Xiamen · OEM / ODMHow big is a coffee scoop?
A standard coffee scoop holds 2 US tablespoons (29.6 ml, or 1 fl oz). Filled level with medium-ground coffee, it holds 9–11 g. The exact weight depends on grind size, roast and how firmly the scoop is filled. This guide uses 10 g per scoop.
Some coffee bags come with a 1-tablespoon (15 ml) scoop instead. If yours is that size, double the scoop counts below. See our coffee scoop size guide for other sizes.
Coffee scoops per cup: chart for drip coffee makers
Most US drip coffee makers mark a "cup" as 5 fl oz (148 ml), not a full 8 oz measuring cup. The chart uses the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) ratio of 55 g of coffee per liter of water.
| Cups on your coffee maker | Water | Ground coffee | Standard scoops (2 tbsp) | Strong (1 scoop per cup) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 cups | 20 fl oz / 591 ml | 33 g | 3½ | 4 |
| 6 cups | 30 fl oz / 887 ml | 49 g | 5 | 6 |
| 8 cups | 40 fl oz / 1,183 ml | 65 g | 6½ | 8 |
| 10 cups | 50 fl oz / 1,479 ml | 81 g | 8 | 10 |
| 12 cups (a full pot) | 60 fl oz / 1,774 ml | 98 g | 10 | 12 |
How many scoops per cup of water?
One 8 fl oz measuring cup of water (237 ml) takes 13 g of coffee, or 1⅓ standard scoops. In practice: 1 heaped scoop, or 1 level scoop plus 2 teaspoons.
How many scoops of coffee in a French press?
French press brewing uses the same ratio, often a little stronger.
| French press size | Water | Ground coffee | Standard scoops |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-cup (12 fl oz) | 350 ml | 19–21 g | 2 |
| 4-cup (17 fl oz) | 500 ml | 28–30 g | 3 |
| 8-cup (34 fl oz) | 1,000 ml | 55–60 g | 5½–6 |
Use a coarse grind for French press. Grind changes how much coffee fits in a scoop, so weigh one scoop of your coffee once (see below).
Weigh once, then scoop
Scoops are fast; a scale is exact. To match your scoop to your coffee:
- Fill your scoop level with your usual coffee.
- Weigh it. Note the grams.
- Divide the grams you want (from the chart) by that number.
You only need to do this once per coffee.
FAQ
How many tablespoons is a scoop of coffee?
A standard coffee scoop is 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml).
How many scoops of coffee for 12 cups?
10 standard scoops for a regular pot (98 g of coffee), or 12 scoops for a strong pot.
How many scoops of coffee for 8 cups?
6½ standard scoops (65 g), or 8 scoops for strong coffee.
How many grams of coffee are in a scoop?
9–11 g of medium-ground coffee in a level 2-tablespoon scoop.
Is a coffee maker cup the same as a measuring cup?
No. Most drip coffee makers count a cup as 5 fl oz (148 ml); a US measuring cup is 8 fl oz (237 ml).
For coffee brands: put the right scoop in the bag
If you sell coffee, the scoop in your bag decides how your customer's first cup tastes. Becutlery makes stainless steel coffee scoops in the two sizes this guide uses:
- 2-tablespoon (30 ml) scoops: long-handle BS2521 (164 mm), compact BS2520 (81 mm) and deep-bowl BS2523 — see the scoop model catalog.
- 1-tablespoon (15 ml) scoop with bag clip: BS2540, 174 mm, which also reseals the bag.
Your logo is laser-marked on the handle. Minimum order is 100 pieces; a stock model with your logo ships as a sample within 3 days. Request a quote or read about custom coffee scoops.
Sources
- Specialty Coffee Association, Golden Cup Standard (55 g of coffee per liter of water).
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C (US customary units: 1 tablespoon = ½ fl oz = 14.79 ml).
