Teaspoons ↔ Milliliters
What I’ve learned is this: if you’re cooking from global recipe websites, measuring liquid medicine, or just trying to be precise with your baking, knowing how to convert tsp to ml isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Let’s break down how to do that quickly (and without the mental math headache).
The Exact Teaspoons to Milliliters Conversion Formula (and Why It’s Not Just 5)
Here’s the thing—1 U.S. teaspoon equals exactly 4.92892 milliliters. Not five. Not “about five.” Not “somewhere close to five.” It’s 4.92892 ml. That number might look ridiculously specific for something as casual as measuring vanilla extract, but if you’ve ever tried to follow a fussy French recipe or accurately dose liquid medicine, that decimal really starts to matter.
Now, most cooking sites—and honestly, even nutrition labels—round up to 5 ml because, well, it’s cleaner. Easier on the brain, easier on the math. I get it. I’ve done it. But when you’re scaling recipes or doing conversions in bulk (I once doubled a batch of elderberry syrup and totally messed up the ratios), that rounding adds up.
What I’ve found helpful is using a calculator with at least 4 decimal places when I’m working with recipes that require precision. Especially for stuff like tinctures, or anything you’re bottling.
So yeah, if you’re converting a single teaspoon, sure—round to 5 ml. But if you’re dealing with, say, 13 tsp? Trust the formula:
Teaspoons × 4.92892 = Milliliters.
Your future self (and your soup) will thank you.
Easy Teaspoons to Milliliters Conversion Table (For When You Just Need the Numbers Fast)
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been elbow-deep in cookie dough, trying to Google “tsp to ml” with one clean hand. It’s always when the butter’s half-melted and the oven’s already preheating. That’s why I keep a printed conversion table on my fridge—simple, clear, no brain math required.
You don’t need a calculator for this part. Just use this quick cheat sheet:
| Teaspoons (tsp) | Milliliters (ml) |
|---|---|
| 1 tsp | 4.93 ml |
| 2 tsp | 9.86 ml |
| 3 tsp | 14.79 ml |
| 4 tsp | 19.71 ml |
| 5 tsp | 24.64 ml |
| 6 tsp | 29.57 ml |
| 7 tsp | 34.50 ml |
| 8 tsp | 39.43 ml |
| 9 tsp | 44.36 ml |
| 10 tsp | 49.29 ml |
What I’ve found helpful is rounding to the nearest tenth (like 4.93 instead of the full 4.92892) for everyday cooking—it’s precise enough unless you’re doing lab work in your kitchen (and if you are, I admire your commitment).
You can even print this as a mini chart and stick it inside a cabinet door—I’ve done that in both my kitchen and my camping trailer. Works like a charm.
Teaspoon Sizes: U.S., U.K., and Metric Differences (Because “One Teaspoon” Isn’t Always the Same)
Now, here’s something I wish I’d learned before trying to make lemon curd from a British recipe—the word “teaspoon” doesn’t mean the same thing everywhere. It sounds simple, but the differences are enough to throw off your ratios (and yes, your curd texture too).
Let’s break it down:
| Region / Standard | Volume (Milliliters) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Teaspoon | 4.92892 ml | Defined by the FDA; used in American recipes and nutrition labels. |
| Metric Teaspoon | 5 ml | The global standard per Codex Alimentarius—used in Australia, Canada, and most of Europe. |
| Australian Teaspoon | 5 ml | Matches metric standards exactly (makes life easier, honestly). |
| U.K. Teaspoon (historic) | ≈5.9 ml | Older British cookbooks sometimes use this—I’ve learned this the hard way baking scones from a 1970s recipe. |
What I’ve found is that these tiny differences matter more than you’d think, especially with baking or liquid dosing. If you’re cooking across borders—or even swapping recipes from Pinterest—stick with metric teaspoons (5 ml) for consistency. And if you’re curious, I actually keep a little note taped inside my spice drawer with these conversions. Saves me every time.
