If you need to know how many tablespoons are in 1/3 cup, the answer is simple: 1/3 cup equals 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon, or about 5⅓ tablespoons. This quick cup-to-tablespoon conversion is useful when you are following a recipe but do not have a 1/3-cup measuring cup nearby.
Knowing this measurement can make cooking and baking measurements much easier and help you measure ingredients with confidence. In this guide, you will learn 1/3 cup to tablespoons, teaspoons, milliliters, and fluid ounces, along with easy ways to measure 1/3 cup using common kitchen tools.
We will also explain the difference between U.S. and metric measurements and share simple tips for getting accurate results. Whether you are cooking dinner or baking a dessert, this guide makes 1/3 cup measurement conversion quick and easy.
Quick Answer
1/3 cup equals 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon, or 5⅓ tablespoons. If you need a simple 1/3 cup to tablespoons conversion, use 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon for an accurate measurement. This is based on 1 cup = 16 tablespoons and 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons. So, when you do not have a 1/3-cup measuring cup, your regular measuring spoons can easily get the job done.
How Many Tablespoons Are in 1/3 Cup?
So, how many tablespoons are in 1/3 cup? The simple answer is 5⅓ tablespoons. For an easier kitchen measurement, you can use 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon. This is the most useful way to measure 1/3 cup with tablespoons when you do not have a 1/3-cup measuring cup.
The conversion is based on the fact that 1 U.S. cup contains 16 tablespoons. When you divide 16 by 3, you get 5⅓ tablespoons. Since 1 tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons, the extra ⅓ tablespoon is the same as 1 teaspoon.
So, 1/3 cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon = 16 teaspoons. Remember that 5 tablespoons alone is slightly less than 1/3 cup. This small difference can matter when you need accurate measurements, especially in baking recipes.
How to Convert 1/3 Cup to Tablespoons
Learning how to convert 1/3 cup to tablespoons is very simple. Start with the basic kitchen measurement: 1 cup = 16 tablespoons. Because you need one-third of a cup, divide 16 tablespoons by 3. The result is 5⅓ tablespoons. This fraction is easier to use when cooking if you change the ⅓ tablespoon into teaspoons.
Since 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons, one-third of a tablespoon equals 1 teaspoon. That gives you the practical answer of 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon. You can use this simple method for other cups to tablespoons conversions as well.
The formula is cups × 16 = tablespoons for U.S. measurements. Knowing this formula can help you quickly handle recipe measurement conversions without needing an online calculator or a special measuring chart.
How to Measure 1/3 Cup Without a Measuring Cup
If you do not have a 1/3-cup measuring cup, there is no need to stop your recipe. You can easily measure 1/3 cup with tablespoons. The simplest method is to measure 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon. Together, these give you the full amount of 1/3 cup.
Another useful method is to use a 1/4-cup measuring cup, then add 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon. This also gives you 1/3 cup. When measuring dry ingredients, fill the spoon or cup and level the top for a more accurate amount.
For liquids, pour slowly and check the measurement at eye level. These simple methods make measuring 1/3 cup without a measuring cup much easier. They are especially helpful when cooking at home and you only have basic measuring spoons available.
1/3 Cup in Teaspoons, Ounces, and Milliliters
Besides tablespoons, you may also need to know 1/3 cup in teaspoons, ounces, or milliliters. In U.S. measurements, 1/3 cup equals 16 teaspoons. It is also about 2⅔ fluid ounces. When converted to milliliters, 1/3 U.S. cup is approximately 79 mL.
These numbers are useful when a recipe uses a different type of measurement than the tools you have at home. Keep in mind that these are volume measurements, not weight measurements.
For example, 1/3 cup of flour and 1/3 cup of water have the same volume, but they do not weigh the same. If a recipe gives an ingredient in grams, you should use a kitchen scale rather than trying to change the volume directly. For everyday cooking, 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon remains the easiest way to measure 1/3 cup.
1/3 Cup to Tablespoons Conversion Chart
A cup to tablespoon conversion chart can make common recipe measurements much easier. Instead of doing the math each time, you can quickly check the amount you need. For U.S. measurements, 1 cup equals 16 tablespoons, while 1 tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons.
Using these basic measurements, you can convert several common cup amounts into tablespoons and teaspoons. The chart below includes 1/3 cup, which equals 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon or 5⅓ tablespoons. These conversions are helpful for cooking, baking, and everyday kitchen measurement conversions.
Keep this chart nearby if you often adjust recipes or use different measuring tools. Remember that these numbers are for U.S. customary measurements. Metric cups and tablespoons can give slightly different results, so check the measurement system used by your recipe before making a conversion.
| Cup | Tablespoons | Teaspoons |
| 1/8 cup | 2 tbsp | 6 tsp |
| 1/4 cup | 4 tbsp | 12 tsp |
| 1/3 cup | 5 tbsp + 1 tsp | 16 tsp |
| 1/2 cup | 8 tbsp | 24 tsp |
| 2/3 cup | 10 tbsp + 2 tsp | 32 tsp |
| 3/4 cup | 12 tbsp | 36 tsp |
| 1 cup | 16 tbsp | 48 tsp |
U.S. Cup vs. Metric Cup: What’s the Difference?
