How Many Tablespoons in an Ounce?
2 tbsp
There are 2 tablespoons in 1 US fluid ounce (29.57 ml).
UK: 1 imperial fluid ounce (28.41 ml) = 1.894 tbsp
Exact: 1 fl oz = 2 tbsp
Ounces to Tablespoons conversion chart
| Ounces | Tablespoons |
|---|---|
| one half fluid ounce | 1 |
| 1 fl oz | 2 |
| 1 and one half fluid ounces | 3 |
| 2 fl oz | 4 |
| 3 fl oz | 6 |
| 4 fl oz | 8 |
| 5 fl oz | 10 |
| 6 fl oz | 12 |
| 8 fl oz | 16 |
| 10 fl oz | 20 |
| 12 fl oz | 24 |
| 16 fl oz | 32 |
| 16.9 fl oz | 33.8 |
| 20 fl oz | 40 |
| 24 fl oz | 48 |
| 32 fl oz | 64 |
| 40 fl oz | 80 |
| 48 fl oz | 96 |
| 64 fl oz | 128 |
| 96 fl oz | 192 |
| 100 fl oz | 200 |
| 128 fl oz | 256 |
How to convert ounces to tablespoons
tablespoons = fluid ounces × 2
Example: 12 fl oz × 2 = 24 tbsp.
Double the number of fluid ounces. By definition a US tablespoon is exactly half an ounce, so there is nothing to round. On this page, ounces are US fluid ounces, the kind used for liquids.
For 2 1/2 fl oz of heavy cream, 2 1/2 × 2 = 5 tablespoons. Recipes and drink specs that list small liquids in ounces are easier to follow with a spoon than with a cup.
Past about 4 fl oz, a cup measure is quicker. 6 fl oz would be 12 tablespoons, or simply 3/4 cup.
US vs UK fluid ounces and tablespoons
Outside the US, both units change size. British and Canadian tablespoons are metric at 15 ml, and the British fluid ounce is the imperial one of 28.41 ml, so two spoonfuls (30 ml) slightly overfill it.
In Australia the tablespoon holds 20 ml. One US fluid ounce there is only about 1.5 tablespoons, so an Australian spoon count needs converting before you pour.
For most drinks the differences hardly matter. For salty or strong liquids such as soy sauce or fish sauce, measure with the spoons the recipe was written for.
| Unit | Size | Used in |
|---|---|---|
| US fluid ounce | 29.57 ml | US |
| imperial fluid ounce | 28.41 ml | UK |
| US tablespoon | 14.79 ml | US |
| metric tablespoon | 15 ml | UK, Canada, New Zealand |
| Australian tablespoon | 20 ml | Australia |
Measuring cocktail pours with a tablespoon
A tablespoon works as a stand-in jigger when a cocktail recipe gives its pours in ounces:
- 1/2 fl oz = 1 tablespoon
- 3/4 fl oz = 1 1/2 tablespoons
- 1 1/2 fl oz = 3 tablespoons
- 2 fl oz = 4 tablespoons
Fill the spoon right to the rim and tip it into the shaker in one motion. For standard shot sizes in the US and UK, see how many ounces are in a shot.
Ounces and tablespoons: questions
Does 2 tablespoons equal 1 oz?
Yes, for liquids: 2 tablespoons make 1 fluid ounce. By weight it depends on the food. USDA figures put 2 tablespoons of butter at about 1 oz, while the same spoonfuls of all-purpose flour weigh about 0.6 oz.
Does 4 tbsp equal 1 oz?
No. 4 tablespoons hold 2 fluid ounces, which is the same as 1/4 cup. One fluid ounce takes half as many spoonfuls, so four would double the liquid.
Does 2 teaspoons equal 1 oz?
No. It takes 6 teaspoons to fill a fluid ounce, so 2 teaspoons are only 1/3 fluid ounce. Reading tsp as tbsp is an easy way to end up with this mistake.
Are 1 oz and 1 tbsp the same?
No. A tablespoon holds 14.8 ml and a fluid ounce holds 29.6 ml. Using one in place of the other halves or doubles that liquid in the recipe.
Is 3 tablespoons equal to 1 oz?
No. 3 tablespoons come to 1 1/2 fluid ounces, half an ounce more than you want. Leave out one spoonful to get a single fluid ounce.
Related conversions
Sources: Unit definitions: NIST Handbook 44 · Last reviewed · Report an error
https://howmanyounces.com/ounces-to-tablespoons/