Quick answer
1 cup = 8 fluid ounces (exactly) = 16 tablespoons. Use this kitchen measurement conversion chart when you need a direct cup measure in smaller units. 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons (exactly) = 1/2 fluid ounce (exactly), and 1 gallon = 4 quarts = 8 pints = 16 cups.
Last checked: October 29, 2026
Spoons and fluid ounces
Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2018), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement, Units of Capacity or Volume.
| Unit | teaspoons | tablespoons | fluid ounces | metric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon, measuring | 1 | 1/3 tablespoon (exactly) | – | 5 milliliters (rounded) |
| 1 tablespoon, measuring | 3 teaspoons (exactly) | 1 | 1/2 fluid ounce (exactly) | 15 milliliters (rounded) |
| 1 fluid ounce (U.S.) | 6 | 2 tablespoons | 1 | 29.573 milliliters (rounded) |
| 1 cup, measuring | 48 teaspoons | 16 tablespoons | 8 fluid ounces (exactly) | 237 milliliters (rounded) |
A dash means this chart does not list that value.
Use this table when the amount is written in teaspoons, tablespoons, or fluid ounces. Read across the row that matches the unit you already have, then compare the other columns for the same amount in different forms. The metric figures are rounded in the source, so keep the exact wording when a cell says exactly.
Cups, pints, quarts and gallons
Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2018), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement, Units of Capacity or Volume.
| Unit | cups | fluid ounces | metric |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup, measuring | 1 | 8 fluid ounces (exactly) | 237 milliliters (rounded) |
| 1 pint, liquid | 2 cups | 16 fluid ounces | 0.473 liter (rounded) |
| 1 quart, liquid (U.S.) | 4 cups | 32 fluid ounces | 0.946 liter (rounded) |
| 1 gallon (U.S.) | 16 cups | 128 U.S. fluid ounces (exactly) | 3.785 liters (rounded) |
Use this table when the amount is written in cups, pints, quarts, or gallons. Find the row for the unit you have and read across to the unit you need. Keep the exact relationships as written, and use the metric column when you want the rounded metric value from NIST Handbook 44.
How to measure or use the chart
- Start with the unit already shown in your recipe or note. Then move across the matching row until you reach the unit you need.
- Choose the table by unit family. Use the spoon table for teaspoons, tablespoons, and fluid ounces, and use the cup table for cups, pints, quarts, and gallons.
- Read the exact line when the table says exactly. That tells you the amount is given as an exact relationship in NIST Handbook 44.
- Check the unit name before you convert. A teaspoon, a tablespoon, a fluid ounce, a cup, a pint, a quart, and a gallon each have its own row.
- If you need a rounded metric value, read the metric column in the same row. If you need the U.S. volume relationship, stay in the same row and use the nonmetric columns.
Worked example: 1 tablespoon, measuring = 3 teaspoons (exactly) = 1/2 fluid ounce (exactly) = 15 milliliters (rounded). Use this when you need the spoon measure written in teaspoons, fluid ounces, or metric form.
Quick reference
- 1 teaspoon, measuring = 1/3 tablespoon (exactly) = 5 milliliters (rounded)
- 1 tablespoon, measuring = 3 teaspoons (exactly) = 1/2 fluid ounce (exactly) = 15 milliliters (rounded)
- 1 fluid ounce (U.S.) = 29.573 milliliters (rounded)
- 1 cup, measuring = 8 fluid ounces (exactly) = 1/2 liquid pint (exactly) = 237 milliliters (rounded)
- 1 pint, liquid = 0.473 liter (rounded)
- 1 quart, liquid (U.S.) = 0.946 liter (rounded)
- 1 gallon (U.S.) = 128 U.S. fluid ounces (exactly) = 3.785 liters (rounded)
- 1 gallon = 4 quarts = 8 pints = 16 cups = 128 fluid ounces
Things people get wrong
- Do not swap teaspoons and tablespoons. The source says 1 teaspoon is 1/3 tablespoon, while 1 tablespoon is 3 teaspoons.
- Do not treat a cup as a pint. The source says 1 cup, measuring = 8 fluid ounces (exactly) = 1/2 liquid pint (exactly).
- Do not read rounded metric numbers as exact. NIST notes that decimal values are rounded unless the table says exactly.
Frequently asked questions
How many tablespoons are in a cup?
1 cup, measuring = 16 tablespoons. Use this when you need to change a cup amount into spoon measures.
How many cups are in a quart?
1 quart, liquid (U.S.) = 4 cups. Use this when a recipe or chart gives the amount in quarts.
How many cups are in a gallon?
1 gallon (U.S.) = 16 cups. Use this when you need to break a gallon into cup measures.
How many fluid ounces are in a pint?
1 pint, liquid = 16 fluid ounces. Use this when you are working from pints to smaller liquid units.
Why are the metric numbers rounded?
NIST notes that decimal values are rounded unless the table says exactly. Use the metric figures when you need a close metric match from NIST Handbook 44.
