How to convert grams to tablespoons
A US tablespoon is about 14.79 mL, so tablespoons = grams ÷ (density × 14.79). For water (density 1), 20 g is about 1.35 tablespoons. Three teaspoons make one tablespoon.
Grams measure mass and tablespoons measure volume, so there is no single answer without knowing how heavy the ingredient is per millilitre. That is what the density figure does. Multiply the density by 14.79 and you get the grams in one tablespoon: flour at 0.53 g/mL gives about 7.8 g per tablespoon, granulated sugar at 0.85 gives about 12.6 g, butter at 0.96 gives about 14.2 g and honey at 1.42 gives about 21 g.
The same numbers feed straight into the grams to teaspoons calculator.
How to use this calculator
Enter the grams and the ingredient density. Density in g/mL: water 1, flour ~0.53, granulated sugar ~0.85, milk ~1.03, honey ~1.42, butter ~0.96. For the reverse — tablespoons to grams — see the tbsp to grams calculator.
Worked example: a recipe calls for 50 g of honey. With a density of 1.42, one tablespoon weighs 1.42 x 14.79 = 21 g, so 50 divided by 21 is about 2.4 tablespoons - two tablespoons plus a rounded teaspoon, since 3 teaspoons make a tablespoon.
Two practical warnings. Flour density swings widely with how it is packed: scooped straight from the bag it can be 20% heavier than spooned in and levelled, which is why bakers weigh it. And sticky ingredients such as honey, syrup and nut butter leave a film in the spoon, so a lightly oiled spoon delivers closer to the intended weight. For anything where precision matters, a kitchen scale beats spoons every time.
Once that is settled, the grams to cups calculator takes care of the next part.
Frequently asked questions
- How many tablespoons is 20 grams?
- About 1.35 tablespoons of water; it varies by ingredient density.
- How many grams in a tablespoon?
- About 15 g of water, 12.6 g of sugar, or 8 g of flour.
- How do I convert grams to tablespoons?
- Divide grams by the density times 14.79.
- How many teaspoons in a tablespoon?
- Three teaspoons equal one tablespoon.
- Is a metric tablespoon the same as a US one?
- No. This calculator uses the US tablespoon of 14.79 mL. A metric tablespoon is 15 mL and an Australian tablespoon is 20 mL, so an Australian recipe measure holds about 35% more than a US one - enough to matter for baking powder, salt and yeast.