When using cup measurement conversions, it is important to know which measurement system your recipe follows. A U.S. cup is about 236.6 milliliters, while a standard metric cup is 250 milliliters.
Because of this difference, 1/3 U.S cup and 1/3 metric cup are not exactly the same amount. For a U.S. cup, 1/3 cup is 5⅓ U.S. tablespoons, or 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon. A metric 1/3 cup is about 83.3 mL, which is about 5.56 metric tablespoons when using a 15 mL metric tablespoon.
This difference is small, but it can matter in some recipes, especially baking. Most U.S.-based recipes use the U.S. cup system. If a recipe comes from another country, check its measurement system before using a 1/3 cup to tablespoons conversion.
Does the Conversion Change for Liquid and Dry Ingredients?
The volume conversion does not change simply because an ingredient is liquid or dry. For example, 1/3 cup is still 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon whether you are measuring water, milk, flour, or sugar, as long as you use the same measurement system.
What can change is the weight of the ingredient. A cup measures volume, while grams measure weight. Flour is much lighter than water, so 1/3 cup of flour does not weigh the same as 1/3 cup of water. This is why you should not assume that every ingredient has the same gram conversion.
For everyday cooking measurements, use measuring cups and spoons for volume. When a baking recipe gives an amount in grams, a kitchen scale is usually the better choice. This helps you get more accurate results and keeps your recipe measurements consistent.
Tips for Measuring 1/3 Cup Accurately
Getting accurate kitchen measurements is simple when you use the right tools and take your time. For dry ingredients such as flour or sugar, use the correct measuring cup or spoon and level the top with a straight edge. Avoid pressing or packing the ingredient unless the recipe tells you to do so.
When measuring liquids, place the measuring cup on a flat surface and check the amount at eye level. If you need to measure 1/3 cup without a measuring cup, use 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon and measure each spoon carefully.
For baking, accurate measurements are especially important because even small changes can affect the final texture. If a recipe uses grams, a kitchen scale can provide better accuracy. These simple habits can make cooking and baking measurements easier and help your recipes turn out more consistently.
Common Mistakes When Measuring 1/3 Cup
A few simple mistakes can make a 1/3 cup measurement less accurate. The most common mistake is thinking that 5 tablespoons equals exactly 1/3 cup. It does not. You need 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon to reach the full amount. Another mistake is confusing tablespoons with teaspoons. Remember that 1 tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons.
You should also avoid mixing U.S. and metric measurements because their cup and tablespoon sizes can differ. Another common error is confusing fluid ounces with ounces by weight. Fluid ounces measure volume, while ounces can also refer to weight.
Finally, do not assume that every ingredient has the same weight per cup. Flour, sugar, butter, and water all have different densities. By paying attention to these details, you can avoid common kitchen measurement conversion errors and get more reliable results when cooking or baking.
FAQs
How many tablespoons are in 1/3 cup?
1/3 cup equals 5⅓ tablespoons, or more practically, 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon.
Is 1/3 cup equal to 5 tablespoons?
No. 5 tablespoons is slightly less than 1/3 cup. Add 1 teaspoon to get the full amount.
How many teaspoons are in 1/3 cup?
There are 16 teaspoons in 1/3 cup using U.S. measurements.
How do I measure 1/3 cup without a 1/3-cup measure?
Use 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon. You can also use 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon.
How many milliliters are in 1/3 cup?
A U.S. 1/3 cup is approximately 79 mL.
How many fluid ounces are in 1/3 cup?
There are about 2⅔ U.S. fluid ounces in 1/3 cup.
Is a metric 1/3 cup the same as a U.S. 1/3 cup?
No. A metric cup is 250 mL, while a U.S. cup is about 236.6 mL, so the conversions are slightly different.
Conclusion
If you only need the answer quickly, remember this simple conversion: 1/3 cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon. In fraction form, that is 5⅓ tablespoons. It also equals 16 teaspoons, about 2⅔ U.S. fluid ounces, and approximately 79 mL.
The easiest way to remember the main conversion is that 1 U.S. cup contains 16 tablespoons. Divide 16 by 3 to get 5⅓ tablespoons, then turn the extra ⅓ tablespoon into 1 teaspoon. This makes it easy to measure 1/3 cup without a measuring cup.
Just remember that these values use the U.S. customary measurement system. If your recipe uses metric measurements, the result can be slightly different. For most everyday cooking and baking, however, 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon is the simple and practical answer.