Teaspoon to mL Converter
Convert teaspoons (tsp) to milliliters (mL) for cooking and medicine dosing.
Conversion Result
📐 Conversion Formulas
Teaspoons to mL:
Teaspoon Standards:
- US teaspoon: 4.92892159375 mL (1/6 US fl oz)
- Metric teaspoon: 5 mL exactly
- UK teaspoon: commonly 5 mL (not officially defined)
📝 Step-by-Step Calculation
Enter a value and convert to see the step-by-step breakdown.
Understanding Teaspoons and Milliliters
The teaspoon is a common cooking and medicine measurement, but its exact size depends on the measurement system used. Understanding the differences helps ensure accuracy in both cooking and medication dosing.
What Is a Teaspoon?
A teaspoon (tsp) is a small unit of volume used primarily in cooking and medicine. Unlike metric units, the teaspoon varies by country:
- US teaspoon: Exactly 4.92892159375 mL (defined as 1/6 of a US fluid ounce or 1/3 of a US tablespoon)
- Metric teaspoon: Exactly 5 mL (used internationally and in many modern recipes)
- UK teaspoon: Commonly accepted as 5 mL, though not officially defined
US vs Metric Teaspoons
The difference between US and metric teaspoons is small but can matter for precise cooking and baking. The metric teaspoon (5 mL) is about 1.4% larger than the US teaspoon (4.93 mL). For most recipes, this difference is negligible. However, when measuring medications, using milliliters directly is safest.
Teaspoons in Cooking Measurements
Understanding how teaspoons relate to other measurements is helpful:
- 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
- 6 teaspoons = 1 fluid ounce (US)
- 48 teaspoons = 1 cup (US)
Quick Reference Table
Common teaspoon to mL conversions:
| Teaspoons | US (mL) | Metric (mL) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ½ | 2.46 | 2.5 | Half teaspoon |
| 1 | 4.93 | 5 | One teaspoon |
| 1½ | 7.39 | 7.5 | — |
| 2 | 9.86 | 10 | Two teaspoons |
| 2½ | 12.32 | 12.5 | Common medicine dose |
| 3 | 14.79 | 15 | = 1 tablespoon |
| 4 | 19.72 | 20 | — |
| 5 | 24.64 | 25 | ≈ 1 fl oz (US) |
Frequently Asked Questions
A US teaspoon equals approximately 4.93 mL, while a metric teaspoon equals exactly 5 mL. For most practical purposes, 5 mL per teaspoon is a safe approximation.
Multiply the number of teaspoons by the mL per teaspoon for your standard. For US teaspoons, multiply by 4.93. For metric teaspoons, multiply by 5.
A US teaspoon is 4.93 mL, while a metric teaspoon is 5 mL exactly. The difference is about 1.4%, which is usually negligible for cooking but may matter for precise medication dosing.
There are exactly 3 teaspoons in 1 tablespoon in both US and metric systems.
No. Kitchen teaspoons (silverware) vary widely in size and are not standardized. Always use a proper measuring teaspoon for recipes and an oral syringe for medications.
For medicines, it's safest to use milliliters directly with an oral syringe or dosing cup. Most medication labels now provide dosages in mL. If a label says "1 teaspoon," it typically means 5 mL (metric).