ML to tablespoons
Convert milliliters to tablespoons for recipes, sauces, dosing and small-batch cooking. 15 mL = 1 US tbsp; UK and Australian standards in reference table.
Last updated: May 2026
Enter a value to see the conversion instantly.
Converting millilitres to tablespoons
Milliliters are the precise metric unit, while tablespoons are the common kitchen measure. Use this converter when a quantity is in mL and you need tablespoons; 15 mL is about 1 tablespoon. tbsp = ml × 0.0676280454
Cooking volume reference: millilitres and tablespoons
| ml | tbsp |
|---|---|
| 5 | 0.338 |
| 15 | 1.014 |
| 30 | 2.029 |
| 45 | 3.043 |
Common recipe amounts in ml and tablespoons
Tablespoons are the default for liquids, sauces and flavourings in US and UK recipes. The table below covers the amounts you will encounter most often when scaling or converting a recipe to metric.
| Recipe amount | Millilitres | Tablespoons | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | 5 ml | 1/3 tbsp | Spices, extracts, baking powder |
| 1 tablespoon | 15 ml | 1 tbsp | Oil, vinegar, soy sauce |
| 2 tablespoons | 30 ml | 2 tbsp | Dressings, sauces |
| 1/4 cup | 60 ml | 4 tbsp | Small sauce portions |
| 1/3 cup | 80 ml | 5 tbsp + 1 tsp | Salad dressings |
| 1/2 cup | 120 ml | 8 tbsp | Stocks, cream |
| 1 cup | 240 ml | 16 tbsp | Full recipe portions |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many milliliters are in 1 tablespoon?
1 US tablespoon is 14.79 mL and 1 metric tablespoon is 15 mL, so 30 mL is about 2 tablespoons and 45 mL is about 3.
How many tablespoons is 60 mL?
60 mL is about 4 US tablespoons or exactly 4 metric tablespoons, which is 1/4 US cup, useful for measuring oil or sauce.
Should I use US or metric tablespoons here?
Use the standard your recipe was written in. US tablespoons are 14.79 mL and metric are 15 mL, so the difference is tiny for cooking but matters for precise baking.
How many ml is a tablespoon?
One tablespoon equals exactly 15 ml in both the US and metric systems. The UK tablespoon is also 15 ml. An Australian tablespoon is slightly larger at 20 ml. Most modern kitchen measuring spoons sold in metric countries are calibrated at 15 ml per tablespoon, so the conversion is straightforward: multiply the number of tablespoons by 15 to get millilitres.
What is 30 ml in tablespoons?
30 ml equals 2 tablespoons. This is a common amount in recipes for dressings, marinades and sauces. Other quick references: 15 ml = 1 tablespoon, 45 ml = 3 tablespoons, 60 ml = 4 tablespoons (also equal to 1/4 cup).