Teaspoon to ml
Convert teaspoon to ml instantly with DigiCalc. Includes the formula, US vs metric teaspoon comparison, fraction conversion table, and medicine dosing guide.
Teaspoon to ml
Converting teaspoon to ml (milliliters) is essential in cooking, baking, and medicine — especially when following recipes from different countries or measuring liquid medications. One US teaspoon equals 4.929 ml, while a metric teaspoon equals exactly 5 ml. DigiCalc's teaspoon to ml converter gives you instant, accurate results for any value you enter.
Teaspoon to ml Formula
The precise conversion formula for a US teaspoon to milliliters is:
ml = teaspoons × 4.928922
For everyday cooking, most recipes allow rounding to 5 ml per teaspoon:
ml = teaspoons × 5 (cooking approximation)
Example: Convert 3 teaspoons to ml:
Exact: 3 × 4.928922 = 14.79 ml
Rounded: 3 × 5 = 15 ml (suitable for cooking)
Example: Convert 0.5 teaspoons to ml:
0.5 × 4.928922 = 2.46 ml
Teaspoon to ml Conversion Table
This table includes the fraction values most commonly searched — 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 tsp — alongside whole-number conversions. The rounded column is what most cooks use.
| Teaspoons | ml (exact) | ml (rounded) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 tsp | 0.616 ml | ~0.6 ml | Pinch of spice |
| 1/4 tsp | 1.232 ml | ~1.25 ml | Baking powder, salt |
| 1/2 tsp | 2.464 ml | ~2.5 ml | Vanilla extract, yeast |
| 3/4 tsp | 3.697 ml | ~3.7 ml | Baking soda |
| 1 tsp | 4.929 ml | ~5 ml | Standard single dose |
| 1.5 tsp | 7.393 ml | ~7.5 ml | Coffee, spice blends |
| 2 tsp | 9.858 ml | ~10 ml | Liquid medicine dose |
| 3 tsp | 14.787 ml | ~15 ml | 1 tablespoon |
| 4 tsp | 19.716 ml | ~20 ml | Sauce measure |
| 5 tsp | 24.645 ml | ~25 ml | Small shot measure |
| 6 tsp | 29.574 ml | ~30 ml | 1 fluid ounce equivalent |
| 10 tsp | 49.289 ml | ~50 ml | Small bottle portion |
| 12 tsp | 59.147 ml | ~60 ml | 4 tablespoons |
| 20 tsp | 98.578 ml | ~100 ml | Airline liquid limit |
ml to Teaspoon Conversion (Reverse)
To convert milliliters back to teaspoons, divide by 4.928922:
Teaspoons = ml ÷ 4.928922
Example: Convert 10 ml to teaspoons:
10 ÷ 4.928922 = 2.03 teaspoons (approximately 2 teaspoons)
Example: Convert 5 ml to teaspoons:
5 ÷ 4.928922 = 1.014 teaspoons (approximately 1 teaspoon)
This reverse conversion is useful when a medicine label specifies ml but your measuring spoon is marked in teaspoons.
US vs UK vs Metric Teaspoon — What Is the Difference?
Not all teaspoons are the same volume. Three different standards exist worldwide:
| Teaspoon Type | Volume (ml) | Countries / Use |
|---|---|---|
| US teaspoon | 4.929 ml | United States recipes |
| Metric teaspoon | 5 ml (exact) | UK, Australia, Canada, most of the world |
| Imperial UK teaspoon (old) | 5.919 ml | Historical UK recipes only |
Most modern international recipes use the metric teaspoon (5 ml exactly). US recipes use 4.929 ml. The 0.07 ml difference per teaspoon is negligible in cooking but becomes relevant in pharmaceutical dosing over multiple doses. Always check which system a recipe uses before converting.
Teaspoon Measurements in Cooking and Baking
Teaspoon fractions appear in nearly every baking recipe. Here are the most-referenced values and what they represent in real cooking:
- 1/8 tsp (0.6 ml) — Used for cayenne pepper, ground cloves, or other strong spices where a small amount changes the dish significantly.
- 1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) — Standard for baking powder or salt in small batches. Many bread recipes call for precisely 1/4 tsp of yeast activator.
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) — Common for vanilla extract in cookies and cakes. Also the typical serving for dried herbs like thyme or oregano.
- 1 tsp (5 ml) — The standard single dose in cooking and medicine. A teaspoon of olive oil adds approximately 4.5 grams of fat to a dish.
- 3 tsp (15 ml) — Equals exactly 1 tablespoon. Useful when a recipe calls for tablespoons but you only have a teaspoon measure available.
Teaspoon to ml in Medicine and Pharmaceuticals
Liquid medications are prescribed in milliliters but often labeled in teaspoons for patient convenience. The pharmacy standard is:
- 1 teaspoon dose = 5 ml (metric standard used in all modern pharmacies)
- 1/2 teaspoon dose = 2.5 ml
- 2 teaspoon dose = 10 ml
According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a US teaspoon is defined as exactly 4.928922 mL. However, pharmacy practice globally uses the metric 5 ml teaspoon for simplicity and safety. This means a medication labeled "1 tsp" always means 5 ml — not 4.929 ml.
Never use a kitchen teaspoon to measure medications. Kitchen spoons vary by up to 20% in actual volume. Always use a calibrated measuring syringe or marked dosing spoon for liquid medicines.
Limitations of Teaspoon to ml Conversion
- Kitchen spoon variation: Actual kitchen teaspoons vary widely in volume (3 ml to 7 ml depending on the spoon). Only standardized measuring spoons give reliable results.
- US vs metric difference: A US teaspoon (4.929 ml) differs from a metric teaspoon (5 ml) by 0.07 ml. For most cooking, this is irrelevant, but for large recipe scaling or pharmaceutical use, specify which standard you are using.
- Liquid vs dry ingredients: Teaspoon measurements behave differently for dry ingredients (flour, sugar, salt) versus liquids. This converter applies to liquid volumes only.
- Temperature effects: Viscous liquids like honey or syrup may not fill a teaspoon measure as accurately as water-based liquids at room temperature.
Related Volume Converters on DigiCalc
For other common kitchen or volume conversions, DigiCalc has dedicated tools:
- Use the ml to teaspoon converter for reverse conversions starting from milliliter values.
- The tablespoons to cups converter handles larger recipe quantities.
- For complete volume unit switching, try the volume converter covering gallons, fluid ounces, liters, and more.