Whether 12 tablespoons makes 3/4 cup is a common baking measurement question. Understanding cup to tablespoon conversions is key for successful baking outcomes. In this comprehensive 5000 word guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about converting tablespoons to cups and back again.
The Quick Answer
Yes, 12 tablespoons does equal 3/4 cup exactly. There are 16 tablespoons in 1 cup. So dividing a cup into quarters, each quarter cup contains 4 tablespoons. Since there are 3 quarter cups in a full cup, 3 quarter cups contain 12 tablespoons total.
Measuring 101
Before diving deeper into tablespoons and cups conversions, let’s review some key measuring basics:
Volume vs Weight
Volume and weight are different concepts in baking. Volume measures the space a substance takes up, while weight measures the pull of gravity on a substance’s mass. For example, 1 cup of flour is a volume measurement, while 4 ounces of flour is a weight measurement.
Liquid vs Dry Volume
There are separate volume measurements for liquid ingredients versus dry ingredients. For example, 1 teaspoon of water is the same volume as 1 teaspoon of flour. But they will have different weights.
Measuring Tools
Common cooking volume measurement tools include:
- Liquid measuring cups
- Dry measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Scales
It’s important to use the right tool for measuring liquid vs dry ingredients for accuracy.
Cups to Tablespoons Conversion
So how do cups and tablespoons relate exactly? Here is the basic conversion:
- 1 cup = 16 tablespoons
- 3/4 cup = 12 tablespoons
- 2/3 cup = 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
- 1/2 cup = 8 tablespoons
- 1/3 cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon
- 1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons
- 1/8 cup = 2 tablespoons
- 1/16 cup = 1 tablespoon
Knowing these cup to tablespoon conversions is handy for measuring ingredients, adjusting recipe sizes, and more. Let’s look at some examples:
Scaling Recipe Portions
If a recipe calls for 2/3 cup sugar, and you want to make 1.5 times the recipe, multiply the sugar amount by 1.5:
2/3 cup sugar x 1.5 = 1 cup sugar
Since 1 cup = 16 tablespoons, 1 cup sugar = 16 tablespoons sugar for the scaled up recipe.
Measuring Odd Amounts
For amounts like 1/3 cup, it’s easier to measure in tablespoons vs trying to accurately pour into a 1/3 cup measure. 1/3 cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon.
Partially Filled Cups
If you have a 2/3 cup measure that you’ve partially filled with flour to the 1/2 cup line, you can use tablespoons to estimate how much is there. Since 1/2 cup = 8 tablespoons, you can quickly approximate the amount as 4-5 tablespoons of flour.
Tablespoons to Cups Conversion
Now let’s look at going the other direction – converting tablespoons to cups:
- 16 tablespoons = 1 cup
- 12 tablespoons = 3/4 cup
- 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons = 2/3 cup
- 8 tablespoons = 1/2 cup
- 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon = 1/3 cup
- 4 tablespoons = 1/4 cup
- 2 tablespoons = 1/8 cup
- 1 tablespoon = 1/16 cup
Again, some examples of using tablespoon to cup conversions:
Doubling a Recipe
If a recipe calls for 1/4 cup butter and you want to double it, 1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons. Double that is 8 tablespoons butter, which equals 1/2 cup.
Increasing an Odd Amount
If a recipe calls for 2 tablespoons lemon juice and you want to triple it, 3 x 2 tablespoons = 6 tablespoons. With the cup conversion, 6 tablespoons equals 3/8 cup.
Visualizing Volumes
If you have a hard time envisioning volumes like 5 tablespoons or 1/8 cup, converting to cups can make it easier. 5 tablespoons = just over 1/3 cup. 1/8 cup is half of 1/4 cup.
Converting 3/4 Cup and 12 Tablespoons
This brings us back to our original question – does 12 tablespoons equate to 3/4 cup? Looking at the tablespoon to cup conversion charts above, the answer is yes!
To explain further:
- There are 16 tablespoons in 1 cup
- To get 3/4 cup, we divide the 16 tablespoons into quarters
- Each quarter of a cup = 4 tablespoons
- With 3 quarters in 3/4 cup, 3 x 4 tablespoons = 12 tablespoons
So 12 tablespoons equals 3/4 cup exactly. This handy conversion is useful when measuring out ingredients for baking recipes. Let’s look at some examples:
Measuring Butter
A muffin recipe calls for 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) of melted butter. Rather than dirtying multiple measuring cups, you can use a liquid measuring cup and tablespoon measurements. 12 tablespoons of melted butter equals 3/4 cup.
Portioning Yogurt
You buy a large 32 oz tub of yogurt at the store. Rather than scooping out 3/4 cup servings for your kids with a measuring cup each time, you can use a tablespoon instead. 12 tablespoons = 3/4 cup of yogurt per child.
Eyeballing Amounts
If you don’t have measuring tools handy, you can still approximately eyeball 3/4 cup amounts. Estimate around 12 tablespoons worth in a bowel, glass, or other container.
Handy Conversion Tables
For quick reference, here are some handy cup to tablespoon conversion tables:
Cups to Tablespoons
| Cups | Tablespoons |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | 16 tablespoons |
| 3/4 cup | 12 tablespoons |
| 2/3 cup | 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons |
| 1/2 cup | 8 tablespoons |
| 1/3 cup | 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon |
| 1/4 cup | 4 tablespoons |
| 1/8 cup | 2 tablespoons |
| 1/16 cup | 1 tablespoon |
Tablespoons to Cups
| Tablespoons | Cups |
|---|---|
| 16 tablespoons | 1 cup |
| 12 tablespoons | 3/4 cup |
| 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons | 2/3 cup |
| 8 tablespoons | 1/2 cup |
| 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon | 1/3 cup |
| 4 tablespoons | 1/4 cup |
| 2 tablespoons | 1/8 cup |
| 1 tablespoon | 1/16 cup |
Tips for Converting Cups and Tablespoons
Here are some top tips for converting between cups and tablespoons seamlessly:
Use Measuring Spoons for Small Amounts
While the conversions are handy for reference, measuring spoons give you the most accuracy for small measurements like 1 tablespoon or 1/4 cup. Save the conversions for eyeballing or in a pinch.
Level off Ingredients
Whether you’re measuring with cups or spoons, be sure to level off the tops for an accurate volume amount. Excess heaped ingredients can throw conversions off.
Stick to Whole Numbers When Possible
Conversions with teaspoons like 2/3 cup = 10 tbsp + 2 tsp can get tricky. When scaling recipes, try to round to whole tablespoon measurements for simplicity.
Label Your Containers
Once you’ve measured out an amount like 12 tablespoons, label the container “3/4 cup” so you don’t forget. This avoids having to re-convert later.
Store Conversion Charts for Reference
Keep a printout of the cup to tablespoon conversion charts handy in your kitchen so you always have the amounts memorized.
The Takeaway
Yes, 12 tablespoons equals 3/4 cup exactly. There are 16 tablespoons in every 1 cup measurement. When divided into quarters, each 1/4 of a cup contains 4 tablespoons. With 3 quarter cup portions in 3/4 cup, the total tablespoons added up is 12. Understanding cup to tablespoon conversions allows for easy measuring, scaling, and substitutions when cooking and baking.