Updated 31 July 2026 · Written by Sofia Romano
There are 48 teaspoons in a US cup. Since a cup holds 16 tablespoons and each tablespoon is 3 teaspoons, 16 times 3 gives 48 teaspoons. So half a cup is 24 teaspoons and a quarter cup is 12 teaspoons.
1 cup = 48 teaspoons (16 tablespoons x 3). Half cup = 24 tsp, quarter cup = 12 tsp.
The Math
A cup is 16 tablespoons, and each tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons, so a cup contains 48 teaspoons. It is rarely practical to measure a whole cup in teaspoons, but the number is handy for scaling small amounts.
When You Need It
Knowing this helps when you only have a teaspoon to hand, or when scaling a recipe up or down between spoons and cups.
Cup to Teaspoon
| Amount | Teaspoons |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | 48 tsp |
| 1/2 cup | 24 tsp |
| 1/4 cup | 12 tsp |
| 1 tablespoon | 3 tsp |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teaspoons in half a cup?
There are 24 teaspoons in half a cup, since a full cup holds 48.
How many teaspoons in a tablespoon?
Three teaspoons make one tablespoon, in both US and UK measuring.
