Convert Instant Coffee from Cup (US) to Tablespoon

How many tablespoons is 1 US cup of instant coffee?

1 US cup of instant coffee (instant coffee granules) is 16 tablespoons. 2 US cups of instant coffee is 32 tablespoons. 1/2 US cup of instant coffee is 8 tablespoons. Use the converter below for any amount.

  • These figures use the US cup (240 ml). A metric cup is slightly larger at 250 ml, so it holds a little more. Use the metric cup converter →
  • Cup sizes are not standard worldwide, so the same cup of an ingredient can weigh more or less depending on the country. What is a cup measurement →
  • A tablespoon here is the 15 ml metric standard, about 16.67 to a metric cup, the same size as a UK tablespoon. A US tablespoon is smaller at 14.79 ml, so US cooks measuring with US spoons need slightly more. An Australian tablespoon is larger at 20 ml, so it holds about a third more. When tablespoon size matters →
  • A little over or under won't ruin the bake, though it can nudge the final taste or colour.

Instant coffee is soluble coffee granules or powder that dissolve instantly in liquid, used in baking for frostings, no-bake slices, tiramisu-style desserts, and coffee cakes. One metric cup (250 ml) of instant coffee weighs around 55 grams or 1.94 ounces. Most recipes call for it by the teaspoon, where 1 tsp weighs about 1.1 grams.

Instant coffee granules vary from fine powder to coarse crystals, and different brands pack to very different densities per teaspoon. Measuring by weight gives consistent coffee strength when scaling a frosting or baked recipe.

Also known as

  • instant coffee granules
  • coffee granules
  • soluble coffee
  • coffee powder

Ground coffee provides a stronger, fresher flavour than instant but does not dissolve. Use the ground coffee converter for baked recipes where heat will disperse the grounds, such as coffee cakes and dry rubs. See our Ground Coffee converter.

Out of instant coffee? See instant coffee substitutes →

No measuring cups? The tool below gets you close. For consistent results, grab a measuring cup set.

Instant Coffee Measurement Converter

Enter a value and pick your units.

Result

0 Tablespoon

Common Instant Coffee Conversions

Here are the most common instant coffee conversions from cups (US) to tablespoons.

Cups (US)Tablespoons
0.25 cups (US)4 tbsp
0.5 cups (US)8 tbsp
0.75 cups (US)12 tbsp
1 cup (US)16 tbsp
1.25 cups (US)20 tbsp
1.5 cups (US)24 tbsp
2 cups (US)32 tbsp
2.5 cups (US)40 tbsp
3 cups (US)48 tbsp

Instant Coffee Conversion Chart

The conversion chart below gives a quick reference for converting instant coffee from Cup (US) to Tablespoon and other measurements.

cup(US)tbspcupgramsouncestsp
0.25 cup (US)4 tbsp0.24 cup13.2 g0.47 oz12 tsp
0.5 cup (US)8 tbsp0.48 cup26.4 g0.93 oz24 tsp
1 cup (US)16 tbsp0.96 cup52.8 g1.86 oz48 tsp
2 cup (US)32 tbsp1.92 cup105.6 g3.72 oz96 tsp

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tablespoons is 1 US cup of instant coffee?
1 US cup of instant coffee is 16 tablespoons. The ratio is fixed, so 2 US cups of instant coffee is 32 tablespoons and 0.5 US cups is 8 tablespoons. Use the converter above for any quantity, or check the conversion chart on this page for the most common amounts at a glance. Open the instant coffee converter
How many tablespoons is 1.5 US cups of instant coffee?
1.5 US cups of instant coffee is 24 tablespoons. The ratio is fixed, so 1 US cup of instant coffee is 16 tablespoons and 2 US cups is 32 tablespoons. Type any other amount into the converter above for the exact figure, or use the chart below for the common ones.
How many tablespoons is 2 US cups of instant coffee?
2 US cups of instant coffee is 32 tablespoons. Conversions scale in a straight line, so halving or doubling a recipe keeps the same ratio. 1 US cup of instant coffee is 16 tablespoons, and you can multiply or divide that figure to match whatever your recipe needs. Enter any amount in the converter above for an exact tablespoons reading.
How many US cups of instant coffee is 16 tablespoons?
16 tablespoons of instant coffee is 1 US cup. The conversion works the same in reverse, so you can switch between tablespoons and US cups without changing the result. This helps when a recipe lists US cups but you would rather weigh or measure in tablespoons. The converter above and the chart below cover both directions for any amount.
How many tablespoons is 1 US cup of instant coffee granules?
Instant coffee granules is another name for instant coffee, so 1 US cup of instant coffee granules is 16 tablespoons, exactly the same as instant coffee. The figure does not change with the name: 2 US cups is 32 tablespoons and 0.5 US cups is 8 tablespoons. Use the converter above for any quantity, or read the conversion chart on this page for the most common amounts.
Are instant coffee and instant coffee granules the same thing?
Yes. Instant coffee granules is another name for instant coffee, so they are the same ingredient and convert identically. 1 US cup of instant coffee is 16 tablespoons under either name, and 2 US cups is 32 tablespoons. Recipes use the two names interchangeably, so you can follow either one without changing quantities or weighing any differently.
How many tablespoons is 1/2 US cup of instant coffee?
1/2 US cup of instant coffee is 8 tablespoons. The ratio is fixed, so 1 US cup of instant coffee is 16 tablespoons and 2 US cups is 32 tablespoons. Half measures come up often when scaling a recipe down, and the figure divides cleanly. Use the converter above for any other amount, or the chart below for the common ones.

Other Ingredients

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