Convert Instant Coffee from Tablespoon to Cup

How many cups is 1 tablespoon of instant coffee?

1 tablespoon of instant coffee (instant coffee granules) is 0.06 cups. 2 tablespoons of instant coffee is 0.12 cups. 1/2 tablespoon of instant coffee is 0.03 cups. Use the converter below for any amount.

  • These figures use the metric cup (250 ml). A US cup is slightly smaller at 240 ml, so it holds a little less. Use the US 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 Cup

Common Instant Coffee Conversions

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

TablespoonsCups
1 tbsp0.06 cups
2 tbsp0.12 cups
3 tbsp0.18 cups
4 tbsp0.24 cups
6 tbsp0.36 cups
8 tbsp0.48 cups
10 tbsp0.6 cups
12 tbsp0.72 cups
16 tbsp0.96 cups

Instant Coffee Conversion Chart

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

tbspcupgramsouncescup(US)tsp
1 tbsp0.06 cup3.3 g0.12 oz0.06 cup (US)3 tsp
2 tbsp0.12 cup6.6 g0.23 oz0.13 cup (US)6 tsp
3 tbsp0.18 cup9.9 g0.35 oz0.19 cup (US)9 tsp
4 tbsp0.24 cup13.2 g0.47 oz0.25 cup (US)12 tsp

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cups is 1 tablespoon of instant coffee?
1 tablespoon of instant coffee is 0.06 cups. The ratio is fixed, so 2 tablespoons of instant coffee is 0.12 cups and 0.5 tablespoons is 0.03 cups. 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 cups is 1.5 tablespoons of instant coffee?
1.5 tablespoons of instant coffee is 0.09 cups. The ratio is fixed, so 1 tablespoon of instant coffee is 0.06 cups and 2 tablespoons is 0.12 cups. Type any other amount into the converter above for the exact figure, or use the chart below for the common ones.
How many cups is 2 tablespoons of instant coffee?
2 tablespoons of instant coffee is 0.12 cups. Conversions scale in a straight line, so halving or doubling a recipe keeps the same ratio. 1 tablespoon of instant coffee is 0.06 cups, and you can multiply or divide that figure to match whatever your recipe needs. Enter any amount in the converter above for an exact cups reading.
How many tablespoons of instant coffee is 0.06 cups?
0.06 cups of instant coffee is 1 tablespoon. The conversion works the same in reverse, so you can switch between cups and tablespoons without changing the result. This helps when a recipe lists tablespoons but you would rather weigh or measure in cups. The converter above and the chart below cover both directions for any amount.
How many cups is 1 tablespoon of instant coffee granules?
Instant coffee granules is another name for instant coffee, so 1 tablespoon of instant coffee granules is 0.06 cups, exactly the same as instant coffee. The figure does not change with the name: 2 tablespoons is 0.12 cups and 0.5 tablespoons is 0.03 cups. 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 tablespoon of instant coffee is 0.06 cups under either name, and 2 tablespoons is 0.12 cups. Recipes use the two names interchangeably, so you can follow either one without changing quantities or weighing any differently.
How many cups is 1/2 tablespoon of instant coffee?
1/2 tablespoon of instant coffee is 0.03 cups. The ratio is fixed, so 1 tablespoon of instant coffee is 0.06 cups and 2 tablespoons is 0.12 cups. 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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