How Many Tablespoons in a Cup?

How Many Tablespoons in a Cup? (Because Sometimes That’s All You’ve Got Clean)

Okay, let’s set the scene. You’re halfway through a recipe, the sink is full of dirty dishes, and the only clean measuring tool in the drawer is… a tablespoon. Classic.

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Now you’re wondering:
“How many tablespoons are in a cup again?”
No judgment, mama — we’ve all been there. Whether you’re baking cookies with the kids, doubling a recipe for dinner, or making that last-minute frosting you forgot about (whoops), knowing this quick kitchen conversion can be a total lifesaver.

Quick Answer:

There are 16 tablespoons in 1 cup.

Yep! If you ever need to measure out a cup using only a tablespoon (or you’re cutting a recipe in half or quarters), just remember:
1 cup = 16 tablespoons

Tablespoon to Cup Conversions at a Glance:

Here’s a super handy breakdown for when you’re working through a recipe and don’t feel like doing the math:

1 cup = 16 tablespoons
¾ cup = 12 tablespoons
½ cup = 8 tablespoons
⅓ cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon
¼ cup = 4 tablespoons
1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons

I like to tape this kind of stuff inside a cabinet door — makes life so much easier when you’re in the middle of cooking chaos.

Why You’ll Actually Use This More Than You Think:

You might be thinking: “How often do I even use tablespoons instead of cups?” But trust me, this little conversion pops up all the time:

When you’re baking and realize your 1-cup measurer is in the dishwasher
When a recipe calls for a weird measurement like ¾ cup of something
When you’re halving a recipe and need half of ¼ cup
When your kid suddenly needs to measure something for their school project
Or when you’re making homemade salad dressing, spice mixes, or marinades — and the measurements are all over the place

Basically, knowing how many tablespoons are in a cup = kitchen superpowers.