The milliliter (mL) is a metric unit of volume equal to one-thousandth of a liter, widely used in medicine, cooking, and chemistry for measuring small liquid quantities. Cough syrup dosages, perfume bottles, and laboratory reagents are all commonly labeled in milliliters. One milliliter equals exactly one cubic centimeter, making it interchangeable with cm³ in scientific contexts.

The tablespoon (tbsp) is a volume unit equal to 3 teaspoons or approximately 14.787 milliliters, primarily used in cooking recipes and nutritional labels. In the kitchen, one tablespoon of butter, oil, or sugar provides a consistent measure regardless of the spoon's physical size. One US tablespoon equals exactly 0.5 US fluid ounces.