TSP vs TBSP: Difference and Comparison

The teaspoon and tablespoon are both cutlery and units of measurement, but what is the difference between a teaspoon and a tablespoon (TSP vs TBSP)?

While a teaspoon is abbreviated as TSP, a tablespoon is abbreviated as TBSP or TBS. The teaspoon is the smaller kitchen utensil, while the tablespoon is the bigger one.

Both the teaspoon and tablespoon are units of measurement, with three teaspoons equal to one tablespoon. If there is an instruction to follow to make a recipe for baking, it’s important to get all measurements accurately.

We will be discussing the differences between a teaspoon and a tablespoon, but first, what is a teaspoon?

What Is a Teaspoon?

The teaspoon is a kitchen utensil that is smaller than the tablespoon and often used in stirring hot or cold beverages in a cup. It’s also used as a unit of measurement, especially for baking and cooking ingredients.

The teaspoon is a smaller type of spoon on the list of spoons.

Spoons have been part of the kitchen cutlery for a long time. Although the teaspoon is relatively new, its origin traces back to the British colonial era.

During this period, tea became a household drink and so the teaspoon became popular.

It was difficult for people to stir sugar in a hot cup of tea with large spoons. Creating the teaspoon solved this problem.

The teaspoon is a unit of measurement often used to measure small cooking ingredients or a recipe for baking. It’s usually the third spoon in a set of measuring spoons, then there is the ½ teaspoon and a ¼ teaspoon.

Teaspoon abbreviation

Generally, TSP is the most common abbreviation for teaspoon. Sometimes TSPN is used or you will just see a lowercase “t”.

Teaspoon conversion

Below are teaspoon conversions.

¾ teaspoons = ¼ tablespoon
3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
6 teaspoons = 1/8 cup
12 teaspoons = ¼ cup
24 teaspoons = ½ cup
36 teaspoons = ¾ cup
48 teaspoons = 1 cup

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What Is a Tablespoon?

The tablespoon is the bigger spoon compared to the teaspoon. It’s part of the kitchen cutlery used for eating different types of dishes. The tablespoon is also a unit of measurement for cooking and baking.

It falls in the medium types of spoon in the list of spoons. As a unit of measurement, the tablespoon is among the most common measuring tools used in a commercial kitchen.

The tablespoon is the largest spoon in a set of measuring spoons. One tablespoon will give three teaspoons and 1/16 cup.

Spoons have been part of the kitchen cutlery for a very long time. Its history traces back centuries ago, as historians found archaeological evidence in ancient Egyptian civilization.

The tablespoon became popular in the continent of Europe during the Renaissance period. The rich people in Europe used tablespoons to eat during this period.

The tablespoon became a popular household kitchen utensil after the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century. Today there is a large-scale production of tablespoons and it’s now a kitchen cutlery for every household.

Tablespoon abbreviation

The tablespoon is often abbreviated as Tbsp or sometimes as tbsp, tbl, or tbs. T or TB is also used as the abbreviation of a tablespoon.

Tablespoon conversions

Below is a conversion list for a tablespoon.

1 tablespoon = 1/16 cup
2 tablespoons = 1/8 cup
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons =1/6 cup
4 tablespoons = ¼ cup
5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon = 1/3 cup
8 tablespoons = ½ cup
10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons = 2/3 cup
12 tablespoons = ¾ cup
16 tablespoons = 1 cup

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TSP vs TBSP: Differences between a Teaspoon and a Tablespoon

Let’s look at some of the differences between a teaspoon and a tablespoon.

The teaspoon is the smaller spoon that is often used for stirring hot tea or coffee. It’s also used as a unit of measurement, especially for cooking ingredients or baking recipes.

The tablespoon on the other hand is the largest spoon in a set of measuring spoons. It’s a kitchen cutlery used for serving food and also for eating.

For measuring purposes, the teaspoon is used to measure small quantities of cooking ingredients or baking recipes, while the tablespoon is used to measure larger quantities of cooking ingredients or recipes for baking.

TSP vs TBSP: Comparison Chart

	Teaspoon	Tablespoon
Definition	The teaspoon is a kitchen utensil that is smaller than the tablespoon and often used in stirring hot or cold beverages in a cup.	The tablespoon on the other hand is the largest spoon in a set of measuring spoons.
Abbreviation	tsp, TSPN, t	Tbsp, tbsp., tbl, tbs, T, or TB
Started existing	During the British colonial era	During the Renaissance period
Length	3.5 inches to 4.5 inches	5 inches to 6 inches
Capacity	5 millilitres	15 millilitres
Size	Smaller	Medium

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TSP vs TBSP: Conversion Table

The conversion chart below shows important measurements for baking and cooking.

Teaspoon	Tablespoon	Cup	U.S. Fluid OZ	Millilitres
3 teaspoons	1 tablespoon	1/16^th cup	½ oz.	15 millilitres
6 teaspoons	2 tablespoons	1/8^th cup	1 oz.	30 millilitres
12 teaspoons	4 tablespoons	1/4^th cup	2 oz.	59.15 millilitres
24 teaspoons	8 tablespoons	1/2th cup	4 oz.	118.29 millilitres
36 teaspoons	12 tablespoons	3/4^th cup	6 oz.	177 millilitres
48 teaspoons	16 tablespoons	1 cup	8 oz.	237 millilitres

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are frequently asked questions about the difference between teaspoons and tablespoons (TSP vs TBSP).

How many teaspoons are in a tablespoon?

To make one tablespoon of a substance, it takes three teaspoons of that substance. In other words, three teaspoons equal one tablespoon. A teaspoon’s capacity is 5 millilitres, while that of a tablespoon is 15 millilitres.

How many tablespoons are in a shot?

A standard 1.5-ounce shot glass will contain 3 tablespoons of any substance.

How many tablespoons are in a cup?

As a unit of measurement, 16 tablespoons will fill a cup.

How many tablespoons are in a ¼ cup?

There are four tablespoons and 12 teaspoons in a ¼cup.

How many tablespoons are in a 1/3 cup?

There are five tablespoons plus one teaspoon in a 1/3 cup.

How many ounces are in a tablespoon?

There is half of a fluid ounce in one tablespoon.

Conclusion

Both the teaspoon and tablespoon are units of measurement, with three teaspoons equal to one tablespoon.

The tablespoon came into existence during the Renaissance period, while the teaspoon became popular during the British colonial era. Today, both teaspoons and tablespoons are popular kitchen utensils in every household.

They serve as a unit of measurement for cooking ingredients or baking recipes. Their sizes, length, and capacity are different, with the teaspoon being the smaller kitchen cutlery.

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References

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AskanyDifferences: Teaspoon vs Tablespoon: Difference and Comparison
Dictionary.com: teaspoon vs tablespoon