How many ounces in a tablespoon? The answer is there are 0.5 ounces in a tablespoon. Learn how to convert how many tablespoons in an ounce further and grab my free kitchen conversion chart.
How many ounces in a tablespoon is a question essential in both cooking and baking within the US customary system of measurement. If 1 tablespoon equals 0.5 ounces, how many tablespoon in 1 oz? The answer is 2 tbsp.
Both ounces and tablespoons measure small amounts of dry and liquid ingredients, such as ground spices or liquid vanilla.
Learning how to convert ounces (oz) to tablespoons (tbsp) is important when you want to adjust a recipe. This helpful article is another within our cooking conversions series to help you navigate and scale up or down all recipes with ease.
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How Many Ounces in a Tablespoon?
The answer is 1 tablespoon equals 0.5 ounces or rather 1 tablespoon is equal to half an ounce.
That means that if you were to measure vanilla extract, for instance, 0.5 fluid ounces would be equal to 1 tablespoon of extract. Or if you are baking a large cake, you might want 2 tablespoons of vanilla and that would equal 1 ounce.
What is an Ounce?
What is an ounce? An ounce is a measurement for liquids or dry ingredients with the imperial system of measurement used by the United States. It is abbreviated as "oz" and is used to measure amounts that are small. When liquids are measured, we employ fluid ounces labeled as "fl oz". The Romans called it "uncia" which means one-twelfth. When we refer to ounces in cooking and baking, we measure dry ingredients in ounces and we measure wet ingredients in fluid ounces.
What is a Tablespoon?
What is a tablespoon? A tablespoon is a common unit of measurement used in cooking and baking within the US customary system. Sometimes it is abbreviated as "tablespoon", "tbs", or sometimes a capital "T". The tablespoon used is a formal tool usually part of a set. It is not the tablespoon used in a table setting at the dinner table. Romans used spoons made from bones and wood but they were still close to the amount of tablespoon we use today.
Fluid Oz in a Tablespoon
The tablespoon used today is worth 0.5 ounces under the imperial system or 15 milliliters under the metric system. So if a recipe calls for a certain number of tablespoons and you want to determine the amount in ounces, simply divide the number of tablespoons by 2.
#tablespoons ÷ 2= # ounces
#tablespoons = #ounces x 2
To take it further, and move away from a fraction of ounces, 2 tablespoons equal 1 ounce. Here are some more examples of ounces converted to tablespoons:
1 Ounce = 2 Tablespoons
2 Ounces = 4 Tablespoons
4 Ounces = 8 Tablespoons
6 Ounces = 12 Tablespoons
8 Ounces = 16 Tablespoons
10 Ounces = 20 Tablespoons
Converting to Metric
While the United States uses the imperial system, or US customary system, the rest of the world uses the metric system. Within that system, grams are used instead of ounces. So 0.5 ounces is equal to 15 milliliters
📌Fluid Oz in A Tablespoon Conversion Chart
| ounces (fluid) | tablespoons |
|---|---|
| 0.5 fl oz | 1 tbsp |
| 1 fl oz | 2 tbsp |
| 1.5 fl oz | 3 tbsp |
| 2 fl oz | 4 tablespoon = ¼ cup |
| 4 fl oz | 8 tablespoon = ½ cup |
| 6 fl oz | 12 tablespoon = ¾ cup |
| 8 fl oz | 16 tablespoon = 1 cup |
| 16 fl oz | 32 tablespoon = 2 cups = 1 pint |
| 32 fl oz | 64 tablespoon = 4 cups = 2 pints |
How to Measure Ounces & Tablespoons
When measuring for ounces or tablespoons, use the proper tools.
When a recipe refers to a liquid ingredient in ounces, it’s referring to fluid ounces and should be measured in a glass liquid measuring cup. When a dry ingredient is listed in ounces, it means it’s the weight measurement unit and you’ll need to use a digital kitchen scale.
To measure fluid ounces using the glass cup, be sure the ounce markings are clear. Pour in the liquid and eyeball that the liquid meets the proper ounce line, noting that the center dip of the meniscus hits the line.
To measure ounces using the scale, set a container on the scale and tap the button so the scale is set to zero with the container's weight zero-ed out. Then add the ingredient amount and note the measurement in ounces.
To measure tablespoons, use metal measuring spoons for either dry or wet ingredients. Scoop the amount you need into the spoon or pour if it is a liquid. For dry ingredients, level off with the blunt side of a knife.
If you want to overfill a tablespoon, that is allowed if the recipe calls for it to be a "heaping" tablespoon.
Common Ingredients in Ounces/Tbsp
| ingredient | ounces | tablespoons |
|---|---|---|
| butter | 8 oz | 16 tbsp |
| sugar | 7 oz | 16 tbsp |
| maple syrup | 12 oz | 16 tbsp |
| flour | 4.5 oz | 16 tbsp |
| oats | 3.16 oz | 16 tbsp |
| brown sugar | 6 ⅓ oz | 16 tbsp |
| powdered sugar | 4.25 oz | 16 tbsp |
| coconut oil (solid) | 8 oz | 16 tbsp |
📌Free Kitchen Measuring Conversion Chart
Download my free kitchen measuring conversion chart and either post it on your refrigerator, or laminate it and add it to your recipe notebook. It can be a handy reference when you want to convert measurements to adjust a recipe, both imperial or metric.
FAQS
Yes, 2 tablespoons equal 1 ounce based on the U.S. Imperial system.
No, 4 tablespoons do not equal 1 ounce. 2 tablespoons are equal to 1 ounce.
A tablespoon of butter equals ½ ounce.
There are 6 teaspoons in 1 ounce.
More Cooking Conversions
If you found this basic kitchen measurement post helpful, you might also like some of my other cooking conversion posts including how many tablespoons in ¼ cup.
Also, if you visit any other articles or recipes on my website, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 review on a recipe or a 📝 comment here if you have thoughts or questions.
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