What Size Scoop is 3 Tablespoons?

November 22, 2025 •

3 min read

Scoops are widely used for portioning in both home and professional kitchens, but their sizes can be confusingly labeled with a numbering system that seems counterintuitive. To get a perfectly uniform portion of 3 tablespoons, you will need a #20 disher scoop, which is the standard industry size for this measurement.

Quick Summary

A #20 disher scoop is the equivalent of 3 tablespoons, useful for portioning out cookie dough, meatballs, or cupcake batter. Understanding the disher numbering system, where a lower number indicates a larger scoop, helps ensure accurate and consistent food portions.

Key Points

Identify the Correct Scoop: The standard #20 disher scoop is equivalent to 3 tablespoons.
Consistent Portions: Using the correct scoop ensures uniform sizes for items like cookies, cupcakes, and meatballs, leading to even baking.
Understanding Disher Numbers: The number on a disher indicates how many scoops make up a quart, so a smaller number means a larger scoop.
Alternative Measurement: If a #20 scoop is unavailable, measure out three individual tablespoons using a standard measuring spoon for accuracy.
Pro Tip for Dry Goods: For maximum precision with dry ingredients, level off the contents of the scoop or measure with a kitchen scale.
Versatile Kitchen Tool: Beyond baking, the #20 scoop is useful for portioning ice cream, mashed potatoes, or filling large muffin tins.

Demystifying the Disher Scoop System

The most common scoop sizes, known as dishers in professional culinary settings, are identified by a numbered system. This system is based on how many scoops it takes to fill a 1-quart (32 oz) container, meaning that a lower number corresponds to a larger scoop. This system can be confusing for home cooks accustomed to standard measuring cups and spoons, but once you understand the logic, it becomes a powerful tool for portion control and achieving consistent results.

The #20 Scoop: Your 3-Tablespoon Answer

The #20 scoop is the size you are looking for if a recipe calls for a 3-tablespoon portion. This scoop is an excellent tool for baking jumbo cookies, making consistently sized meatballs, or portioning out cupcake batter. Using a scoop is far more accurate than trying to eyeball multiple spoonfuls, which can lead to unevenly baked or inconsistently sized results.

Beyond the #20: Other Common Scoop Sizes

To better understand the scale, here are some other common disher sizes and their approximate tablespoon equivalents:

#60 scoop: A small scoop, holding about 1 tablespoon. Ideal for small cookies or mini muffins.
#40 scoop: A medium scoop, holding about 1.5 tablespoons. A versatile size for standard cookies.
#30 scoop: Holds approximately 2 tablespoons. Good for larger cookies or cupcakes.
#12 scoop: A very large scoop, holding about 1/3 cup or 5 tablespoons. Perfect for oversized items.

Why Use Portion Scoops?

Using portion scoops offers several benefits in the kitchen, extending beyond simple measurement. It promotes consistency, which is critical for baking. When every cookie dough ball is the same size, they will all bake evenly, preventing some from being underdone while others are burnt. Scoops also save time and reduce mess, making the portioning process faster and cleaner than using spoons. The trigger-release mechanism on most dishers ensures a clean release of the food, leaving little to no waste. This consistency is a hallmark of professional baking and a simple trick for home cooks to upgrade their results.

Comparison Table: Scoop Size vs. Tablespoons


Scoop Number	Approx. Tablespoon	Approx. Fluid Ounces	Common Uses
#20	3 Tbsp	1.5 oz	Jumbo cookies, meatballs
#40	1.5 Tbsp	0.75 oz	Standard cookies, small muffins
#60	1 Tbsp	0.5 oz	Mini cookies, small meatballs
#16	4 Tbsp (1/4 cup)	2 oz	Large muffins, cupcake batter
#10	3.8 Tbsp	3.25 oz	Ice cream, larger portions

How to Measure Accurately Without a Scoop

If you don't have a #20 scoop on hand, there are other ways to measure 3 tablespoons accurately. You can use standard measuring spoons to measure out three individual tablespoons of your ingredient. For liquid ingredients, a liquid measuring cup with metric markings will also suffice, as 1 tablespoon is equal to 15 milliliters, making 3 tablespoons 45 milliliters. For dry ingredients, you can use a kitchen scale for the most precise measurement. Since 1 tablespoon is approximately 15 grams, 3 tablespoons would be 45 grams, though this can vary depending on the ingredient's density. Measuring with a scoop is often the fastest method, but these alternatives are reliable when you lack the specific tool.

The Professional Standard: Disher Color-Coding

For those who use scoops frequently, many brands implement a color-coding system on the handle to simplify identification in a busy kitchen. While the specific colors can vary slightly by manufacturer, they often follow a standard, making it easy to grab the right size without needing to double-check the number every time. The #20 scoop is commonly associated with a yellow handle, but it's always best to confirm the measurement with the manufacturer's chart, especially in a professional setting. This system helps streamline processes and ensures consistency, whether you're baking a batch of cookies at home or portioning food in a restaurant.

Conclusion

Understanding what size scoop is 3 tablespoons is a simple but essential piece of kitchen knowledge that improves baking consistency and portion control. The answer is a #20 disher scoop, a widely available tool in various kitchen stores. By knowing the standard disher numbering system and the equivalent tablespoon measurements, you can avoid guesswork and achieve perfect, uniform results in your culinary creations, from perfectly round cookies to evenly sized meatballs.

Baking Consistency with the Right Scoop: Further Reading

For additional information on portion control and measurement accuracy in baking, consider consulting the USDA's Food Buying Guide, which includes detailed capacity tables for scoops and dishers.

Frequently Asked Questions

A scoop, or disher, is a portioning tool used for consistent sizing, whereas a measuring spoon is a precise volume measurement tool. While a #20 scoop holds 3 tablespoons, its primary purpose is portion control, unlike a standard measuring spoon.

Yes, in many professional kitchen settings, a #20 disher scoop, which holds approximately 3 tablespoons, is indicated by a yellow handle. However, it's always best to verify with the manufacturer's specific chart, as colors can vary slightly.

No, a #40 scoop is significantly smaller, holding only about 1.5 tablespoons. You would need to use two of the #40 scoops to get approximately 3 tablespoons, though this might not be as precise as a single #20 scoop.

A 3-tablespoon scoop (#20) is equivalent to 1.5 fluid ounces. This volume is a helpful reference for recipes that list ingredients in ounces instead of tablespoons.

A 3-tablespoon (#20) scoop is ideal for portioning large cookies, oversized muffins or cupcakes, uniform meatballs, and serving ice cream. Its size is perfect for creating satisfying, jumbo-sized treats.

The disher numbering system, based on how many scoops fill a quart, is a widely used industry standard. However, there can be slight variations in exact measurements between different manufacturers, so professional cooks often stick to one brand for consistency.

Without a scoop or standard measuring spoons, you can approximate the measurement. Since a standard tablespoon is 15ml, 3 tablespoons is 45ml. You can use a kitchen scale to measure approximately 45 grams for a dry ingredient, but keep in mind that density will affect accuracy.