How Many Tablespoons in 1/2 Cup?
How Many TBSPs are in Half Cup?
If you’ve ever been halfway through a recipe and suddenly realized your ½ cup measuring scoop is missing (or in the dishwasher), you’re not alone. It’s one of those little kitchen moments where you’re staring at your tablespoon and wondering:
“Okay… how many of these do I need to make ½ cup?”
Good news: it’s not complicated. Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense—no confusing math, just real-life kitchen logic, a few charts, and a helpful tip or two along the way.
The Quick Answer
½ cup = 8 tablespoons
That’s it! Just 8 level tablespoons will give you exactly half a cup.
So if your measuring cups are MIA, just grab your tablespoon and count out eight scoops.
Why You Might Need to Know This
Let’s be honest—we don’t always want to dig out every measuring tool in the drawer. Sometimes:
- You only have a tablespoon handy
- You’re scaling a recipe up or down
- You’re trying to avoid using too many dishes (yes, please)
- The kids used your ½ cup to scoop dirt outside (true story)
Knowing how to convert cups to tablespoons can save time—and keep your recipe on track.
Quick Conversion Chart: Cups to Tablespoons
Here’s a simple chart for quick reference:
| Cups | Tablespoons |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | 16 tablespoons |
| ¾ cup | 12 tablespoons |
| ½ cup | 8 tablespoons |
| ⅓ cup | 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon |
| ¼ cup | 4 tablespoons |
| ⅛ cup | 2 tablespoons |
✔ Tip: There are 16 tablespoons in 1 cup, so ½ cup is exactly half of that—8 tablespoons.
Bonus: Tablespoons to Teaspoons (for Smaller Measures)
If you’re working with even smaller amounts, it helps to know:
- 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons
- So ½ cup = 8 tablespoons = 24 teaspoons
Not that anyone wants to measure ½ cup with teaspoons… but hey, it’s good to know in a pinch.
Real-Life Example: Baking Chocolate Chip Cookies
Let’s say your cookie recipe calls for:
- ½ cup of butter
- ½ cup of brown sugar
But your ½ cup scoop is nowhere to be found. No need to stop. Just grab a tablespoon and measure out 8 tablespoons for each one. That’s it. Problem solved, cookies saved.
Handy Tips for Measuring
- Use level scoops: Always level off the top of your tablespoon with a knife or flat edge for accuracy.
- Use dry measuring cups for solids and liquid measuring cups for wet ingredients (this keeps things accurate).
