Volume & Capacity Guide: 1 TSP is mL

How Many mL in a Teaspoon? (1 tsp is mL)

Teaspoon measuring liquid ingredients in kitchen baking setup

✍️ Author: OmniConverter Editorial Team 🔬 Reviewed by: OmniConverter Technical Review Board 📅 Last Reviewed: October 2026 ⏱️ 4 min read

Whether you are measuring active baking yeast, vanilla extract, liquid cough medicine, or spices, precise teaspoon volume conversion is vital for success. A fundamental kitchen culinary question asked worldwide is: 1 TSP is how many mL?

Quick Summary Answer

Metric Teaspoon (UK, Australia, NZ, Canada): 1 tsp = exactly 5.00 mL
US Customary Teaspoon: 1 tsp = 4.93 mL (4.92892 mL)
US Food Nutrition Labeling (FDA standard): 1 tsp = 5.00 mL

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5.00 mL

1 Metric tsp = 5.00 mL (US Customary tsp = 4.93 mL)

Understanding Teaspoon Standards Around the World

A milliliter (mL) is a standardized metric unit of volume equal to 0.001 liters. Because the metric system is decimal based, milliliters provide precision across cooking, pharmacology, and chemistry. Depending on where your recipe or medical dosage instructions originated, the exact volume of 1 teaspoon varies:

US Customary Teaspoon: Equal to 1/3 tablespoon, 1/6 fluid ounce, or 4.92892 mL.
Metric Teaspoon: Standardized across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Canada as exactly 5.00 mL.
Medical Dosing Teaspoon: Standardized in pharmacology as exactly 5 mL to prevent medication dosing errors.

Step-by-Step Mathematical Formula

To convert any fractional teaspoon measurement into milliliters, multiply the teaspoon value by 4.92892:

        Volume in mL = Teaspoons x 4.92892 mL per Teaspoon
      

For everyday kitchen cooking and baking, rounding 4.93 mL to 5 mL is universally accepted across recipe books. However, when dosing pediatric liquid medication, always use the calibrated oral syringe provided by your pharmacy rather than a household eating spoon.

Comprehensive Teaspoons to Milliliters Conversion Table

The table below provides a quick kitchen reference mapping fractional teaspoons to milliliters and fluid ounces:

Teaspoon Portion (TSP)	US Customary Volume (mL)	Metric Standard Volume (mL)	Equivalent US Fluid Ounces
1/8 TSP	0.616 mL	0.625 mL	0.021 fl oz
1/4 TSP	1.232 mL	1.250 mL	0.042 fl oz
1/2 TSP	2.464 mL	2.500 mL	0.083 fl oz
3/4 TSP	3.697 mL	3.750 mL	0.125 fl oz
1.00 TSP	4.929 mL	5.000 mL	0.167 fl oz
1.50 TSP (1/2 TBSP)	7.393 mL	7.500 mL	0.250 fl oz
2.00 TSP	9.858 mL	10.000 mL	0.333 fl oz
3.00 TSP (1 TBSP)	14.787 mL	15.000 mL	0.500 fl oz

Liquid vs Dry Teaspoon Measurements

When measuring liquid ingredients like olive oil, honey, or vanilla extract, the liquid fills the volume completely. However, when measuring dry powdered spices like baking powder, cinnamon, or salt:

Level Teaspoon: Sweep the top flat with a knife for exact volume (4.93 mL).
Heaping Teaspoon: Creates a rounded mound that can double the weight of the ingredient (up to 8 or 10 mL). Always use level teaspoons in baking!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 1 teaspoon equal to 5 mL?

1 US teaspoon equals 4.93 mL, which is commonly rounded to 5 mL in kitchen cooking. In the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, 1 metric teaspoon is defined as exactly 5.00 mL.

How many teaspoons make 1 tablespoon?

There are exactly 3 teaspoons in 1 tablespoon.

How many teaspoons are in 1 fluid ounce?

There are 6 US teaspoons in 1 US fluid ounce.

Conclusion

Knowing that 1 TSP equals 4.93 mL (rounded to 5 mL) ensures cooking precision and safe medical dosing. Try our free volume and capacity converter or bookmark this guide for quick reference!

Teaspoon Volume Standards: Kitchen vs Medical Dosage Safety

Accurate spoon volumes differ subtly between countries and scientific standards:

Standard / System	Exact Volume in mL	Fluid Ounces (fl oz)	Primary Use Case
Metric / Nutrition Teaspoon ★	5.000 mL	0.169 fl oz	UK, Commonwealth, Food Labels & Medicine dosing
US Customary Teaspoon	4.929 mL	0.167 fl oz	American recipes & culinary measuring spoons
Imperial Teaspoon (UK Old)	5.919 mL	0.208 fl oz	Historical British cookbooks (pre-metrication)
Household Table Cutlery Teaspoon	3.0 to 7.0 mL (Variable)	Variable	Tea/Coffee stirring (NEVER use for medication dosing)

⚠️ Medical Safety Note: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and NHS strictly advise against using ordinary household silverware teaspoons to administer liquid cough syrups or pediatric antibiotics. Household spoons vary from 3 mL to over 7 mL in capacity. Always use the calibrated oral syringe or measuring cup provided with the medication.