Convert Teaspoons (tsp) to Cups
1 Teaspoon equals 0.0208333 cups.
Teaspoon to Cup Converter
What Is a Teaspoon?
The US teaspoon (tsp) is a customary unit of volume equal to ⅓ tablespoon, ⅙ fluid ounce, or approximately 4.929 mL. The metric teaspoon is exactly 5 mL. It is the smallest standard kitchen measure and the default unit for medicine dosing.
What Is a Cup?
The US customary cup (c) is a unit of volume equal to 8 fluid ounces, 16 tablespoons, 48 teaspoons, or approximately 236.588 mL. It is the fundamental liquid and dry measure in American cooking.
Teaspoons to Cups Formula
The conversion is exact by definition:
cups = teaspoons ÷ 48 exact
Since 1 cup = 16 tablespoons × 3 teaspoons = 48 teaspoons exactly.
Worked Example
Convert 12 teaspoons of sugar to cups:
- Divide: 12 ÷ 48 = ¼ cup (0.25 cups)
Quick Estimation
Quick reference: 12 tsp = ¼ cup, 24 tsp = ½ cup, 36 tsp = ¾ cup, 48 tsp = 1 cup. For tablespoons: divide teaspoons by 3 to get tablespoons, then divide by 16 to get cups. Since all factors are exact whole numbers, there is no rounding involved.
The Kitchen Measurement Ladder
US kitchen volumes follow a simple chain: 3 tsp = 1 tbsp → 16 tbsp = 1 cup → 2 cups = 1 pint → 2 pints = 1 quart → 4 quarts = 1 gallon. Each step is a small whole-number multiplier, making mental math possible without a calculator.
Common Teaspoons to Cups Conversions
| Teaspoons | Cups | Also Equals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tsp | 1/48 cup | ⅓ tablespoon |
| 3 tsp | 1/16 cup | 1 tablespoon |
| 6 tsp | ⅛ cup | 2 tablespoons / 1 fl oz |
| 12 tsp | ¼ cup | 4 tablespoons / 2 fl oz |
| 16 tsp | ⅓ cup | 5⅓ tablespoons |
| 24 tsp | ½ cup | 8 tablespoons / 4 fl oz |
| 36 tsp | ¾ cup | 12 tablespoons / 6 fl oz |
| 48 tsp | 1 cup | 16 tablespoons / 8 fl oz |
| 96 tsp | 2 cups | 1 pint / 16 fl oz |
When You Need This Conversion
- Recipe scaling: A recipe calls for 6 teaspoons of vanilla — that is ⅛ cup (or 2 tablespoons). Easier to measure with a ⅛-cup measure than counting 6 spoons.
- Baking precision: When halving a recipe that calls for ¼ cup of baking powder (12 tsp), you need 6 teaspoons — a more practical measure than ⅛ cup for powder.
- Spice blends: Large-batch spice mix recipes list ingredients in teaspoons. Converting the total to cups helps determine container size: 48 tsp total = 1 cup of blend.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teaspoons are in a cup?
Exactly 48 teaspoons (16 tablespoons × 3 teaspoons per tablespoon).
How many teaspoons in half a cup?
24 teaspoons (48 ÷ 2). Also equals 8 tablespoons or 4 fluid ounces.
How many teaspoons in a tablespoon?
Exactly 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon. This is the most fundamental kitchen conversion.
Is a cup 48 or 49 teaspoons?
Exactly 48. The cup-to-teaspoon ratio is exact by definition: 1 cup = 16 tbsp = 48 tsp. There is no ambiguity.
Cooking Notes & Cross-References
Cup sizes vary by country. This converter uses US customary cups (236.588 mL) and US teaspoons (4.929 mL). Metric teaspoons are exactly 5 mL, and metric cups are exactly 250 mL (used in Australia and New Zealand). Always check which system your recipe uses.
See our complete Cooking Measurement Guide for a quick-reference chart with all cup, tablespoon, and teaspoon equivalencies.
Need to convert the other way? Use our Cups to Teaspoons converter.
Common Teaspoon to Cup Conversions
| Teaspoon | Cup | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Teaspoon | 0.0208333 cups | |
| 5 Teaspoons | 0.104167 cups | |
| 10 Teaspoons | 0.208333 cups | |
| 25 Teaspoons | 0.520833 cups |
| Teaspoon | Cup | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 50 Teaspoons | 1.04167 cups | |
| 100 Teaspoons | 2 112 cups | |
| 500 Teaspoons | 10.4167 cups | |
| 1000 Teaspoons | 20.8333 cups |
Teaspoons to cups Conversion Table
Reference table with common teaspoons to cups conversions. All values calculated with high precision.
Teaspoons to Cups Table
0.01 to 50
Teaspoons to Cups Table
100 to 10000000
Cups to Teaspoons Table
1 to 100000
Looking for the reverse? Convert Cup to Teaspoon
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