Quick answer
Use about 1 level scoop of ground coffee, which is 2 level tablespoons or about 10 g, for every 6 oz cup of water. For a full 12-cup coffee maker, that works out to about 10 to 11 scoops, or 21 tablespoons (about 105 g). For a 12 oz mug, use about 2 scoops, or 22 g. These amounts make a medium-strength cup. Add half a scoop for a stronger pot, or use a little less for a lighter one, and weigh your coffee if you want the same result every day.
How many scoops of coffee for a pot
Most drip coffee makers count a “cup” as 5 oz of water, not the 8 oz cup you’d measure in the kitchen, so a 12-cup pot is about 60 oz. Fill the water to the line you want, then use this chart.
| Pot | Water | Scoops | Tbsp | Grams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 cups | 20 oz | 3½ | 7 | 35 g |
| 6 cups | 30 oz | 5 | 10 | 50 g |
| 8 cups | 40 oz | 7 | 14 | 70 g |
| 10 cups | 50 oz | 8½ | 17 | 85 g |
| 12 cups | 60 oz | 10½ | 21 | 105 g |
These amounts are about 1:17, one part coffee to 17 parts water by weight, the ratio we recommend for drip machines in our coffee to water ratio chart.
How much coffee for one cup or mug
If you brew one cup at a time, measure by the size of your mug.
| Cup size | Scoops | Tbsp | Grams |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 oz cup | 1 | 2 | 10 g |
| 8 oz cup | 1½ | 3 | 15 g |
| 12 oz mug | 2 | 4½ | 22 g |
| 16 oz mug | 3 | 6 | 30 g |
How big is a coffee scoop?
A standard coffee scoop holds about 2 level tablespoons, which is roughly 10 g of ground coffee. But scoops aren’t all the same. Some that come with coffee makers hold just 1 tablespoon, so check yours: fill it with water and pour it into a tablespoon measure. This guide uses level scoops and tablespoons. A heaped scoop can hold half as much again.
Even a level tablespoon varies, from about 5 to 7 g depending on the grind and the roast. Dark roasts are lighter and puffier than light roasts, so the same scoop holds less coffee by weight.
Why we suggest weighing your coffee
A scoop measures volume, so it changes with the grind, the roast and how full you pack it. A kitchen scale measures weight, which doesn’t change. If your coffee tastes different from day to day, weighing is the easiest fix. Water is easy too: 1 g of water is 1 ml, so you can weigh that on the same scale. Our guide to the best coffee scales covers good options, and any kitchen scale that reads in 1 g steps will work.
How much coffee for other brewers
| Brewer | Coffee | Water | Roughly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pour-over | 20 g | 320 g | 4 tbsp for 11 oz |
| French press | 30 g | 450 g | 6 tbsp for 15 oz |
| Cold brew concentrate | 80 g | 640 g | 1 cup of grounds for 22 oz |
| Espresso | 18 g | 36 g out | A double shot |
Our ratio and grind size chart covers every brewer, and our guides to brewing coffee at home and cold brew in a French press walk through the steps.
Too weak or too strong?
- Weak or watery: add half a scoop per pot, or check that your grind isn’t too coarse.
- Too strong: use half a scoop less, or add a splash of hot water to your cup.
- Bitter or sour: that’s usually the grind or brew time, not the amount. Our guide to why coffee tastes bitter or sour explains the fixes.
Change one thing at a time, and write down what you used when you get a pot you love.
Where these numbers come from
These are starting points, not lab results. They follow the ratios in our coffee ratio chart and brewing guides, and the common guideline of 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 oz of water. Cup sizes come from coffee maker makers’ specs, many of which count a cup as 5 oz. Scoop and tablespoon weights vary with the grind and roast, so weigh your coffee if you need to be precise.
How much coffee per cup FAQ
How many scoops of coffee per cup?
1 level scoop, about 2 tablespoons or 10 g, for every 6 oz cup of water. Use a little more for a stronger cup.
How many scoops of coffee for 12 cups?
About 10½ level scoops, or 21 tablespoons (about 105 g), for a 12-cup coffee maker that holds 60 oz of water. Start at 10 and adjust to taste.
How many tablespoons of coffee per cup?
2 level tablespoons per 6 oz cup, or 3 for an 8 oz cup.
How many tablespoons are in a coffee scoop?
A standard coffee scoop holds about 2 tablespoons, but some scoops hold only 1. Check yours by filling it with water and pouring it into a tablespoon measure.
How many grams of coffee per cup?
About 10 g for a 6 oz cup and 15 g for an 8 oz cup. That’s roughly 1 g of coffee for every 16 to 17 g of water.
Is a coffee maker cup the same as a regular cup?
No. Most coffee makers count a cup as 5 oz of water, while a kitchen measuring cup is 8 oz and most mugs hold 10 to 16 oz. A 12-cup pot fills about four or five mugs.
How much coffee for a French press?
About 30 g, or 6 tablespoons, for 450 g (about 15 oz) of water, a 1:15 ratio. Use a coarse grind and steep for 4 minutes.
Brew a pot with Regions coffee
For an everyday pot, Daybreak Blend is our light-medium breakfast blend of Guatemalan and Ethiopian coffee, with caramel, dried fruit and citrus, made for drip machines. Hills Over Huila, a medium roast from Colombia, brings crisp apple, milk chocolate and a sweet finish. Our coffees are listed as coming soon, so tap Notify me on any coffee to hear when it’s ready.
