Updated May 31, 2026

Milliliters to Tablespoons Converter

Divide milliliters by 14.787 to get tablespoons. 14.787 mL = 1 tbsp. For example, 30 mL = 2.03 tbsp and 250 mL = 16.9 tbsp (about 1 cup).

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Common Conversions

Key Takeaways

  • 14.787 mL = 1 tablespoon. Divide mL by 14.787.
  • 15 mL is approximately 1 tablespoon (practical rounding).
  • 5 mL = 1 teaspoon (NOT a tablespoon).
  • 30 mL = 2 tablespoons (medicine cup).
  • 250 mL = 16.9 tablespoons (about 1 cup).

How Do You Convert Milliliters to Tablespoons?

Divide milliliters by 14.787 to get tablespoons. The formula is: Tablespoons = mL / 14.787. Equivalently, multiply by 0.067628.

Leah Novak converts a French pastry recipe to American measurements. The recipe calls for 45 mL of vanilla extract. Converting: 45 / 14.787 = 3.04 tablespoons. She measures 3 tablespoons for the batch. For 200 mL of cream: 200 / 14.787 = 13.53 tablespoons, which she rounds to 13.5 tablespoons (just under 1 cup).

Common Kitchen Conversions

Milliliters Tablespoons Other Measure
5 mL0.34 tbsp1 teaspoon
15 mL1.01 tbsp3 teaspoons
30 mL2.03 tbsp1 fluid ounce
60 mL4.06 tbsp0.25 cup
80 mL5.41 tbsp0.33 cup
120 mL8.12 tbsp0.5 cup
180 mL12.17 tbsp0.75 cup
240 mL16.23 tbsp1 cup

Practical Applications

Recipe Translation

Marco Ferreira adapts an Italian recipe that calls for 75 mL of balsamic vinegar = 5.07 tablespoons. He instructs his cooks to use 5 tablespoons and notes the slight difference is negligible in a large batch. For 20 mL of truffle oil = 1.35 tablespoons, he uses 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon.

Medication Administration

Tom Brewer measures liquid vitamins. The bottle recommends 10 mL per dose = 0.68 tablespoons. Rather than trying to measure two-thirds of a tablespoon, he uses the included 10 mL dosing cup for precision. The bottle contains 300 mL = 20.29 tablespoons = 30 doses at 10 mL each.

Cocktail Mixing

Marco Ferreira trains a new bartender. A cocktail recipe from a Japanese bar book lists 22.5 mL of simple syrup = 1.52 tablespoons. He teaches that a standard bar pour is 30 mL (2 tablespoons) and a half pour is 15 mL (1 tablespoon). The recipe calls for a pour and a half of syrup.


Related Calculators

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tablespoons is 15 mL?

Fifteen milliliters equals approximately 1.014 US tablespoons. For cooking purposes, 15 mL is often rounded to exactly 1 tablespoon.

How do I convert mL to tablespoons?

Divide mL by 14.787 to get tablespoons. For example, 30 mL = 2.03 tbsp, 100 mL = 6.76 tbsp, and 250 mL = 16.91 tbsp.

How many mL in 1 tablespoon?

One US tablespoon = 14.787 mL. For practical cooking, this is usually rounded to 15 mL. Medical dosing cups use the precise 14.787 mL value.

Is 5 mL a tablespoon or teaspoon?

5 mL is 1 teaspoon, not 1 tablespoon. A tablespoon is 3 teaspoons = about 15 mL. This distinction is critical for medication dosing.

How many tablespoons in a standard medicine dose cup?

A standard medicine dose cup holds 30 mL = about 2 tablespoons. Most liquid medicines are dosed in mL using the markings on the cup, not tablespoons, for safety.