There is often confusion around the measurement of volume in cooking and baking, specifically when it comes to understanding the difference between an ounce, a tablespoon, and a teaspoon. An ounce is a unit of weight, while a tablespoon and teaspoon are units of volume. So how do they relate to each other? Let’s break it down.
Quick Answers
– 1 ounce of liquid is equal to 2 tablespoons OR 6 teaspoons.
– 1 tablespoon is equal to 3 teaspoons.
– 1 teaspoon is equal to 1/3 tablespoon.
– Ounces measure weight, while tablespoons and teaspoons measure volume.
Ounces vs. Tablespoons vs. Teaspoons
An ounce (oz) is a unit of weight, equal to 28 grams or about 30 mL. In the kitchen, ounces are most often used to measure solid foods like meat, cheese, pasta, etc.
A tablespoon (tbsp) is a unit of volume equal to 15 mL or 3 teaspoons. As the name suggests, it is about the amount of liquid or dry ingredient that would fit on the end of a tablespoon utensil.
A teaspoon (tsp) is smaller unit of volume equal to 5 mL or 1/3 of a tablespoon. It is approximately the amount of liquid or dry ingredient that would fit on the end of a teaspoon utensil.
So while ounces measure the weight of an ingredient, tablespoons and teaspoons measure the volume. Specifically:
– 1 oz of liquid = 2 tbsp = 6 tsp
– 1 tbsp = 3 tsp
– 1 tsp = 1/3 tbsp
This means if you have 1 ounce or 30 mL of a liquid like water, it would take up the volume of 2 tablespoons or 6 teaspoons.
Ounce Weight vs. Volume
The relationship between ounces and tablespoons/teaspoons holds true for liquids, but not for dry ingredients. For example:
– 1 oz of water (by weight) = 2 tbsp (by volume)
– But 1 oz of flour (by weight) does not equal 2 tbsp (by volume)
This is because flour is denser and more compact than water. One ounce of flour by weight takes up less space than 1 ounce or 30 mL of water, closer to about 2 tablespoons.
So for dry ingredients like flour, sugar, spices, etc., you cannot reliably convert between ounces by weight and tablespoons/teaspoons by volume. Measuring dry ingredients by weight (with a kitchen scale) is actually much more accurate than trying to spoon it into a measuring spoon.
Metric Conversions
The conversions between ounces, tablespoons, and teaspoons in metric measurements are:
– 1 ounce = 30 mL
– 1 tablespoon = 15 mL
– 1 teaspoon = 5 mL
So if you had 30 mL of liquid, this would be equivalent to:
– 1 ounce
– 2 tablespoons
– 6 teaspoons
And if you had 15 mL of liquid, this would be equal to:
– 1 tablespoon
– 3 teaspoons
United States Customary System Conversions
For U.S. customary measurements, the conversions are:
– 1 ounce = 1.805 tablespoons = 5.914 teaspoons
– 1 tablespoon = 0.531 ounces = 3 teaspoons
– 1 teaspoon = 0.167 ounces = 1/3 tablespoon
So 1 ounce works out to just slightly more than 2 tablespoons or 6 teaspoons in the U.S. system.
Examples Comparing Ounces, Tablespoons and Teaspoons
Here are some examples to illustrate the conversions:
Example 1
If a recipe calls for 2 ounces of water, how many tablespoons is that?
2 oz water x (2 tbsp / 1 oz) = 4 tbsp
So 2 ounces of water is equal to 4 tablespoons.
Example 2
If you need to measure 1/4 cup or 4 tablespoons of milk, how many teaspoons would that be?
4 tbsp milk x (3 tsp / 1 tbsp) = 12 tsp
So 4 tablespoons of milk equals 12 teaspoons.
Example 3
How many ounces is 3 tablespoons of olive oil?
3 tbsp olive oil x (1 oz / 2 tbsp) = 1.5 oz
So 3 tablespoons of olive oil is equal to 1.5 ounces in weight.
Common Conversions
Here is a table summarizing some common conversions between ounces, tablespoons, and teaspoons for liquid ingredients:
| Ounces | Tablespoons | Teaspoons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | 2 tbsp | 6 tsp |
| 2 oz | 4 tbsp | 12 tsp |
| 4 oz (1/4 cup) | 8 tbsp | 24 tsp |
| 8 oz (1/2 cup) | 16 tbsp | 48 tsp |
| 16 oz (1 cup) | 32 tbsp | 96 tsp |
As you can see from the conversions, 1 ounce equals 2 tablespoons which is 6 teaspoons. This relationship stays consistent no matter how large the quantity is.
Converting Within and Between Systems
Sometimes you may need to convert measurements within the same system, like teaspoons to tablespoons, or between metric and U.S. customary systems.
Here are some tips:
– To convert within the same system, use the ratios above. For example, multiply teaspoons by 3 to get tablespoons, or divide tablespoons by 3 to get teaspoons.
– To go from metric to U.S. customary, multiply mL by 0.2028 to get teaspoons or 0.0676 to get tablespoons.
– To go from U.S. customary to metric, multiply tablespoons by 14.787 to get mL or teaspoons by 4.929 to get mL.
So if you had 15 mL and wanted to convert to tablespoons, you would do:
15 mL x (0.0676 tbsp/1 mL) = 1.014 tbsp
Or approximately 1 tablespoon.
Using Volume vs. Weight in Baking
When it comes to precision in baking, measuring by weight is actually much more accurate than measuring by volume using spoons. This is because the density and packing level of ingredients can vary, throwing off volume measures.
For example, 1 cup of loosely packed brown sugar weighs much less than 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar. So your baked goods may not turn out as expected.
That’s why most professional bakers recommend using a kitchen scale to weigh ingredients rather than relying on spoon measurements.
However, when scaling recipe sizes up or down, you can use the conversions above to easily figure out how many ounces, tablespoons, or teaspoons you need of each ingredient.
Tips for Measuring
– Use liquid measuring cups for liquids like milk, oil, water, etc. Check the measurements at eye level for accuracy.
– Use graduated dry measuring cups for dry ingredients like flour, sugar, oats. Spoon ingredients in and level off the top using a straight edge.
– Use measuring spoons for small amounts of liquid or dry ingredients. Level off ingredients.
– Weigh ingredients like meat, cheese, pasta, etc. whenever possible for accuracy.
– Refer to the conversions above when adjusting recipe sizes.
Conclusion
While an ounce measures the weight of an ingredient, tablespoons and teaspoons measure the volume. Specifically:
– 1 fluid ounce = 2 tablespoons = 6 teaspoons
– 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons
– 1 teaspoon = 1/3 tablespoon
This relationship only holds true for liquid ingredients. For dry ingredients, you cannot reliably convert between weight (ounces) and volume (tablespoons and teaspoons). Measuring dry ingredients by weight is actually much more precise.
Knowing the conversions between ounces, tablespoons, and teaspoons allows you to easily scale recipe sizes up or down. Refer to the handy reference chart above when making adjustments in your kitchen.
And remember, for the most accuracy it’s best to use the appropriate measuring tools for liquids vs. dry ingredients. Follow these tips for success in all your baking endeavors!
