Tablespoon

A spoon with approximate capacity of 15 ml.

The tablespoon is a common kitchen measure that indicates the volume of ingredients used in the preparation of any culinary preparation. Its measurement corresponds approximately to the volume contained in a spoon, where they usually fit from 7 to 20 milliliters. It is an approximate unit (it has a varied interpretation), so when saying its equivalences, precision should not be provided using decimals. Measurements in milliliters are preferred to resolve all ambiguity.

In recipes, the measure is abbreviated as cda.

Metric tablespoon

Cucharas medidoras: Deciliter, spoonful, teaspoon and milliliter.

A metric tablespoon equals exactly:

• 15 ml or cm3
• 3 teaspoons of 5 ml

This scoop is the most widely used in the world, an unofficial standard, and roughly equals:

• 0.91536 cubic inches
• 0.552793 imperial liquid ounces

Imperial Tablespoon

The imperial tablespoon (tablespoon) has not been standardized, and can traditionally mean:

• In the United Kingdom: ⁵♪₈ imperial liquid ounce, or approximately 17.76 ml
• In Canada: ¹♪₂ imperial liquid ounce, or approximately 14,21 ml
• If understood as the metric tablespoon: 15 ml.

In any case, it is equal to 3 teaspoons of the same system.

US Tablespoon

One US tablespoon (tablespoon) equals exactly:

• 3 American teaspoons (teaspoon)
• ¹♪₂ American liquid ounces

That roughly equates to:

• 0,90234 cubic inches
• 14,787 ml or cm3

The United States has legislated the use of the metric tablespoon for official measurements, such as in the area of nutrition. The difference between the two measures is almost 1.5%.

Roman tablespoon

In the Roman Empire the measure ligula was used, which corresponded to 1/48 of a sextarian, approximately 11.4 ml.

Notes on use

It is necessary to note that this measurement system varies in quantity, depending on the filling of the measuring spoon. They are classified in:

• Cucharada rasa: the content does not exceed the level of the utensil; this is the exact measure using a metering spoon.
• Filled spoon: exceeds the level a bit if the element is solid or dust.
• Filled spoon: the content reaches a certain height regarding the level, if also the measured element is solid or dust.