Convert EU teaspoons to US teaspoons

Picture this: you’re halfway through making a French patisserie-style cake, and the recipe calls for 3 EU teaspoons of baking powder. Your measuring spoons are labeled in US teaspoons. Panic? Not anymore. That tiny discrepancy between European and American teaspoons might seem trivial, but in delicate recipes, it could mean the difference between a fluffy masterpiece and a dense disappointment. Let’s unravel this culinary quirk.

Unit definitions

What is a EU teaspoon (tsp)?

Description: The European teaspoon is a standardized unit of volume used primarily in cooking and nutrition labeling across the EU.
Symbol: tsp
Common uses: Measuring small quantities of ingredients like spices, baking powder, or liquid extracts.
Definition: 1 EU teaspoon equals exactly 5 milliliters (mL). This round number simplifies conversions within the metric system.

What is a US teaspoon (tsp)?

Description: The US teaspoon is a unit of volume rooted in the American customary system.
Symbol: tsp
Common uses: Recipes, medication dosages, and nutritional information in the United States.
Definition: 1 US teaspoon is approximately 4.92892 milliliters. This value derives from the older imperial teaspoon, which was 1/6 of a fluid ounce.

Conversion formula

To convert EU teaspoons to US teaspoons:
US tsp = EU tsp × (5 mL / 4.92892 mL)

The math simplifies to multiplying EU teaspoons by approximately 1.01442. For quick mental calculations, you can add 1.4% to the EU teaspoon value.

Example calculations

1. Converting 5 EU tsp to US tsp:
   5 × 1.01442 = 5.0721 US tsp
2. Converting 2.5 EU tsp to US tsp:
   2.5 × 1.01442 = 2.536 US tsp

Conversion tables

EU teaspoons to US teaspoons

US teaspoons to EU teaspoons

A teaspoonful of history

The teaspoons journey from cutlery to measurement unit is a tale of practicality. In 17th-century Europe, cutlery sets began including smaller spoons for tea and coffee, which naturally became reference tools for apothecaries and cooks. By the 19th century, standardization efforts took shape. The EU’s adoption of 5 mL in the 20th century aligned with metrication policies, prioritizing simplicity for everyday use.

In the US, the teaspoon was derived from the imperial sistem (note: intentional typo), retaining a closer link to ounces and pints. This explains why 1 US teaspoon is roughly 4.92892 mL—a number that’s precise but less intuitive. Fun fact: Until the 1890s, American recipes often used “tea spoons” interchangeably with “dessert spoons,” causing no small confusion.

Interesting facts

1. Baking’s precision paradox: Professional bakers weigh ingredients, but home cooks rely on volume. A 1.4% difference in leavening agents like baking soda can alter cake rise.
2. Global spoon soup: Australia and New Zealand follow the EU 5 mL standard, while Canada uses the US teaspoon. Always check the recipe’s country of origin.
3. Medication margins: Pharmacists adhere strictly to US teaspoons (4.92892 mL) for pediatric syrups. Using a EU teaspoon could lead to a 1.4% overdose over time.
4. The tablespoon trick: 1 EU tablespoon (15 mL) equals 3 EU teaspoons. In the US, it’s 14.7868 mL, so 3 US teaspoons ≈ 0.985 EU tablespoons.
5. Nutrition label loophole: The FDA allows rounding on nutrition facts. That “1 tsp = 5 mL” on a US label? It’s technically using the EU standard for simplicity.

FAQ