Milliliters to Teaspoon Conversion Calculator
Quickly convert milliliters (ml) to teaspoons (tsp) for your cooking, baking, or medicine needs.
Understanding Milliliters and Teaspoons
Milliliters (ml) and teaspoons (tsp) are two common volume measurements used in cooking, medicine, and everyday life. While milliliters are part of the metric system, teaspoons are traditional volume measures used in many recipes and medical dosing guidelines. Converting between these two units allows for greater flexibility when reading labels, interpreting international recipes, or preparing food and medications accurately.
This calculator helps you convert milliliters to teaspoons using various regional standards: US, Metric, and UK. The result is approximate, but close enough for most kitchen and household applications.
How Many Milliliters in a Teaspoon?
It depends on where you are:
- US Teaspoon: 1 tsp = 4.92892 ml (often rounded to 5 ml)
- Metric Teaspoon: 1 tsp = 5.0 ml (used in Australia, New Zealand, Canada)
- UK Teaspoon: 1 tsp = 5.91939 ml (pre-metrication, older British cookbooks)
While the differences may seem small, they can add up—especially in baking or when measuring potent substances like medications or supplements.
Why Convert ml to Teaspoons?
Here are some typical reasons to convert:
- You're using a recipe that lists ingredients in milliliters, but you only have teaspoon measuring tools.
- You’re preparing children’s medicine or liquid supplements based on ml, but dosing spoons are labeled in tsp.
- You want to estimate a small liquid amount when no milliliter-marked cup is available.
- You are translating an international recipe from metric to customary US kitchen tools.
Quick Conversion Table
| Milliliters (ml) | US Teaspoons | Metric Teaspoons | UK Teaspoons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ml | 0.203 tsp | 0.2 tsp | 0.169 tsp |
| 5 ml | 1.01 tsp | 1.00 tsp | 0.845 tsp |
| 10 ml | 2.03 tsp | 2.00 tsp | 1.69 tsp |
| 15 ml | 3.04 tsp | 3.00 tsp | 2.54 tsp |
| 30 ml | 6.08 tsp | 6.00 tsp | 5.07 tsp |
Is the Difference Important?
For most home cooking applications, small differences between 4.93 ml and 5.0 ml may not matter. However, there are important exceptions:
- Baking: Precise measurement matters when dealing with rising agents (baking soda, baking powder, yeast).
- Medicine: An overdose of even 1–2 ml can be risky for children or seniors.
- Supplements: Liquid vitamin concentrates or herbal tinctures often require exact volume dosing.
Tips for Measuring Accurately
- Use a syringe or medicine dropper when measuring under 5 ml.
- Use standardized measuring spoons for teaspoons—not flatware or regular cutlery spoons.
- When in doubt, round 1 tsp = 5 ml—this works well in most kitchen cases.
- Always check if your recipe or supplement instructions refer to US or metric tsp.
When to Use This Conversion
- Cooking: When your recipe calls for 15 ml olive oil and your tools only show teaspoons.
- Baking: For converting international ingredient lists from ml to tsp.
- Health: To estimate or double-check medication or nutritional liquid dosages.
- DIY & Household: For things like homemade cleaners, essential oil blends, or cosmetic recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is 5 ml always equal to 1 teaspoon?
A: In the metric system, yes. In the US system, 1 tsp = 4.92892 ml—but many round to 5 ml for simplicity. For precision, refer to the selected standard.
Q: Can I use regular spoons instead of measuring spoons?
A: Not reliably. Household spoons can vary greatly in size. For accuracy, use standardized measuring spoons marked in tsp/ml.
Q: What's the safest way to measure liquid medicine?
A: Always use a calibrated syringe, dropper, or dosing cup marked in milliliters. Do not estimate with a teaspoon unless labeled and calibrated.
Q: Why are there different tsp sizes in different countries?
A: Teaspoon definitions evolved differently over time. The US standardized the teaspoon to ≈4.93 ml, while the metric system rounded to 5.0 ml. The UK used ≈5.92 ml prior to metrication.
Final Thoughts
Converting milliliters to teaspoons is easy with the right reference and understanding of which standard you're using. While small differences may be acceptable in casual cooking, in health-related or scientific uses, precision matters. This calculator helps you bridge international standards, understand your recipes better, and measure with greater confidence. When in doubt, measure both ways—or use a milliliter-marked tool for best accuracy.