One U.S. customary cup holds 16 U.S. tablespoons. This measures volume, so the conversion works whether you are measuring milk, oil, or flour. Ingredients can weigh very different amounts even when they fill the same cup.

A ¼ cup equals 4 tablespoons, ½ cup equals 8 tablespoons, and ¾ cup equals 12 tablespoons. For an awkward fraction, use teaspoons for the remainder. One-third of a cup is 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon. Two-thirds of a cup is 10 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons.

If a dressing calls for ¼ cup of oil and you want half a batch, start with 4 tablespoons and halve that to 2. If you only have a teaspoon, 2 tablespoons equal 6 teaspoons. Use level scoops, and see the teaspoons-to-tablespoons guide for more examples.

Check the unit on the recipe and on the measuring tool. A U.S. customary cup is about 237 milliliters, and a U.S. tablespoon is about 14.8 milliliters. If the recipe specifies a metric cup or gives a spoon size in milliliters, use those stated amounts. For flour or other ingredients specified by weight, a scale is the direct way to measure the grams.