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How Many Grams in a Tablespoon? Complete UK Conversion Guide

Recipes often call for "1 tablespoon of butter" or "2 tablespoons of flour," but how much is that in grams? The answer depends on what you're measuring, because tablespoons measure volume (space), not weight.

This guide shows you exactly how many grams are in a tablespoon for all common ingredients.

How Big Is a Tablespoon?

In the UK, a standard tablespoon (tbsp) is:

• 15 millilitres (15ml) — the volume it holds
• Equivalent to 3 teaspoons (5ml each)
• Same volume as US tablespoons (both are 15ml)

Important: Use proper measuring spoons, not cutlery. A regular dinner spoon can be 10-25ml, which throws off recipes.

Why Grams Vary by Ingredient

Different ingredients have different densities (how heavy they are for the same volume):

• Dense ingredients like honey or peanut butter weigh more per tablespoon
• Light ingredients like flour or cocoa powder weigh less
• Liquids have consistent weight-to-volume ratios

This is why 1 tablespoon of water = 15g, but 1 tablespoon of flour = only 9g.

Complete Conversion Table: Tablespoons to Grams

Liquids

Ingredient	1 Tablespoon (g)	1 Teaspoon (g)
Water	15g	5g
Milk	15g	5g
Oil (vegetable/olive)	14g	5g
Honey	21g	7g
Golden syrup	20g	7g

Fats & Spreads

Ingredient	1 Tablespoon (g)	1 Teaspoon (g)
Butter	14g	5g
Margarine	14g	5g
Peanut butter	16g	5g
Cream cheese	15g	5g

Sugars & Sweeteners

Ingredient	1 Tablespoon (g)	1 Teaspoon (g)
Granulated sugar	12g	4g
Caster sugar	12g	4g
Brown sugar	13g	4g
Icing sugar	8g	3g

Flours & Powders

Ingredient	1 Tablespoon (g)	1 Teaspoon (g)
Plain flour	9g	3g
Self-raising flour	9g	3g
Cornflour	8g	3g
Cocoa powder	5g	2g

Other Common Ingredients

Ingredient	1 Tablespoon (g)	1 Teaspoon (g)
Salt	18g	6g
Baking powder	12g	4g
Ground spices	6g	2g
Rice (uncooked)	12g	4g

UK vs US vs Metric Tablespoons

There are slight differences worldwide:

Country	Volume (ml)	Notes
UK	15ml	Standard UK measuring spoon
US	15ml (14.79ml)	Effectively the same as UK
Australia	20ml	Larger! Adjust Australian recipes

Important: If using an Australian recipe in the UK, reduce tablespoon amounts by 25% (or use 3/4 of the stated amount).

How to Measure Tablespoons Accurately

For Dry Ingredients

1. Spoon into the measuring spoon — don't scoop from the bag (compacts the ingredient)
2. Level off with a knife — scrape excess off the top for an exact tablespoon
3. Don't pack unless the recipe says "packed tablespoon"

For Liquids

1. Pour liquid into the measuring spoon until it reaches the rim
2. Check at eye level to ensure it's not overflowing
3. For sticky liquids (honey, syrup), lightly oil the spoon first so it pours out cleanly

For Fats (Butter, Peanut Butter)

1. Pack the fat into the spoon
2. Level off the top with a knife
3. For butter, 1 tablespoon = 14g (or use the markings on butter wrappers)

Why Grams Are Better Than Tablespoons

In the UK, professional bakers and nutritionists measure in grams because:

• More accurate: 10g is always 10g. But "1 tablespoon of flour" can vary by 20-30% depending on how you scoop it
• Consistent results: Recipes work the same every time
• Easier for nutrition tracking: UK food labels show nutrition per 100g, making calorie counting simpler

Recommended: Buy digital kitchen scales (£10-15 on Amazon) for precise measuring.

Common Questions

Is a tablespoon the same as a dessert spoon?

No. A dessert spoon is 10ml (between a tablespoon and teaspoon). Always use proper measuring spoons for recipes.

How many tablespoons in a cup?

16 tablespoons = 1 cup (240ml). See our full guide: How Many Grams Is 1 Cup?

Can I use a regular soup spoon to measure?

No. Regular spoons vary from 10-25ml. Use a proper measuring spoon set for accuracy.

How do I measure half a tablespoon?

Half a tablespoon = 1½ teaspoons (7.5ml). Or use a proper ½ tablespoon measuring spoon.

For Calorie Tracking: Use Grams

If you're counting calories with an app like NutraSafe, always measure in grams for accuracy. UK food labels show nutrition per 100g, making it easy to calculate:

Example: If you eat 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (32g):

1. Scan the barcode with NutraSafe
2. Enter "32g" as the portion
3. See exact calories and macros instantly

Tablespoon measurements are less precise for nutrition tracking.

Final Thoughts

The number of grams in a tablespoon depends entirely on what you're measuring. Use the conversion tables above for common ingredients, or better yet — invest in digital kitchen scales and measure everything in grams for perfect recipes every time.

Quick reference:

• 1 tablespoon water = 15g
• 1 tablespoon butter = 14g
• 1 tablespoon sugar = 12g
• 1 tablespoon flour = 9g

Save this page for quick conversions when cooking!

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