Liquid Medicine: Never Use a Kitchen Spoon

Updated 17 April 2026

Important safety notice

Do not use kitchen spoons to measure liquid medicine. Household teaspoons vary from 2.5 ml to 7 ml depending on the spoon design. A kitchen tablespoon may be anywhere from 12 ml to 20 ml. Using the wrong spoon can triple or third a medicine dose.

Always use the dosing syringe or dosing cup supplied with the medicine. If no measuring device was provided, ask your pharmacist for a free oral syringe.

The Documented Risk

The FDA has published guidance on paediatric dosing errors noting that household spoons are a significant cause of incorrect liquid medicine measurement. Studies in paediatric emergency medicine have found that a substantial proportion of caregivers use kitchen spoons rather than calibrated dosing devices, with error rates as high as 40% in some study groups. The most common error is confusing a teaspoon (5 ml) with a tablespoon (15 ml), which triples the intended dose.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all liquid medicines for children be measured in millilitres (ml) using a calibrated oral syringe. If a label says "1 teaspoon (5 ml)", use a syringe marked to 5 ml, not a kitchen teaspoon.

Safe Measurement Reference

Only use this table if you have a calibrated measuring device. Never use a dinner spoon.

Teaspoons (calibrated)mlTablespoonsContext
1/2 tsp2.5 ml1/6 tbspCommon infant dose for paracetamol/Calpol
1 tsp5 ml1/3 tbspStandard teaspoon dose for children
1.5 tsp7.5 ml1/2 tbspCommon paediatric antibiotic dose
2 tsp10 ml2/3 tbspLarger paediatric dose
3 tsp15 ml1 tbspAdult tablespoon dose

If You Suspect a Dosing Error

USA

Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

24 hours

UK

NHS 111

Or 999 for emergencies

Australia

13 11 26 (Poisons Info)

24 hours

Ireland

Poisons Info: 01 809 2166

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a teaspoon of medicine 5 ml?
Yes, a calibrated medical teaspoon is 5 ml. However, a kitchen teaspoon is NOT reliable: household teaspoons vary from 2.5 ml to 7 ml depending on design. For any medicine, use the syringe or dosing cup supplied with the product.
Why should I not use a kitchen spoon for medicine?
Kitchen spoons are not calibrated. A household teaspoon may hold 2.5 ml to 7 ml, not the 5 ml it should. Studies cited by the FDA show up to 40% of parents measuring children's medicine with kitchen spoons dose incorrectly, some by triple the correct amount.
My medicine says 1 tbsp. Is that 15 ml?
In medical packaging in the US, 1 tablespoon = 15 ml and 1 teaspoon = 5 ml. However, always use the measuring device supplied with the medicine. If only a dosing cup is provided, fill to the appropriate ml or tsp line, do not estimate with kitchen spoons.
What if the dosing cup is lost?
Ask your pharmacist for an oral syringe. These are often available free of charge at the pharmacy counter. Oral syringes are calibrated in ml and are significantly more accurate than any spoon for liquid medicines.
Are baby dosing syringes accurate?
Yes. Calibrated oral syringes from a pharmacy are the most accurate tool for measuring liquid medicine for infants and children. They are far more accurate than any household spoon. Use the syringe provided with the medicine, or ask the pharmacist for one.

Disclaimer: This page is for reference only. Always follow the instructions on your medicine packaging or from your pharmacist. If you are unsure about a dosage, contact your pharmacist or the medicine manufacturer. The sources referenced include FDA Consumer Updates on dosing errors and the American Academy of Pediatrics guidance on oral medication administration.

Sources and Citationstbsp to tsp Converter