We’ve all been there, you taste your cooking creation and realise that you must have got a key measurement incorrect and the dish is overpowered by spice, or worse inedible for being too salty.
While I’d fully recommend having a good measuring spoon set in your kitchen drawer for baking, sometimes we need to make do with what we have (and I have two very different sized teaspoons and desert spoons in my cutlery drawer for extra confusion).
So this spoons sizes and measurements guide is for anyone who needs to know how many teaspoons in a tablespoon in a hurry. Or what does a ’rounded’ tablespoon mean, or how much does 3 level tablespoons of flour weigh?
Recipes often give ingredients in “spoons” but what if you don’t have the particular spoon to hand? And is your soup spoon the same as a table spoon? Well put the ladle down, here is a handy conversion chart for the most popular sizes capacity.
Spoons abbreviations
- t, tbs, tb, tbsp = tablespoon.
- t or tsp = teaspoon
Understanding “Rounded”, “Level”, and “Heaped” Spoons
- Rounded Tablespoon: When referring to dry goods (e.g., flour), a table spoon typically means rounded, which is when there is as much of the product above the top edge of the spoon as there is in the “bowl” of the spoon. I usually heap it and give a little shake.
- Heaped Tablespoon: A heaped tablespoon means as much as you can fit on the spoon without it falling off.
- Level Tablespoon: This is where the ingredient is level with the top edge of the spoon. To achieve a level tablespoon, fill the spoon and run a knife horizontally across the top edges, discarding anything above the level of the spoon. Be sure to have something underneath to catch it!
Spoon Measures
| Measurement | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 Tablespoon (tbls) | 3 Teaspoons |
| 1 Dessert Spoon | 2 Teaspoons |
| 1 Level Tablespoon (tbls) | 15 ml |
| 1 Level Tea spoon (tsp) | 5 ml |
Understanding “Rounded”, “Level”, and “Heaped” Spoons
- Rounded Tablespoon: When referring to dry goods (e.g., flour), a tablespoon typically means a rounded tablespoon. A rounded tablespoon means there is as much of the product above the top edge of the spoon as there is in the “bowl” of the spoon.
- Heaped Tablespoon: A heaped tablespoon means as much as you can fit on the spoon without it falling off.
- Level Tablespoon: This is where the ingredient is level with the top edge of the spoon. To achieve a level tablespoon, fill the spoon and run a knife horizontally across the top edges, discarding anything above the level of the spoon. Be sure to have something underneath to catch it!
Measuring Butter
A stick of butter is equivalent to 1/2 cup, 4 ounces, 8 tablespoons, or 113 grams.
Equivalents of Measures using standard measuring cup of 8 fl. oz
| Ingredient | 1 Cup Equivalent | Weight Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Sifted flour | 1 cup | 4 oz. |
| Granulated/Caster sugar (superfine) | 1 cup | 8 oz. |
| Butter, lard or margarine | 1 cup | 8 oz. |
Approximate Measures (25g or 1 oz)
| Measurement | Ingredient | Approx. Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 level tablespoon | Salt | 25 g or 1 oz |
| 3 level tablespoons | Flour | 25 g or 1 oz |
| 2 level tablespoons | Rice | 25 g or 1 oz |
| 5 level tablespoons | Grated Cheese | 25 g or 1 oz |
| 4 level tablespoons | Cocoa Powder | 25 g or 1 oz |
| 1 level tablespoon | Honey/Syrup/Jam | 25 g or 1 oz |
| 2 level tablespoons | Granulated sugar | 25 g or 1 oz |
| 3 level tablespoons | Sifted Icing Sugar | 25 g or 1 oz |
| 6 level tablespoons | Fresh breadcrumbs | 25 g or 1 oz |
| 4 level tablespoons | Porridge oats | 25 g or 1 oz |
Basic Metrics
| Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|
| 8 oz (ounces) | 225 gr (gram/grammes) |
| 1 lb (pound) | 450 gr (gram/grammes) or 1/2 kilogramme |
| 1 3/4 pints | 1 litre |
| 1 ft (foot) | 30 cms |
Common Cooking Measurements
Teaspoons (tsp)
- Metric: 5 ml
- Imperial: 5 ml
Teaspoons are often used for smaller quantities, particularly when adding ingredients like salt, sugar, or spices. It’s one of the most common units of measurement in recipes for both liquids and dry ingredients.
Tablespoons (tbsp)
- Metric: 15 ml
- Imperial: 15 ml
A tablespoon is three times the size of a teaspoon. It’s commonly used in both cooking and baking for liquid ingredients (like oil or vinegar) or dry ingredients (such as flour or sugar).
