Tablespoon

A tablespoon is a type of spoon used for serving.

Measure of volume
It is also a measure of volume used in cooking. It has various values around the world. It is abbreviated in English as T., tbs. or Tbsp., and in German and Dutch as EL (from Esslöffel and Eetlepel). Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the UK and the United States define:


 * 1 tablespoon = 15 mL,

in line with the definition used in many other countries. In Australia, one tablespoon = 20 mL.

When used for solids (such as granulated sugar), it should be measured to the flattened level of the spoon (versus a 'heaping spoonful or heaped tablespoon, which is as much as can be held in the spoon).

Relationship to teaspoon
In most jurisdictions, one tablespoon equals three teaspoons. In Australia, however, one tablespoon is four teaspoons.

In Asia a tablespoon is equivalent to 2 teaspoons

Older definitions
The traditional U.S. interpretation of the tablespoon as a unit of volume was:


 * 1 U.S. tablespoon = ½ U.S. fl. oz. (approx. 14.787 mL)

This was considered slightly inconvenient in the context of nutrition labeling, where metric units are used even in the United States. However, this consideration does not lessen the factual relationship of a tablespoon to half of a fluid ounce, and tablespoons can be utilized to measure ingredients when other measuring devices are unavailable. For instance, 8 tablespoons is equivalent to ½ a cup.

The traditional British tablespoon could vary from 1/2 to 5/8 Imperial fl. oz. (14.2 mL to 17.8 mL).