⚖️ Comparison · Updated for 2026
UK / US Tablespoon vs Australian Tablespoon
Side-by-side comparison, when-to-use-each guide, and instant conversion. Reviewed for 2026.
Quick answer: UK tbsp = 15 ml exactly. US tbsp = 14.79 ml (essentially 15 ml). Australian tbsp = 20 ml (yes, really). Using a UK/US tbsp in an Australian recipe undershoots by 25%. New Zealand uses 15 ml like the rest of the world.
Decision guide — when to use which
Use UK / US Tablespoon when…
UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, most of Europe.
Use Australian Tablespoon when…
Australia only. Australia officially switched to 20 ml in the 1970s to match metric (4 tsp × 5 ml = 20 ml).
📊 Side-by-side comparison
| 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
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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.
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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.
Reviewed for 2026. All conversion factors and historical references verified against official sources (ISO standards, government weights & measures legislation, IEC technical specifications). Built by a UK-based qualified primary teacher and FA Level 2 coach as part of 247QuickTools' free utility-tools project. We don't sell SEO links or accept paid placements in this content.