Tablespoons to Pounds & Ounces Conversion Calculator

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1 tbsp = 0.032599236142 lb
1 tbsp = 0 lb 0.521587778272 oz

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How to Convert Tablespoons to Pounds

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Since tablespoons are a unit of volume and pounds are a unit of mass, which are different physical quantities, we need to know one more physical quantity of the ingredient or substance to convert between them. In this case, we need to account for the density of the substance whenever we do a conversion.

Therefore, to convert between tablespoons and pounds of an ingredient or substance, we must either multiply or divide by its density, depending on which direction we are performing the conversion.

Tablespoons to Pounds Formula

To convert a measurement in tablespoons to pounds, multiply the volume by the density of the ingredient, substance, or material. Note that in order for this to work, the density must be in pounds per tablespoon (lb/tbsp).

If the density is given in grams per milliliter (g/mL), then first divide the density by 30.6756 to convert to lb/tbsp.

For a density given in g/mL, you can use this simple formula to convert:

pounds = tablespoons × density30.6756

Thus, the weight in pounds is equal to the volume in tablespoons times the density (in g/mL) of the ingredient or material divided by 30.6756.

For example, here's how to convert 5 tablespoons to pounds for an ingredient with a density of 0.7 g/mL.
pounds = 5 tbsp × 0.7 g/mL30.6756 = 0.1141 lb

When to Convert Tablespoons to Pounds

Tablespoons and pounds are both commonly used to measure cooking ingredients.

For cooking applications, most chefs suggest measuring dry ingredients by weight rather than volume to improve accuracy in the measurements.[1] The density of dry ingredients can vary for a variety of reasons, such as compaction and clumping.

The best way to ensure an accurate conversion is to use a scale. When a scale is not available, a calculator like the one above is a good way to estimate the volume to weight conversion.

For cooking and baking ingredients, you can get more specific results using our butter, flour, and sugar conversion calculators.

Another useful application of weight and volume conversions is chemistry. When performing chemical reactions by combining separate chemicals to produce a new chemical, one must know the exact amount of each chemical to add in order to maximize the yield of the reaction.

It is common to mix powdered chemicals with liquid, or aqueous, chemicals, and this is where it becomes very useful to convert between weights and volumes.[2]

A third application of weight and volume conversions is when shipping freight when calculating the volumetric weight for cargo and packages. Trucks, ships, and airplanes are limited in the amount of weight or volume they can transport, so if one of those quantities is known, but the limitation is on the other, then it becomes necessary to convert between the two so as not to overload the shipping vehicle.

Keep reading to learn more about each unit of measure.

What Is a Tablespoon?

The tablespoon is a unit of volume equal to three teaspoons or ½ fluid ounce.[3] One tablespoon is equal to 14.7868 milliliters, but in nutrition labeling, one tablespoon is rounded to 15 milliliters.[4]

The tablespoon is a US customary unit of volume. Tablespoons can be abbreviated as tbsp, and are also sometimes abbreviated as T, Tbls, or Tb. For example, 1 tablespoon can be written as 1 tbsp, 1 T, 1 Tbls, or 1 Tb.

Learn more about tablespoons.

What Is a Pound?

Pounds are a widely used unit of weight in the United States. The National Bureau of Standards approved the international definition of the pound for use in the United States in 1959 after an agreement between six nations referred to as the International Yard and Pound Agreement.[5]

One pound is equal to 16 ounces, or 0.45359237 kilograms. In the avoirdupois or apothecaries' systems, one pound is equal to 7,000 grains.[6]

The pound is a US customary and imperial unit of mass. A pound is sometimes also referred to as a common ounce. Pounds can be abbreviated as lb (plural lbs), and are also sometimes abbreviated as lbm or #. For example, 1 pound can be written as 1 lb, 1 lbm, or 1 #, and 2 pounds can be written as 2 lbs.

A pound is also frequently referred to as a unit of weight. While technically, a pound is a measure of mass, and weight is actually a measure of force, the two are equivalent as long as we are performing our calculations on Earth.

For example, an object with a mass of 1 pound weighs 1 pound on Earth, but only weighs one-sixth of that on the moon, yet still has the same mass.

Learn more about pounds.

Tablespoon to Pound Conversion Table

Tablespoon measurements converted to pounds for commonly used cooking and baking ingredients.
Volume in Tablespoons: Weight in Pounds of:
Water Milk Cooking Oil All Purpose Flour Granulated Sugar
1/8 tbsp 0.004075 lb 0.004197 lb 0.003586 lb 0.002156 lb 0.003445 lb
1/4 tbsp 0.00815 lb 0.008394 lb 0.007172 lb 0.004311 lb 0.006889 lb
1/3 tbsp 0.010866 lb 0.011192 lb 0.009562 lb 0.005748 lb 0.009186 lb
1/2 tbsp 0.0163 lb 0.016789 lb 0.014344 lb 0.008622 lb 0.013779 lb
2/3 tbsp 0.021733 lb 0.022385 lb 0.019125 lb 0.011497 lb 0.018372 lb
3/4 tbsp 0.024449 lb 0.025183 lb 0.021515 lb 0.012934 lb 0.020668 lb
1 tbsp 0.032599 lb 0.033577 lb 0.028687 lb 0.017245 lb 0.027558 lb

References

  1. National Institute of Standards & Technology, Culinary Measurement Tips, https://www.nist.gov/pml/owm/culinary-measurement-tips
  2. CK-12 Foundation, Introductory Chemistry (CK-12) - 12.6: Mass-Volume Stoichiometry, https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_Chemistry/Introductory_Chemistry_(CK-12)/12%3A_Stoichiometry/12.06%3A_Mass-Volume_Stoichiometry
  3. Merriam-Webster, tablespoon, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tablespoon
  4. U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Guidance for Industry: Guidelines for Determining Metric Equivalents of Household Measures, https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/guidance-industry-guidelines-determining-metric-equivalents-household-measures
  5. National Bureau of Standards, Refinement of Values for the Yard and Pound, U.S. Department of Commerce, July 1, 1959, https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2017/05/09/frn-59-5442-1959.pdf
  6. Encyclopædia Britannica, Avoirdupois weight, https://www.britannica.com/science/avoirdupois-weight

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