How Many Tablespoons in 1/3 Cup? (Printable Conversion Chart)
Ever been halfway through a recipe and realized you don’t have a ⅓ cup measuring cup? Don’t panic! You can easily measure ⅓ cup using tablespoons if you know the conversion. In this quick guide, I’ll show you exactly how many tablespoons are in 1/3 cup (both US and metric), give you a simple tablespoons conversion chart for other cup sizes and share a free printable chart you can keep in your kitchen.
How many tablespoons in 1/3 cup?
1/3 cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon
(Or about 5.33 tablespoons, if you want the exact math.)
This works for liquid and dry ingredients when using standard US measuring cups and spoons.
Tablespoons Conversion Chart
| Cup Measurement | Tablespoons | Teaspoons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 16 tbsp | 48 tsp |
| ¾ cup | 12 tbsp | 36 tsp |
| ⅓ cup | 5 tbsp + 1 tsp | 16 tsp |
| ¼ cup | 4 tbsp | 12 tsp |
| ⅛ cup | 2 tbsp | 6 tsp |
Quick Tip: If you’re in the middle of baking and don’t want to do fractions, just measure 5 full tablespoons + 1 teaspoon – close enough for most recipes.
Why This Matters
Knowing basic kitchen conversions is a game changer, especially if:
- Your favorite measuring cup has disappeared into the dishwasher
- You want to scale a recipe up or down
- You bake a lot and prefer using tablespoons for precision
Free Printable Kitchen Conversion Chart
Want to keep these conversions handy? Download my free printable kitchen conversion chart below. It includes cups ⇄ tablespoons ⇄ teaspoons so you can measure with confidence.
Notes from My Kitchen
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been halfway through baking cookies and realized the measuring cup I need is dirty. These quick conversions save me every time and they’re perfect for teaching kids to measure ingredients too (kitchen math lesson!).
FAQ: Measuring 1/3 Cup Without a Measuring Cup
Can I just eyeball 1/3 cup?
Yes, in a pinch! Fill a 1-cup measuring cup roughly one-third full or use 5 tbsp + 1 tsp for accuracy.
Is 1/3 cup the same for wet and dry ingredients?
Yes. As long as you’re using standard measuring cups and spoons, the volume is the same.
What if my recipe is in metric?
1/3 cup = about 80 ml. You can use a liquid measuring jug for exact results.
