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 6 cups on the carafe is about 30–36 oz of water, which fills about 3.8–4.5 standard 8-oz mugs.
| Strength | Ratio | Coffee (6 × 5 oz) | Coffee (6 × 6 oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stronger | 1:15 | 59 g · 12 tbsp | 71 g · 14 tbsp |
| Standard | 1:16 | 55 g · 11 tbsp | 67 g · 13 tbsp |
| Milder | 1:18 | 49 g · 10 tbsp | 59 g · 12 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 6 cups?
About 5.5 to 6.7 standard 2-tablespoon scoops.
How many tablespoons of coffee for 6 cups?
About 11 to 13 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.