the abbreviation, as Tbsp., while leaving tsp. in lower case, to emphasize that the larger tablespoon, rather than the smaller teaspoon, is wanted. The tablespoon abbreviation is sometimes further abbreviated to Tb. or T. Relationship to teaspoon and fluid ounce In most places, except Australia, one tablespoon equals three teaspoons—and one US tablespoon is or . Traditional definitions In nutrition labeling in the U.S. and the U.K., a tablespoon is defined as . In Australia, the definition of the tablespoon is . International A metric tablespoon is exactly equal to . United States The traditional U.S. interpretation of the tablespoon as a unit of volume is: {| |- |1 US tablespoon ||= 4 fluid drams |- |||= 3 teaspoons |- |||= US fluid ounce |- |||≈ 14.8 ml |} Australia The Australian definition of the tablespoon as a unit of volume is: {| |- |1 Australian tablespoon ||colspan=3| = 20 ml |- | ||colspan=3| ≈ fl oz |- | || = 2 dessertspoons, ||style="text-align:right;"| 1 dessertspoon = || 10 ml each |- | || = 4 teaspoons, ||style="text-align:right;"| 1 teaspoon = || 5 ml each |} Dry measure For dry ingredients, if a recipe calls for a level tablespoon, the usual meaning without further qualification, is measured by filling the spoon and scraping it level. In contrast, a heaped, heaping, or rounded spoonful is not leveled off, and includes a heap above the spoon. The exact volume of a heaped tablespoon depends somewhat on the shape and curvature of the measuring spoon being used and largely upon the physical properties of the substance being measured, and so is not a precise unit of measurement. If neither a rounded nor a level tablespoon is specified, a level tablespoon is used, just as a cup of flour is a level cup unless otherwise specified. Apothecary measure In the 18th century, the table-spoon became an unofficial unit of the apothecaries' system of measures, equal to 4 drams ( fl oz, 14.8 ml). It was more commonly known by the Latin name cochleare majus (abbreviated cochl. maj.) or, in apothecaries' notation, f℥ss or f℥ß. See also Dessert spoon Teaspoon References Cooking weights and measures Units of volume Spoons Customary units of measurement in the United States Imperial units Metricated units Alcohol measurement