There are 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon in 1/3 cup. This guide explains the conversion, how to measure it accurately with common tools, and how to scale recipes when you only have tablespoons or teaspoons on hand.
Standard US Conversion
In US customary measurements, 1 cup equals 16 tablespoons. Dividing that into thirds gives about 5.33 tablespoons per 1/3 cup. In practice, this is most accurately measured as 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, which closely approximates the true fractional amount for cooking and baking.
Metric vs US Measurements
A US tablespoon is approximately 14.79 milliliters, while a metric tablespoon used in some countries is 15 milliliters. A US 1/3 cup is about 78.86 milliliters. If you are using a metric tablespoon, 1/3 cup is roughly 5 metric tablespoons plus 2.5 milliliters. For most home cooks, using 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon of the standard US measuring set is sufficiently accurate.
How to Measure 1/3 Cup with Tablespoons
Use a level tablespoon and fill it to a full tablespoon each time to keep consistency. If you do not have a 1/3 cup measure, combining 5 level tablespoons plus 1 level teaspoon gives a close equivalent. For greater accuracy, level each spoon with a straight edge such as a knife.
Practical Tips for Accuracy
- Use level spoons, not heaping spoonfuls.
- For small differences, remember 1 teaspoon is 1/3 of a tablespoon.
- When precision matters, such as for baking, try to use a 1/3 cup measure or weigh ingredients when a scale is available.
Common Recipe Adjustments
When adapting recipes, knowing how many tablespoons are in 1/3 cup helps if you only have tablespoons on hand. You can also scale portions up or down by converting between cups, tablespoons, and teaspoons based on the same ratios.
Scaling Reference Table
| Original Volume | US Tablespoons | US Teaspoons | Metric (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 cup | 4 tablespoons | 12 teaspoons | about 59 ml |
| 1/3 cup | 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon | 16 teaspoons | about 79 ml |
| 1/2 cup | 8 tablespoons | 24 teaspoons | about 118 ml |
| 2/3 cup | 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons | 32 teaspoons | about 158 ml |
| 3/4 cup | 12 tablespoons | 36 teaspoons | about 177 ml |
| 1 cup | 16 tablespoons | 48 teaspoons | about 237 ml |
Summary
To answer the question directly: 1/3 cup equals 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon. This conversion is based on the standard US measure where 1 cup equals 16 tablespoons. For best results, measure level spoonfuls and, when precision is critical, prefer a 1/3 cup measure or a kitchen scale.
FAQ
Reader questions
Does 1/3 Cup Equal 5 or 6 Tablespoons?
1/3 cup equals 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, not 6 full tablespoons. Using 6 tablespoons would be slightly more than 1/3 cup and can change the balance of liquids or dry ingredients in a recipe.
How Many Teaspoons Are in 1/3 Cup?
There are 16 teaspoons in 1/3 cup. This is equivalent to 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, since 1 tablespoon contains 3 teaspoons.
Can I Use a 1/3 Cup Measure Instead of Tablespoons?
Yes, if you have a 1/3 cup measure, it is often more accurate and faster to use that directly. When you only have tablespoons, use 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon as a practical alternative. The United Kingdom typically uses the same tablespoon size as the United States for culinary purposes, so 1/3 cup to tablespoons is effectively identical in home cooking. Some nutrition labels may use a 20 ml tablespoon, but the difference is minimal for recipes.