Cups
- Metric: 240 ml
- Imperial: 284 ml (UK) or 237 ml (US)
This is one of the most commonly used measurements in American cooking and is essential for many recipes, especially when baking. And a pain for us Brits or Irish who often drink out of larger mugs. Note the slight differences between UK and US cups, which can cause confusion when following recipes from different sources.
Fluid Ounces (fl oz)
- Metric: 30 ml
- Imperial: 28.4 ml (UK) or 29.57 ml (US)
Fluid ounces are commonly used to measure both liquids and small quantities. It is important to note the subtle difference in volume between the UK and US fluid ounces, with the UK measurement being slightly smaller.
Other Measurements Used in Cooking
Pinch
A pinch is a small amount of an ingredient, typically between 1/16 and 1/8 teaspoon. It’s a common unit of measurement for spices and seasonings like salt or pepper. It’s handy here to know the impact spices and chilli can have to taste and strength, and it’s better to go under, taste, then add more.
- Comparison: Approximately 0.3 ml.
Dash
A dash is typically slightly larger than a pinch, often about 1/8 teaspoon.
- Comparison: Approximately 0.5 ml.
Sprinkle
This measurement is even less precise and refers to the action of scattering or lightly covering food with an ingredient. It’s used for toppings or small garnishes, like cheese or herbs.
- Comparison: Approximately 1-2 ml, depending on the ingredient and how much is “sprinkled”.
Splash
A splash is typically used to describe a small amount of liquid added to food or drink. It’s often used for liquids like vinegar, oil, or alcohol. A splash can vary in quantity, but it’s generally considered to be between 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon.
- Comparison: Approximately 5-15 ml.
Drizzle
A drizzle refers to the action of adding a small, controlled stream of liquid to food, often used for sauces, oils, or syrups. The amount can vary depending on the ingredient, but it’s generally more than a splash but less than a pour.
- Comparison: Approximately 5-10 ml.
Handful
A handful is a measurement based on the amount that can be held in the hand, typically used for ingredients like nuts, herbs, or leafy greens. The exact measurement depends on the size of the person’s hand, but it generally refers to about 1/4 to 1/3 cup.
- Comparison: Approximately 25-35 grams.
Smidgen
A smidgen is even smaller than a pinch and is often used in recipes that require very little of a specific ingredient, especially spices. It’s typically around 1/32 teaspoon.
- Comparison: Approximately 0.15 ml.
A drop or Eye of the Needle
This is an extremely small measurement, generally used for liquids, like adding a tiny drop of vinegar or oil. It’s about the size of a drop.
- Comparison: Approximately 0.25 ml or a single drop.
Heaping
A heaping measurement refers to a portion that is more than level, meaning the ingredient is piled above the rim of the spoon, utensil or cup. It’s used when a recipe calls for more than a standard measure, like a heaping tablespoon of flour.
- Comparison: Roughly 1.5 times the normal measurement, so for a tablespoon, it would be about 15-18 ml.
Cupful
This is a vague measurement in my opinion, typically used to describe the amount of an ingredient you can fill a cup with without any specific details on whether the ingredient is packed or loose. It’s often used for large ingredients like rice, beans, or flour.
- Comparison: Approximately 200-240 ml, depending on the ingredient and whether it’s packed or loose.
Block
Commonly used for solid ingredients like butter or cheese, a block measurement refers to a piece that’s typically wrapped or packaged in blocks. A standard block of butter in the UK is often 250g.
- Comparison: A block is typically around 1/2 to 1 cup of ingredients depending on what it’s referring to.
Can you Save an Overspiced or Salty Dish?
It’s a life experience thing, easily done if you free pour like me and the jar has no flow stopper. But if you ever go over, things like cream, yoghurt or cheese can be useful to make it palatable again. Don’t try and use more powerful tasting spices, a bulk of neutral will dilute it.
If it’s far too salty, I usually wouldn’t bother trying to save it.
Measurements Across Cuisines, Traditions and Countries
The internet and the many food bloggers have opened up the international chefs. Different cuisines and cooking traditions may have their own methods for measuring ingredients, which may or may not align with metric or imperial standards. For instance, traditional Asian cooking often uses “handfuls” or “pinches,” whereas Mediterranean cuisine might rely more on the “splash” or “drizzle” when adding ingredients.
In the UK, recipes often specify weights in grams, while in the US, volume measurements like cups and tablespoons are the standard. For international recipes, it’s important to recognise that ingredients might be described differently depending on the system used by the author.
If you’ve found this useful, you might also appreciate our Kitchen Weight Conversions Guide.
FAQ’s
How many teaspoons in a tablespoon?
There are 3 Teaspoons in a tablespoon.
What is a rounded tablespoon?
A rounded tablespoon is less than heaped, and means there is as much of the product above the top edge of the spoon as there is in the spoon, making the full contents rounded.
