Perfectly Brewed: How Many Scoops of Coffee Do You Need?

Perfectly Brewed: How Many Scoops of Coffee Do You Need?

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We’ve all been there—staring at an empty coffee pot, wondering exactly how much coffee to scoop for the perfect brew. Should you go by the lines on the carafe? How many scoops do you need for a full pot? And what about that 16oz travel mug—how many “cups” does it really hold?

Today, we’re breaking it all down with two simple approaches: the quick way using a coffee scoop or tablespoon, and the precise way using a kitchen scale (which is how you elevate your coffee game).

Method 1: How Many Scoops of Coffee Per Cup?

For this method, you’ll need ground coffee, a coffee scoop (or a tablespoon/teaspoon), and a measuring cup for water (or your coffee maker’s carafe). A general rule of thumb is one scoop of coffee per cup marked on your coffee maker’s carafe.

Quick Guide:

  • Brewing a full 10-cup coffee maker? Use 10 scoops.
  • Brewing just 5 cups? Use 5 scoops.

But how much coffee is in a scoop? Let’s clarify:

How Much Coffee Is in a Scoop?

A coffee scoop typically holds 2 tablespoons of ground coffee when leveled (not heaped). So, the common recommendation is 1 scoop (2 tablespoons) per 6-ounce cup of coffee. But here’s where things get tricky—

What Does “Cup” Really Mean?

  • A US standard cup is 8 ounces, but a standard coffee cup size is 6 ounces.
  • Coffee maker manufacturers, including Mr. Coffee, usually mark 5-ounce servings per cup on their carafes.
  • This means a 12-cup coffee maker actually brews only 60 ounces of coffee—not 96 ounces as you might expect.
  • If you drink from a 10-12 ounce mug, your “cup” of coffee isn’t a single cup—it’s closer to two of the coffee maker’s measurements.

Method 2: The Precise Way—Using a Kitchen Scale

For the most consistent and best-tasting coffee, measuring your coffee by weight is the way to go. Coffee is typically brewed at a 1:15 to 1:17 coffee-to-water ratio by weight.

  • 1 gram of coffee per 15-17 grams of water (or ml)
  • Example: If brewing 500ml (16.9 oz) of coffee, you’ll need 30-33g of coffee
  • A coffee scoop holds about 10g of coffee, depending on grind size, so 3 scoops would be needed for 500ml

Takeaway: Scoops vs. Weight

  • If you want a quick method, use 1 scoop per cup marking on your coffee maker.
  • If you want precision, use a kitchen scale and aim for 1:15-1:17 coffee-to-water ratio.
  • Be aware that coffee makers use 5-6oz cup sizes, not the standard 8oz US measurement.

By understanding how much coffee to use, you’ll get consistently great-tasting coffee, no matter the brewing method. Happy brewing!