The usual teaspoon abbreviation is tsp, written in lowercase, as in "1 tsp vanilla." Many older recipe cards and some cookbooks use a single lowercase t instead. Both mean the same small spoon measure, equal to one third of a tablespoon.
The danger is the capital letter. A capital T means tablespoon, three times as much. Mixing up t and T is one of the most common reasons a recipe tastes far too salty or spicy.
Quick facts
Main abbreviation
tspAlso used
t (lowercase), tsp., tspnPlural
tsp, the same formEquals
1/3 tablespoon, about 5 millilitersUsed in
Recipes, nutrition labels, medicine directionsNot to be confused with
T or tbsp (tablespoon)
Teaspoon abbreviation choices and when each appears
| Form | Where you see it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| tsp | Most modern recipes and food labels | The clearest choice |
| tsp. | Some cookbooks and older style guides | Same meaning; the period is optional |
| t | Handwritten cards, older cookbooks | Always lowercase |
| tspn | Rare, mostly in the UK | Seen on some packaging |
If you write recipes for others, use tsp. It is short, easy to read and hard to mistake for tablespoon. For pint, gram and other kitchen units, browse the common abbreviations hub.
What does tsp stand for, letter by letter?
Tsp stands for teaspoon, using the first letter and two key sounds of the word: teaspoon. Since all of its letters come from a single word, tsp counts as a plain abbreviation rather than an acronym. In speech, cooks simply say "teaspoon." Reading it as "T S P" out loud is rare.
Add no s for the plural. "2 tsp" is correct; "2 tsps" is seen but looks odd to most editors. The same rule applies to tbsp and to most metric units.
Teaspoon vs tablespoon: t, T, tsp and tbsp
These four short forms cause most kitchen mistakes:
- t and tsp mean teaspoon.
- T, Tbsp, tbsp and tbs mean tablespoon. See the tablespoon abbreviation page for more.
- 3 teaspoons make 1 tablespoon.
- 16 tablespoons make 1 cup, so a cup holds 48 teaspoons. See the cup abbreviation.
Recipe line: "2 T olive oil, 1 t garlic powder." The capital T asks for tablespoons of oil; the small t asks for one teaspoon of garlic powder. Read the t as a T and the dish gets three times the garlic it needs.
How big is a teaspoon?
A US teaspoon is about 4.93 milliliters, and most cooks and labels round it to 5 mL. Many countries define the metric teaspoon as exactly 5 mL, so recipes from around the world line up closely.
| Amount | Equals |
|---|---|
| 1 tsp | About 5 mL |
| 3 tsp | 1 tbsp |
| 6 tsp | 1 fluid ounce (about 30 mL) |
| 48 tsp | 1 cup |
A spoon from the silverware drawer is not a true measuring spoon. Its size can vary a lot, so use a measuring set for baking.
Tsp on medicine labels
Liquid medicine directions sometimes say "1 tsp" or "5 mL." Use the cup, syringe or dropper that comes with the medicine, not a kitchen spoon, so the dose is right. Many labels now give milliliters only, because mg, mL and tsp are easy to confuse.
Teaspoon abbreviation in sentences
- "Stir in 1/2 tsp baking soda."
- "Add 2 tsp lemon zest to the batter."
- "Season with 1 t pepper, then taste."
- "Serving size: 1 tsp (5 g)."
- "Is that a teaspoon or a tablespoon? The card says t, so it is a teaspoon."
Questions people ask
What is the abbreviation for teaspoon in a recipe?
Use tsp. Some recipes use a small t. Either way, it means one teaspoon, which is a third of a tablespoon.
Is a small t a teaspoon or a tablespoon?
A lowercase t is a teaspoon. A capital T is a tablespoon, which holds three times as much.
Does tsp need a period?
No, a period is optional. Most modern recipes write tsp without one. If you add periods, use them for every unit in the recipe.
Is it tsp or tsps for more than one?
Write tsp for both one and many: 1 tsp, 3 tsp. The extra s is unnecessary.
Is tsp an acronym?
Not in the usual sense. The three letters shorten one word, teaspoon. Read about the difference in acronym vs abbreviation.