How Many Tablespoons Are in 1/2 Cup?

How many tablespoons are in ½ cup? The simple answer is 8 tablespoons. Knowing this conversion helps when cooking or baking. Below you’ll find clear explanations, regional differences, and printable conversion charts to keep in your kitchen.

You don’t need to memorize every kitchen conversion. A few reliable facts and a small reference chart are usually enough to keep your baking consistent.

One cup equals 16 tablespoons, so a half cup equals 8 tablespoons.

American cup size

The United States uses the US customary cup for most home recipes. A half US customary cup equals:

• ½ US Cup = 118.294 mL
• ½ US Cup = 8 US tablespoons (tbsp)
• ½ US Cup ≈ 7.89 metric tablespoons (international/UK)

For nutrition labeling and some legal contexts the US uses a slightly different “legal cup”:

• ½ US Legal Cup = 120 mL
• ½ US Legal Cup ≈ 8.115 US tablespoons
• ½ US Legal Cup ≈ 8 metric tablespoons

Different cup sizes

Cup sizes vary across countries. Many English-speaking countries now use metric cup measurements, while older British recipes may reference the imperial cup.

• ½ Metric Cup = 125 mL
• ½ Imperial (UK) Cup = 142.07 mL
• ½ UK Metric Cup = 125 mL

1 cup	Milliliters	½ cup	Milliliters
US Customary Cup	236.59 ml	US Customary Cup	118.3 ml
US Legal Cup	240 ml	US Legal Cup	120 ml
UK Metric Cup	250 ml	UK Metric Cup	125 ml
UK Imperial Cup	284.13 ml	UK Imperial Cup	142.07 ml
Australian Cup	250 ml	Australian Cup	125 ml
Canadian Cup	250 ml	Canadian Cup	125 ml
South African Cup	250 ml	South African Cup	125 ml

Tablespoon sizes

Tablespoon volume varies by country. Common values include:

• 1 US tablespoon = 14.8 ml (0.5 US fl oz)
• 1 UK tablespoon = 15 ml
• 1 Canadian tablespoon = 15 ml (≈0.51 US fl oz)
• 1 Australian tablespoon = 20 ml (≈0.68 US fl oz)

How many tablespoons in a half cup

In the US system there are 8 tablespoons in a half cup.

How to convert ½ cup to tablespoons

1 cup = 16 tablespoons (US system).

Formula: Tbsp = cups × 16

½ × 16 = 8 tbsp

So, ½ cup equals 8 tablespoons.

½ cup to tablespoon conversion

Use the following chart for common cup-to-tablespoon and milliliter equivalents. The half-cup conversions are emphasized.

Cups	Tablespoons	Fluid ounces	Milliliters
1/16 cup	1 tbsp	½ fl. oz.	14.79 ml
⅛ cup	2 tbsp	1 fl. oz.	29.57 ml
⅙ cup	2 tbsp + 2 tsp	1 ⅓ fl. oz.	39.43 ml
¼ cup	4 tbsp	2 fl. oz.	59.15 ml
⅓ cup	5 tbsp + 1 tsp	2 ⅔ fl. oz.	78.86 ml
½ cup	8 tbsp	4 fl. oz.	118.29 ml
⅔ cup	10 tbsp + 2 tsp	5 ⅓ fl. oz	157.73 ml
¾ cup	12 tbsp	6 fl. oz.	177.44 ml
1 cup	16 tbsp	8 fl. oz.	236.59 ml

This table works for most dry ingredients measured by volume—flour, sugar, cocoa, and similar items—when you use measuring cups rather than a scale.

How many tablespoons of butter in ½ cup

Butter conversions are especially useful. In US measurements:

• 1 cup butter = 2 sticks = 16 tbsp = 8 oz = 226.8 g
• ½ cup butter = 1 stick = 8 tbsp = 4 oz = 113.4 g

Tablespoon	Cups	Ounces	Grams	Stick of butter
16 tbsp	1 cup	8 oz.	226.8 g	2 sticks
12 tbsp	¾ cup	6 oz.	170.1 g	1 ½ sticks
10 tbsp + 2 tsp	⅔ cup	5.33 oz.	151.2 g	1 ⅓ sticks
8 tbsp	½ cup	4 oz.	113.4 g	1 stick
4 tbsp	¼ cup	2 oz.	56.7 g	½ stick
2 tbsp	⅛ cup	1 oz.	28.4 g	¼ stick

Because cup sizes differ internationally, the tablespoon count for a “half cup” can vary by country when you convert from milliliters. For most US recipes, ½ cup equals 8 US tablespoons.

½ cup	Milliliters	US tablespoons	UK tablespoons (Imperial)
US (standard)	118.29 ml	8 tbsp	6.5 tbsp
UK (Imperial)	142 ml	9.6 tbsp	8 tbsp
UK (metric)	125 ml	8.5 tbsp	7 tbsp
Australia	125 ml	8.5 tbsp	7 tbsp
Canada	125 ml	8.5 tbsp	7 tbsp
South Africa	125 ml	8.5 tbsp	7 tbsp

Measuring with cups and spoons

The most accurate method is a kitchen scale, but cups and spoons are common. For dry ingredients use the scoop-and-level method:

• Stir the dry ingredient to loosen it.
• Spoon it into the measuring cup.
• Level off the top with the back of a knife.

Semi-solid items like sour cream, peanut butter, and yogurt are usually measured in dry measuring cups. For liquids, use a clear liquid measuring cup, place it on a flat surface, and read at eye level.

Measuring small dry quantities with spoons requires filling the spoon and leveling with a knife—avoid packing or heaping in baking recipes.

How to measure ½ cup

Ways to measure a half cup:

• Use a ½ measuring cup
• Use a ¼ cup twice
• Use 8 tablespoons
• Use 24 teaspoons

If you lack measuring tools, approximate methods include filling an 8 fl. oz coffee mug halfway or estimating by common objects (a half cup is roughly the volume of a tennis ball). These are approximations and less precise than proper measuring tools.

Tablespoon conversion chart

Keep a printed tablespoon conversion chart in your kitchen for quick reference.

Printable conversion charts

Printable conversion charts and cheat sheets are useful for bakers of all levels. Common printables include kitchen conversion charts, baking pan converters, weight conversion charts, liquid conversion charts, and oven temperature charts—handy to keep in a binder or on the fridge.

Related conversions

Other helpful conversions to bookmark: how many tablespoons in a cup, pint, fluid ounce, quart, and gallon. These quick references make adapting and scaling recipes easier.

Conclusion

The short answer to “How many tablespoons are in half a cup?” is: ½ cup equals 8 tablespoons (US system). Remember to check which cup standard a recipe uses—US, legal, metric, or imperial—because milliliter equivalents differ slightly between systems.

Frequently asked questions