Convert US teaspoons to milliliters easily.
1 tsp x 4.92892 = 4.92892 mL
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Ever found yourself halfway through a recipe only to realize it uses milliliters while your measuring spoons are labeled in teaspoons? You’re not alone. This conversion quirk trips up home cooks and professional chefs alike, especially when working with international recipes or precise baking formulas. Let’s break down how to bridge these measurement worlds.
Unit definitions
What is a US teaspoon (tsp)?
- Description: The teaspoon is a small-volume unit primarily used in cooking
- Symbol: tsp
- Common uses: Measuring spices, baking powder, vanilla extract
- Definition: 1 US teaspoon = 1/6 fluid ounce = 1/3 tablespoon
What is a milliliter (mL)?
- Description: The milliliter is a metric system unit for liquid volume
- Symbol: mL
- Common uses: Scientific measurements, medical dosages, international recipes
- Definition: 1 milliliter = 1/1000 liter = 1 cubic centimeter
Conversion formula
The exact tsp to mL equation: Milliliters = US teaspoons × 4.92892
For everyday use, many people simplify this to:
1 tsp ≈ 5 mL
(though bakers should stick with the precise value)
Example calculations
Scenario 1: Your recipe calls for 2.5 tsp of lemon juice
Calculation: 2.5 × 4.92892 = 12.3223 mL
Rounded: 12.3 mL
Scenario 2: A European cake recipe requires 15 mL of vanilla
Calculation: 15 ÷ 4.92892 ≈ 3.04 tsp
Rounded: 3 tsp (add an extra drop if being precise)
Conversion tables
US teaspoons to milliliters
| Teaspoons | Milliliters |
|---|---|
| 1 | 4.929 |
| 2 | 9.858 |
| 3 | 14.787 |
| 4 | 19.716 |
| 5 | 24.645 |
| 6 | 29.574 |
| 7 | 34.502 |
| 8 | 39.431 |
| 9 | 44.360 |
| 10 | 49.289 |
Milliliters to US teaspoons
| Milliliters | Teaspoons |
|---|---|
| 5 | 1.014 |
| 10 | 2.029 |
| 15 | 3.043 |
| 20 | 4.058 |
| 25 | 5.072 |
| 30 | 6.087 |
| 40 | 8.115 |
| 50 | 10.144 |
| 100 | 20.288 |
| 250 | 50.721 |
Historical background
The teaspoon’s history dates back to 17th-century English Apothecaries’ measures, where it was originally defined as 1 fluid dram (about 3.55 mL). When the US standardized its measurements in the 19th century, they redefined the teaspoon as 4.92892 mL based on the wine gallon. The milliliter emerged during the French Revolution as part of the metric systems, designed to create universal measurement standards.
Interesting facts
- Not just for tea: The first standardized teaspoons were used for medicinal purposes before becoming kitchen staples
- Size matters: Modern US teaspoons hold 20% less liquid than UK teaspoons (5.92 mL vs 4.93 mL)
- Baking precision: A 1-tsp measuring error in baking powder can alter cake rise by up to 15%
- Global gap: 79% of countries use milliliters as their primary cooking measurement
- Hidden math: 3 tsp = 1 tbsp = 14.7868 mL – but nobody remembers the decimal
FAQ
The US teaspoon (4.92892 mL) is standardized differently than the UK teaspoon (5.91939 mL) due to historical measurement system variations.
Use the rough approximation 1 tsp ≈ 5 mL for quick mental math. For precision, multiply teaspoons by 4.92892.
The standard conversion uses 1 tsp = 4.92892 mL, but some sources round it to 5 mL for simplicity in cooking.
Milliliters provide universal accuracy, especially important in baking and scientific measurements where precision matters.
Always use medical-grade measuring tools for medications. Kitchen teaspoons vary in size and aren't reliable for doses.