UK / US Tablespoon vs Australian Tablespoon
Side-by-side comparison, when-to-use-each guide, and instant conversion. Reviewed for 2026.
UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, most of Europe.
Australia only. Australia officially switched to 20 ml in the 1970s to match metric (4 tsp × 5 ml = 20 ml).
| Aspect | UK / US Tablespoon | Australian Tablespoon |
|---|---|---|
| UK tbsp | 15 ml exactly | 20 ml |
| US tbsp | 14.79 ml | 20 ml |
| NZ tbsp | 15 ml | 20 ml |
| 1 cup contains | 16 tbsp (UK/US) | 12 tbsp (Australia, 250 ml cup) |
| 1 tsp | 5 ml everywhere | 5 ml everywhere |
Frequently asked
Why is Australia different?
When Australia went metric in the 1970s, they defined 1 tbsp as 4 tsp (20 ml) for clean metric ratios. Most other countries kept the older 15 ml or 14.79 ml standard.
Does this matter in cooking?
Yes for baking — 25% more baking soda or salt is noticeable. For savoury cooking, less critical. Australian recipes always use Australian tablespoons; if you're abroad and converting, multiply by 1.33.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Australia different?
When Australia went metric in the 1970s, they defined 1 tbsp as 4 tsp (20 ml) for clean metric ratios. Most other countries kept the older 15 ml or 14.79 ml standard.
Does this matter in cooking?
Yes for baking — 25% more baking soda or salt is noticeable. For savoury cooking, less critical. Australian recipes always use Australian tablespoons; if you're abroad and converting, multiply by 1.33.