How Many Tablespoons in 1/3 Cup of Butter?
1/3 cup of butter = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon.
Since tablespoons don’t divide evenly into thirds, this is one of those measurements that trips people up in recipes. Here’s the exact breakdown and a full conversion table for all common butter measurements.
Complete Butter Measurement Conversion Table
| Cups | Tablespoons | Teaspoons | Grams (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 cup | 2 tbsp | 6 tsp | 28g |
| 1/4 cup | 4 tbsp | 12 tsp | 57g |
| 1/3 cup | 5 tbsp + 1 tsp | 16 tsp | 76g |
| 3/8 cup | 6 tbsp | 18 tsp | 85g |
| 1/2 cup | 8 tbsp | 24 tsp | 113g |
| 2/3 cup | 10 tbsp + 2 tsp | 32 tsp | 151g |
| 3/4 cup | 12 tbsp | 36 tsp | 170g |
| 1 cup | 16 tbsp | 48 tsp | 227g |
Why 1/3 Cup Doesn’t Equal a Whole Number of Tablespoons
A standard US cup holds 16 tablespoons. Dividing 16 by 3 = 5.333… — so 1/3 cup is 5 tablespoons plus 1/3 of a tablespoon, which equals 1 teaspoon (since 1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons).
This is why recipes calling for 1/3 cup of butter are slightly awkward to measure with just a tablespoon.
Easiest Ways to Measure 1/3 Cup of Butter
- Use a 1/3 cup measuring cup — most measuring cup sets include 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, and 1 cup sizes.
- Weigh it — 1/3 cup butter = approximately 76 grams. A kitchen scale is the most accurate method.
- Use the tablespoon method — measure 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon as described above.
- Butter wrapper markings — most 100g or 500g butter blocks have measurement markings printed on the wrapper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1/3 cup of butter 5 or 6 tablespoons?
It’s 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon — which is between 5 and 6 tablespoons. For most baking, using exactly 5 tablespoons (just slightly under) will work without affecting the result.
How many tablespoons is 2/3 cup of butter?
2/3 cup = 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons. It’s exactly double 1/3 cup.
How many tablespoons is 1/4 cup of butter?
1/4 cup of butter = exactly 4 tablespoons. This one divides evenly.
How much does 1/3 cup of butter weigh in grams?
1/3 cup of butter weighs approximately 76 grams. If your recipe calls for grams, weighing is more precise than measuring by volume.
Is 1/3 cup butter the same as 1/3 cup melted butter?
No — a recipe that calls for 1/3 cup butter typically means solid butter measured in the cup. If it says “1/3 cup melted butter,” melt first, then measure. The weight is the same but volume measurements can differ slightly due to air in solid butter.