tbsp

A tablespoon (tbsp) is a unit of volume measurement commonly used in cooking and food preparation, derived from the imperial and customary measurement systems. One tablespoon equals approximately 15 milliliters in metric terms, though slight variations exist between different measurement standards (U.S. tablespoon = 14.787 mL; metric tablespoon = 15 mL). The term originates from the size of a standard dining spoon used at table, historically serving as an informal measurement before standardized culinary practices were adopted.

Tablespoons are fundamental to recipe development and ingredient measurement across virtually all culinary traditions. They are used to measure both liquid and dry ingredients, from oils and vinegars to spices, flour, and sugar. In professional kitchens, tablespoon measurements provide a standardized reference point that allows recipes to be scaled and replicated consistently. Home cooks rely on tablespoon measurements as an intermediate unit between teaspoons and cups, facilitating precise ingredient portioning without requiring a full array of specialized measuring equipment.