How Many Tablespoons in 1/3 Cup? Exact Culinary Breakdown
1/3 cup equals 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (16 teaspoons, 2.67 fluid ounces, or 78.86 mL). Step-by-step measurement guide for dry and wet ingredients.
Quick conversion matrix
| Measurement | Equivalent A | Equivalent B | Equivalent C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/3 US Cup | 5 Tbsp + 1 tsp | 16 Teaspoons (tsp) | 78.86 mL (2.67 fl oz) |
| 2/3 US Cup | 10 Tbsp + 2 tsp | 32 Teaspoons (tsp) | 157.72 mL (5.33 fl oz) |
| 1 Full US Cup | 16 Tablespoons (tbsp) | 48 Teaspoons (tsp) | 236.59 mL (8.0 fl oz) |
Chef & measurement rules
Because 16 is not cleanly divisible by 3, 1/3 cup is 5.33 tablespoons—which translates to exactly 5 tablespoons PLUS 1 teaspoon.
When halving a 2/3 cup recipe, measure exactly 1/3 cup (5 tbsp + 1 tsp).
For dry baking powders, do not round down to 5 tbsp; include the extra 1 tsp for correct chemical leavening.
The Math Behind 1/3 Cup to Tablespoons
Converting 1/3 cup to tablespoons often confuses home bakers because 16 tablespoons per cup cannot be divided by 3 into a whole integer. 16 divided by 3 is 5.333 tablespoons.
Since there are 3 teaspoons in every tablespoon, 0.333 tablespoons equals exactly 1 level teaspoon. Therefore, 1/3 cup is exactly 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (or 16 teaspoons total).
If you ever lose your 1/3 cup measuring cup, simply scoop 5 level tablespoons and 1 level teaspoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tablespoons in 1/3 cup?
1/3 cup is exactly 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (5.33 tablespoons).
How many teaspoons is 1/3 cup?
1/3 cup is exactly 16 teaspoons.