What is teaspoon (metric)?
A metric teaspoon is a volume unit equal to exactly 5 millilitres. It is a standard unit in cooking recipes and pharmaceutical dosing instructions across metric countries.
Real-world uses
The metric teaspoon (5 mL) is used in cooking recipes, pharmaceutical dosing instructions, and nutrition labelling. It is the standard dosing spoon for children's liquid medicines. Most international recipes specify teaspoon measurements assuming the 5 mL metric standard.
History
The teaspoon originated as a unit of apothecary measure in the 18th century, roughly the volume of a small spoon used to stir tea. The metric teaspoon was standardized at exactly 5 mL to align with the metric system and simplify pharmaceutical dosing.
Common mistakes
Confusing the metric teaspoon (5 mL) with the US customary teaspoon (4.929 mL) or the older Imperial teaspoon (3.55 mL). Also, using a household spoon instead of a measuring spoon—actual spoons vary widely in size.
What is US fluid ounce?
A US fluid ounce is a volume unit equal to approximately 29.57 millilitres. It is used in the United States for beverage servings, cooking measurements, and product labelling.
Real-world uses
US fluid ounces are used for beverage labelling (a standard can of soda is 12 fl oz), cooking measurements, and cosmetics packaging in the United States. Cocktail recipes and bartending rely heavily on fluid ounce measurements (a standard shot is 1.5 fl oz).
History
The US fluid ounce derives from the English wine gallon tradition. When the US and UK diverged in measurement standards in the 19th century, their fluid ounces ended up slightly different. The US fluid ounce is defined as 1/128 of a US gallon.
Common mistakes
Confusing US fluid ounces with Imperial fluid ounces—they differ by about 4% (US: 29.57 mL, Imperial: 28.41 mL). Also, confusing fluid ounces (volume) with avoirdupois ounces (weight), which are completely different measurements.
When is this conversion used?
Converting teaspoon (metric) to US fluid ounce is useful in the volume domain when comparing values across different measurement standards or applying formulas that require a specific unit.
Worked examples
1 teaspoon (metric) = 0.16907011 US fluid ounce
1 US fluid ounce = 0.02957353 litre
How to convert teaspoon (metric) to US fluid ounce
To convert teaspoon (metric) to US fluid ounce, multiply the value by 0.16907011.
To convert US fluid ounce back to teaspoon (metric), multiply by 5.91470591.
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: teaspoon (metric) to US fluid ounce
| teaspoon (metric) | US fluid ounce |
|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.01690701 |
| 0.5 | 0.08453506 |
| 1 | 0.16907011 |
| 2 | 0.33814023 |
| 5 | 0.84535057 |
| 10 | 1.69070114 |
| 25 | 4.22675284 |
| 50 | 8.45350568 |
| 100 | 16.90701135 |
| 250 | 42.26752838 |
| 500 | 84.53505675 |
| 1,000 | 169.07011351 |
Common values
| teaspoon (metric) | US fluid ounce | |
|---|---|---|
| A teaspoon | 1 teaspoon (metric) | 0.16907011 US fluid ounce |
| A cup of coffee | 50 teaspoon (metric) | 8.45350568 US fluid ounce |
| A water bottle | 100 teaspoon (metric) | 16.90701135 US fluid ounce |
| A bathtub | 60,000 teaspoon (metric) | 10,144.20681055 US fluid ounce |
| A swimming pool (Olympic) | 500,000,000 teaspoon (metric) | 84,535,056.7546075 US fluid ounce |
Available Volume units
More teaspoon (metric) conversions
- Convert teaspoon (metric) to litre
- Convert teaspoon (metric) to millilitre
- Convert teaspoon (metric) to US gallon
- Convert teaspoon (metric) to cubic metre
- Convert teaspoon (metric) to Imperial gallon
- Convert teaspoon (metric) to US fluid ounce
- Convert teaspoon (metric) to Imperial fluid ounce
- Convert teaspoon (metric) to tablespoon (metric)
- Convert teaspoon (metric) to cubic centimetre