tablespoon (metric) (Tbsp)
1 tablespoon (metric) = 0.015 litres
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.
Notes: Cooking measure
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.
When is this conversion used?
Fuel economy, beverage volumes, and liquid measurements frequently require converting between litres and US gallons, especially for automotive and cooking contexts across different markets.
How to convert tablespoon (metric) to litre
To convert tablespoon (metric) to litre, multiply the value by 0.015.
Conversion formula (from base unit)
x * 0.015
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.
| tablespoons (metric) | litres |
|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.0015 |
| 0.5 | 0.0075 |
| 1 | 0.015 |
| 2 | 0.03 |
| 5 | 0.075 |
| 10 | 0.15 |
| 25 | 0.375 |
| 50 | 0.75 |
| 100 | 1.5 |
| 250 | 3.75 |
| 500 | 7.5 |
| 1,000 | 15 |
Common values
| tablespoons (metric) | litres | |
|---|---|---|
| A teaspoon | 0.33333333 tablespoons (metric) | 0.005 litres |
| A cup of coffee | 16.66666667 tablespoons (metric) | 0.25 litres |
| A water bottle | 33.33333333 tablespoons (metric) | 0.5 litres |
| A bathtub | 20,000 tablespoons (metric) | 300 litres |
| A swimming pool (Olympic) | 166,666,666.66666669 tablespoons (metric) | 2,500,000 litres |
Full tablespoon (metric) conversion table
| Unit | Value | Factor |
|---|---|---|
| litre | 1 Tbsp = 0.015 L | × 0.015 |
| millilitre | 1 Tbsp = 15 mL | × 15 |
| US gallon | 1 Tbsp = 0.00396258 gal (US) | × 0.00396258 |
| cubic metre | 1 Tbsp = 0.000015 m³ | × 0.000015 |
| Imperial gallon | 1 Tbsp = 0.00329954 gal (Imp) | × 0.00329954 |
| US fluid ounce | 1 Tbsp = 0.50721034 fl oz (US) | × 0.50721034 |
| Imperial fluid ounce | 1 Tbsp = 0.5279262 fl oz (Imp) | × 0.5279262 |
| teaspoon (metric) | 1 Tbsp = 3 tsp | × 3 |
| cubic centimetre | 1 Tbsp = 15 cm³ | × 15 |