespoons are slightly smaller at 14.787 ml — a difference of just over 0.2 ml per spoon.
Three tablespoons equal 3 × 15 ml = 45 ml. This is a handy figure to remember when a recipe calls for a small quantity of oil, sauce, or other liquid.
The US tablespoon (14.787 ml) originates from pre-metric customary measures, whereas the UK and most European countries adopted the metric tablespoon of 15 ml. The difference is small — about 1.4% — but can accumulate in larger recipes or when precision matters, such as in baking.
A standard tablespoon from your cutlery drawer can vary significantly in volume — typically between 10 and 20 ml depending on its shape. For precise cooking or baking, always use a calibrated measuring spoon. A proper metric tablespoon holds exactly 15 ml.