1/3 Cup to Tbsp (How Many Tablespoons in 1/3 Cup?)
on Mar 21, 2023
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
You may need to convert 1/3 Cup to Tbsp when following a recipe. Not sure how many tablespoons are in 1/3 cup? Keep reading to learn all about converting from one unit of measurement to the other!
Let’s say a recipe calls for 1/3 cup of an ingredient, but you don’t have a measuring cup on hand. Did you know that you can use tablespoons instead? Knowing how to convert 1/3 cup to tbsp can be a lifesaver in the kitchen.
Regardless of if you’re measuring wet ingredients or dry, you can use a tablespoon and teaspoon to measure out 1/3 cup. It’s quite easy to do, but there are a few things to bear in mind. For one, a “cup” means different things depending on if you’re using the metric system, US customary units or another system of measurement.
1/3 Cup to Tablespoons
So, how many tablespoons are in 1/3 cup? As long as the tablespoons and cups belong to the same measurement system, the answer is 5.3 tablespoons or 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon.
If you’re following a recipe from an American cookbook or website, the ingredients are typically measured in the US Customary System (USCS or USC). In Canada and Australia, the metric system is used. Meanwhile, the UK Imperial system is used across the pond. No matter which system is used, there are 5.3 tablespoons in 1/3 cup, as shown below:
Cups | Tablespoons (teaspoons) | Milliliters |
1/3 Cup (USCS) | 5tbsp + 1 teaspoon (USCS) | 78.8 ml |
1/3 Cup (US Legal) | 5tbsp + 1 teaspoon (US Legal) | 80 ml |
1/3 Cup (Metric) | 5tbsp + 1 teaspoon (Metric) | 83 ml |
1/3 Cup (UK Imperial) | 5tbsp + 1 teaspoon (UK Imperial) | 94.7 ml |
Here’s some background information on the different systems of measurement:
- US Legal is the system of measurement used for nutrition information, as required by the FDA. This is what you’ll see on food labels.
- US Customary is the measurement system used in most American cookbooks or recipe websites
- Metric is an international system of measurement used in Canada, Australia and most European countries
- UK Imperial is considered obsolete in most parts of the world, but you may come across it in older British recipes.
As you can see in the table, there is very little difference between the US Legal and US Customary Systems. On the other hand, things can go very wrong if you’re following an American recipe, but you’re using the metric or UK imperial system. Below, you’ll learn how to convert between systems.
Tablespoon to Cup Basic Conversions
As there are 16 tablespoons in a cup, you can use this as a guide to calculate different conversions. Find the different conversions between tablespoons and cups below:
Cups | Tablespoons |
1 cup | 16 tbsp |
3/4 cup | 12 tbsp |
2/3 cup | 10 tbsp + 2 tsp |
1/2 cup | 8 tbsp |
1/3 cup | 5 tbsp + 1 tsp |
1/4 cup | 4 tbsp |
How Many Tablespoons in 1/3 Cup
As a general rule, it takes 5.3 US Customary tablespoons to make up 1/3 US Customary cup. But what if you’re using another type of tablespoon? Here’s how to convert between 1/3 cup and various types of tablespoons.
A 1/3 US Customary cup converts to:
- 5.3 USCS tablespoons
- 5.26 US Legal tablespoons
- 5 Metric tablespoons
- 4.4 UK Imperial tablespoons
If you’re using a metric tablespoon, be sure to have a teaspoon on hand as well.
US Tbsp in 1/3 Cup World
Have you found a British or European recipe that you want to try? Use the table below to convert between US Customary measurements and the metric system or UK imperial system.
Cups (Global) | Tablespoons (USCS) | ml |
1/3 Cup (USCS) | 5.3 tablespoons | 78.8 ml |
1/3 Cup (US Legal) | 5.4 tablespoons | 80 ml |
1/3 Cup (UK Imperial) | 6.4 tablespoons | 94.7 ml |
1/3 Cup Butter in Tbsp
It takes 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon of butter to make 1/3 cup. Butter is much easier to measure if it’s been softened to room temperature. If you prefer to use a scale, you’ll need 78 grams of butter to make up the 1/3 cup.
