How Many Tablespoons Are in ⅓ Cup?
5.33
US tablespoons
5.56
UK / imperial
The US and imperial systems give different answers to this question. Go by where the recipe is from: American recipes mean 5.33, British and older Commonwealth recipes mean 5.56.
A third of a US cup is 5⅓ tablespoons — the one fraction that does not come out even. In practice you measure it as 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, since a third of a tablespoon is exactly a teaspoon. That trick is why the awkward number is not actually a problem.
⅓ cup in tablespoons, by region
| United States | 5.33 tablespoons |
| UK / imperial (250 ml cup) | 5.56 tablespoons |
| Australia (20 ml tablespoon) | 4.17 tablespoons |
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Frequently asked questions
How many tablespoons are in a third of a cup?
There are 5.33 tablespoons in ⅓ US cup, and 5.56 in the UK/imperial equivalent. American recipes mean the US figure.
What is ⅓ cup in tablespoons exactly?
5⅓ US tablespoons. Measure it as 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon — a third of a tablespoon is exactly one teaspoon, so the remainder lands cleanly.
How many teaspoons in a third of a cup?
Sixteen US teaspoons.
Why do so many recipes use ⅓ cup if it is awkward?
Because it is a natural proportion, not a natural measure — thirds show up constantly in ratios for batters, dressings and doughs. The measuring-cup set includes a ⅓ cup precisely so you never have to work it out in spoons.