Wait, how big is a "cup"?
On most US coffee makers, one "cup" line is only 5 oz of water (some brands use 6 oz), not a full 8-oz cup. So 3 cups on the carafe is about 15–18 oz of water, which fills about 1.9–2.2 standard 8-oz mugs.
| Strength | Ratio | Coffee (3 × 5 oz) | Coffee (3 × 6 oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stronger | 1:15 | 30 g · 6 tbsp | 35 g · 7 tbsp |
| Standard | 1:16 | 28 g · 6 tbsp | 33 g · 7 tbsp |
| Milder | 1:18 | 25 g · 5 tbsp | 30 g · 6 tbsp |
One standard coffee scoop holds about 2 level tablespoons (roughly 10 g). Weighing is more accurate, because grind size and roast change how much coffee fits in a spoon.
Brewing with a different method? See the drip ratio for 12 oz or the ratio calculator.
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Questions people ask
How many scoops of coffee for 3 cups?
About 2.8 to 3.3 standard 2-tablespoon scoops.
How many tablespoons of coffee for 3 cups?
About 6 to 7 level tablespoons at a 1:16 ratio.
Numbers on this page are estimates calculated from the assumptions shown. Coffees, beans and drinks vary; caffeine figures are typical values, not medical advice.