1/3 Cup Flour in Tbsp
There are 5 level tablespoons and 1 teaspoon in 1/3 cup of flour. You can also use a kitchen scale to weigh out 42 grams of flour.
1/3 Cup Sugar in Tbsp
There are 5 level tablespoons and 1 teaspoon in 1/3 cup of sugar. If the recipe instructs that you need “packed” brown sugar, you’ll need to press it firmly into the tablespoon. 5 packed tablespoons and 1 teaspoon will give you 1/3 packed cup.
Measuring Tips
Follow these tips to get the most accurate measurements in the kitchen:
- Liquids: use a liquid measuring cup to measure wet ingredients. Be sure to place the cup on a flat, level surface instead of holding it in your hands.
- Dry Ingredients: when measuring dry ingredients, it’s best to use a dry measuring cup. Scoop the ingredient until it’s heaping then use a knife or spatula to “shave” off the top so it’s flat. This gives the most accurate measurement.
- Sticky Ingredients: here’s a tip for measuring sticky ingredients like molasses, syrup or honey. Use a bit of oil or cooking spray to grease the inside of the cup before pouring in the ingredient. This prevents it from sticking to the cup.
Remember, you can always add more of an ingredient, but you can’t take it out if you’ve already added too much. Err on the conservative side and then make adjustments as needed.
Tablespoon to Cup Conversion Chart
Need to measure more or less than ¾ cup? Here’s the full breakdown for converting between tablespoons and cups:
- 2 tablespoons = 1/8 cup
- 4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup
- 8 tablespoons = 1/2 cup
- 12 tablespoons = 3/4 cup
- 16 tablespoons = 1 cup
FAQ
How Many Tablespoons is 1/3 Cup Dry?
Even when measuring dry ingredients, 1/3 cup will still be equal to 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon. Since cups and tablespoons are both measurements of volume, they are the same for liquid and dry ingredients.
Can I Use Metric Measurements?
If you only have metric measuring tools on hand, you can still convert from 1/3 cup to tablespoons. Just note that the measurements will be slightly different.
Where Do We Use 1/3 Cup?
You may come across a recipe that requires 1/3 cup of an ingredient. This can be a liquid ingredient like water, oil or vanilla extract. 1/3 cup can also be used to measure out dry ingredients like flour, oats or cocoa powder.
It’s not possible to convert 1/3 cup to ounces, since the cup is a measurement of volume and the ounce is a measurement of weight. For example, a cup of sugar will weigh more than a cup of sugar.
Are Dry and Wet Measurements the Same?
When it comes to cups, teaspoons and tablespoons, there is no difference between wet and dry ingredients. Still, it’s highly recommended that you use a liquid measuring cup for wet ingredients. For dry ingredients, use a dry measuring cup or weigh them with a kitchen scale.
When it comes to ounces, however, there is a big difference between wet and dry ingredients. The ounce is a measurement of weight, whereas the fluid ounce is a measurement of volume.
What’s The Difference Between A Tablespoon And A Dessert Spoon?
A tablespoon is a bit larger than a dessert spoon. In fact, there are 3 dessert spoons per 2 tablespoons. One tablespoon is the equivalent of 15 milliliters or ½ fluid ounce. Meanwhile, a dessert spoon measures 10 milliliters or ⅓ fluid ounces.
You May Also Like
1/3 Cup in Tbsp
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup water, or another liquid
Instructions
- Determine the type of tablespoon you’re using. For US Customary, it should say USCS, UCS or ½ fluid ounce.
- If a recipe calls for 1/3 cup, you can pour the ingredient into the tablespoon or use the spoon to dip. Aim for a full, level tablespoon.
- Pour the ingredient into another container and repeat the process until you have 5 tablespoons.
- Then pour the ingredient into a tablespoon and add to the container.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.