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 4 cups on the carafe is about 20–24 oz of water, which fills about 2.5–3.0 standard 8-oz mugs.
| Strength | Ratio | Coffee (4 × 5 oz) | Coffee (4 × 6 oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stronger | 1:15 | 39 g · 8 tbsp | 47 g · 9 tbsp |
| Standard | 1:16 | 37 g · 7 tbsp | 44 g · 9 tbsp |
| Milder | 1:18 | 33 g · 7 tbsp | 39 g · 8 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 4 cups?
About 3.7 to 4.4 standard 2-tablespoon scoops.
How many tablespoons of coffee for 4 cups?
About 7 to 9 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.