Difference Between Teaspoon And Tablespoon (With Pictures)

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What Is A Teaspoon (tsp)?

A teaspoon is an item of cutlery. It is spoon that is designed for stirring hot or cold beverages like tea or coffee in the cup. It also often used for measuring cooking ingredients like spices, cooking oil, salt etc. Among the type of spoons (tablespoon, serving spoon and desert spoon), a teaspoon is the smallest spoon in terms of size. A standard measuring teaspoon has a volume of 5 milliliters (ml), though the volume of a teaspoon differs according to the regions and countries. For example in the UK, Australia and New Zealand a teaspoon is 5 ml whereas in the US a teaspoon is 4.93 ml.  In recipes, teaspoon is abbreviated as tsp or less often as ts or tspn.

What You Need To Know About Teaspoon

  • A teaspoon is a part of a cutlery set that is used to stir sugar in tea or coffee.
  • In recipes, teaspoon is abbreviated as tsp or less often as ts or tspn.
  • A real-life teaspoon has an approximate volume of 5 ml.
  • As a unit of culinary measure, one teaspoon is 1/3 of the tablespoon, which is ½ an ounce.
  • A teaspoon has a smaller bowl than a tablespoon.
  • These spoons have heads more or less oval in shape.
  • It is used for dosing of medicine and measuring small quantities like salt, spices, sugar, herbs and for stirring drinks.
  • Teaspoons are often made of metal.
  • The standard length of most teaspoons is between 3.5 inches to 4.5 inches.
  • There are generally two types of teaspoons: Long-handled and Short-handled teaspoons. Teaspoons with longer handles, such as iced teaspoons are commonly used for ice cream desserts or floats.

What Is A Tablespoon (tbsp)?

A tablespoon is a fairly large spoon that is generally used for eating foods at the table. A standard tablespoon has a volume of 15 milliliters, though just like a teaspoon, the volume of a tablespoon differs according to the regions and countries. US tablespoons are 14.79 ml whereas the UK tablespoons are 15 ml. Australian and New Zealand tablespoons are 20 ml whereas the French tablespoons are 30 ml. In recipes, an abbreviation like tbsp is usually used to refer to a tablespoon, to differentiate it from the smaller teaspoon (tsp).

A tablespoon should never be confused with a serving spoon or dessert spoon. A serving spoon is the largest spoon used for measuring larger things and serving foods at the table like sprouts, beans, potatoes, rice, vegetables, meat etc whereas the dessert spoon does not have a standard capacity, it is not used for measuring purposes, but only for eating desserts like puddings and pies.

What You Need To Know About Tablespoon

  • Tablespoon is a part of the cutlery set that is generally used for eating purpose.
  • In recipes, tablespoon is abbreviated as tbsp or less often as T.
  • A real-life tablespoon has an approximate volume of 15 ml.
  • As a unit of culinary measure, there are three teaspoons in a tablespoon.
  • A tablespoon has a larger wider bowl than a teaspoon.
  • These spoons have heads that more oval in shape.
  • Tablespoon is generally used for eating foods at the table, like sprouts, beans, potatoes.
  • Tablespoon can be made of plastic, wood and metal.
  • The standard length of most tablespoons is between 5-6 inches.
  • The volume of a tablespoon differs according to the regions and countries. For example in Australia, one tablespoon is equal to 4 teaspoons or 20 milliliters.

Difference Between Teaspoon And Tablespoon In Tabular Form

BASIS OF COMPARISON TEASPOON TABLESPOON
Description A teaspoon is a part of a cutlery set that is used to stir sugar in tea or coffee.   Tablespoon is a part of the cutlery set that is generally used for eating purpose.  
Abbreviation In recipes, teaspoon is abbreviated as tsp or less often as ts or tspn.   In recipes, tablespoon is abbreviated as tbsp or less often as T.  
Standard Volume A real-life teaspoon has an approximate volume of 5 ml.   A real-life tablespoon has an approximate volume of 15 ml.  
Culinary Measurement As a unit of culinary measure, one teaspoon is 1/3 of the tablespoon, which is ½ an ounce.   As a unit of culinary measure, there are three teaspoons in a tablespoon.  
Bowl A teaspoon has a smaller bowl than a tablespoon.   A tablespoon has a larger wider bowl than a teaspoon.  
Use It is used for dosing of medicine and measuring small quantities like salt, spices, sugar, herbs and for stirring drinks.   Tablespoon is generally used for eating foods at the table, like sprouts, beans, potatoes.  
Make Teaspoons are often made of metal.   Tablespoon can be made of plastic, wood and metal.  
Length The standard length of most teaspoons is between 3.5 inches to 4.5 inches.     The standard length of most tablespoons is between 5-6 inches.  
Classification There are two types of teaspoons:  Long-handled and Short-handled teaspoons. All tablespoons are of the same type.