What is tablespoon (metric)?
A metric tablespoon is a volume unit equal to exactly 15 millilitres. It is widely used in cooking recipes in metric countries as a convenient measure for sauces, oils, and seasonings.
Real-world uses
The metric tablespoon (15 mL) is used in cooking recipes worldwide, particularly for oil, vinegar, sauces, and spices. It is also a common dosing measure for adult liquid medicines. Nutritional databases often list serving sizes in tablespoons.
History
The tablespoon evolved from the table or serving spoon and was adopted as a cooking measure. The metric tablespoon was standardized at 15 mL (3 metric teaspoons). In Australia, the tablespoon was standardized at 20 mL, creating a regional exception.
Common mistakes
Assuming a tablespoon is always 15 mL—the Australian tablespoon is 20 mL, and the US customary tablespoon is 14.79 mL. Failing to check which standard a recipe uses can alter the outcome of precise baking recipes.
What is cubic centimetre?
A cubic centimetre is a metric unit of volume equal to one thousandth of a litre, or 1 millilitre. It is used in medicine, engine displacement specifications, and precise scientific measurements.
Real-world uses
Cubic centimetres are used for engine displacement (e.g., a 250 cc motorcycle engine), medical syringe volumes (often marked "cc"), and laboratory measurements. Small container volumes and 3D printing material estimates are expressed in cm³.
History
The cubic centimetre was the standard volume unit in the CGS system. The abbreviation "cc" became entrenched in automotive and medical fields. The JCAHO (now The Joint Commission) recommended against "cc" in medical prescriptions to reduce errors, though it persists.
Common mistakes
Using "cc" interchangeably with mL is technically acceptable (they are equal), but some medical institutions discourage "cc" because it can be misread as "00" in handwritten prescriptions.
When is this conversion used?
Converting tablespoon (metric) to cubic centimetre is useful in the volume domain when comparing values across different measurement standards or applying formulas that require a specific unit.
Worked examples
1 tablespoon (metric) = 15 cubic centimetre
1 cubic centimetre = 0.001 litre
How to convert tablespoon (metric) to cubic centimetre
To convert tablespoon (metric) to cubic centimetre, multiply the value by 15.
To convert cubic centimetre back to tablespoon (metric), multiply by 0.06666667.
Measurement standards
The cubic metre is the SI derived unit of volume. The litre, equal to exactly one cubic decimetre (0.001 m³), is accepted by the BIPM for use alongside SI units. Both the lowercase "l" and uppercase "L" are approved symbols for the litre.
Did you know?
An Olympic swimming pool holds 2,500 cubic metres of water — about 2.5 million litres. The Amazon River discharges roughly 209,000 cubic metres per second, enough to fill 84 Olympic pools every single second.
Quick reference: tablespoon (metric) to cubic centimetre
| tablespoon (metric) | cubic centimetre |
|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.5 |
| 0.5 | 7.5 |
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 30 |
| 5 | 75 |
| 10 | 150 |
| 25 | 375 |
| 50 | 750 |
| 100 | 1,500 |
| 250 | 3,750 |
| 500 | 7,500 |
| 1,000 | 15,000 |
Common values
| tablespoon (metric) | cubic centimetre | |
|---|---|---|
| A teaspoon | 0.33333333 tablespoon (metric) | 5 cubic centimetre |
| A cup of coffee | 16.66666667 tablespoon (metric) | 250 cubic centimetre |
| A water bottle | 33.33333333 tablespoon (metric) | 500 cubic centimetre |
| A bathtub | 20,000 tablespoon (metric) | 300,000 cubic centimetre |
| A swimming pool (Olympic) | 166,666,666.66666669 tablespoon (metric) | 2.500000e+09 cubic centimetre |
Available Volume units
More tablespoon (metric) conversions
- Convert tablespoon (metric) to litre
- Convert tablespoon (metric) to millilitre
- Convert tablespoon (metric) to US gallon
- Convert tablespoon (metric) to cubic metre
- Convert tablespoon (metric) to Imperial gallon
- Convert tablespoon (metric) to US fluid ounce
- Convert tablespoon (metric) to Imperial fluid ounce
- Convert tablespoon (metric) to teaspoon (metric)
- Convert tablespoon (metric) to cubic centimetre