It depends on what’s in it
A measuring tablespoon always holds the same volume (15 ml), but the weight changes with the ingredient: a tablespoon of flour weighs about 8 g, a tablespoon of honey over 20 g.
| Ingredient | 1 tablespoon | 1 teaspoon |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 7.8 g | 2.6 g |
| Cornstarch | 8 g | 2.7 g |
| Granulated sugar | 12.5 g | 4.2 g |
| Powdered sugar | 7.5 g | 2.5 g |
| Butter | 14.2 g | 4.7 g |
| Vegetable oil | 13.6 g | 4.5 g |
| Milk | 15.3 g | 5.1 g |
| Honey | 21.2 g | 7.1 g |
| Cocoa powder | 5.3 g | 1.8 g |
| Table salt | 18 g | 6 g |
| Rice (uncooked) | 11.6 g | 3.9 g |
| Grated cheese | 6.2 g | 2.1 g |
| Baking powder | ≈ 14 g | ≈ 4.5 g |
| Baking soda | ≈ 15 g | ≈ 5 g |
Level measures. 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons = 1/16 cup.
Tips for measuring better
- Sticky ingredients like honey: coat the spoon with a little oil and it slides right out.
- Baking powder and soda: precision matters here. Use measuring spoons and always level.
- Salt: kosher salt weighs much less per spoon than table salt because the crystals are bigger. If you switch types, adjust to taste.