The most common tablespoon abbreviation is tbsp, also printed as Tbsp. with a capital T and a period. Many family recipes and older cookbooks use a single capital T, and you may also see tbs or tbl on labels and cards.
All of them mean the same kitchen measure, equal to 3 teaspoons or about 15 milliliters. The one real danger is confusing it with the teaspoon, which is a third of the size and is written tsp or a lowercase t.
Quick facts
Main abbreviation
tbsp or Tbsp.Short recipe form
T (capital)Other forms
tbs, tbl, tbsp.Plural
Same as singular: 2 tbspEquals
3 teaspoons, about 15 mLNot to be confused with
tsp or t, the teaspoon
Every tablespoon abbreviation you will see
| Form | Where it shows up |
|---|---|
| tbsp | Modern cookbooks, food packaging, recipe cards |
| Tbsp. | Many American magazines and test kitchens, with a capital T to stand out |
| T | Handwritten recipes, older cookbooks, quick notes |
| tbs or tbl | Some labels, nutrition panels and short lists |
No single abbreviation of tablespoon is the official one. What matters is that one recipe uses one style throughout, so a reader never has to guess.
Plural: the abbreviation for tablespoons
Measurement abbreviations usually stay the same in the plural. Write "2 tbsp butter," not "2 tbsps." The number already tells the reader there is more than one. You will sometimes see "tbsps" in casual writing, and it is understood, but most editors avoid it.
Periods are a matter of house style. American recipes often add one (Tbsp.), while many modern books and labels drop it (tbsp). Either is fine if you stay consistent. Spell the word out at the start of a sentence: "Tablespoons of oil vary in weight."
Tablespoon vs teaspoon: capital T or small t
When a recipe uses single letters, the capital letter is the bigger spoon.
- T or Tbsp means tablespoon.
- t or tsp means teaspoon.
A handwritten cookie card: "1 T vanilla, 1 t baking soda." Read it as one tablespoon of vanilla and one teaspoon of baking soda. Swapping them would put three times the soda in the dough and give the cookies a bitter taste.
If a card is hard to read and you cannot tell T from t, think about the ingredient. Salt, baking soda and baking powder are usually measured in teaspoons in home baking, while oil, butter and sugar often come by the tablespoon. See the abbreviation for teaspoon for more on the smaller spoon.
How big is a tablespoon?
| Amount | Equals |
|---|---|
| 1 tbsp | 3 tsp |
| 1 tbsp | About 15 mL |
| 2 tbsp | 1 fluid ounce |
| 4 tbsp | 1/4 cup |
| 16 tbsp | 1 cup |
A measuring tablespoon is a standard size. The spoon you eat soup with is not, and it can hold noticeably more or less. For fluid ounces and cups, see the ounce abbreviation and cup abbreviation pages.
Tablespoons on medicine labels
Some older medicine directions use tablespoon amounts, and the same T and t confusion can cause dosing mistakes. Today most liquid medicines come with a dosing cup or syringe marked in milliliters, which is safer than a kitchen spoon.
Quick tips for writing recipes
- Pick tbsp or Tbsp. and use it in every line.
- Avoid the single letter T if the recipe will be shared or printed small.
- Put the abbreviation after the number with a space: "1 tbsp."
- Use fractions for partial amounts: "1 1/2 tbsp."
- For metric readers, add mL in parentheses.
The common abbreviations section has many more, from kitchen units to office terms.
Questions people ask
What is the abbreviation for tablespoon?
The most common forms are tbsp and Tbsp. Many recipes also use a capital T, and some labels use tbs.
Is a capital T a tablespoon or a teaspoon?
A capital T means tablespoon. A lowercase t means teaspoon, which is a third as much.
What's the abbreviation for tablespoon in metric recipes?
Metric recipes often use tbsp too, or give the amount in milliliters. One tablespoon is about 15 mL.
How many teaspoons are in a tablespoon?
Three. So 1 tbsp equals 3 tsp.
Is it tbsp or tbs?
Both mean tablespoon. Tbsp is more common in American recipes, while tbs appears on some labels.