How Many Scoops Of Coffee Makes 12 Cups?

Skip to content

This site has limited support for your browser. We recommend switching to Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

Give the Gift of Choice - Shop Giftcards SMS subs hear it FIRST - click to subscribe 📲 Clarity, control, and zero clogging. Upgrade with Pure.F Nonwoven Filters! Free USPS Standard Shipping orders $75+ Close

• Shop See More
  • All Coffee See More
    • Blends
    • Seasonal Single Origin
    • Cup of Excellence Winners
    • Decaf
  • Shop by Expression See More
    • 🍫Chocolatey & Nutty
    • 🌸Floral & Delicate
    • 🍓Fruity & Bright
  • Limited Release Coffees See More
    • Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda Gesha Washed Montaña 6 FB [Score: 92.00]
    • Altieri Dilgo Mima Estate Gesha Natural 2025 [Score: 91.00]
  • Tea + Matcha
  • Gifts + Stocking Stuffers See More
    • Gift Card
    • Brew Gear
• Subscription See More
  • Shop All Subscriptions
• ☕ ORDER AHEAD
• About Us See More
  • 💜 Meet The Mother Daughter Team
  • Commitment to Gender Equity
  • Coffee Tasting With Q Graders
  • Cafes
• Blogs
• Wholesale
• Archive

• Log in
• Create account
• Search

Cart0 items

Spend $75 more for FREE shipping.FREE shipping will be applied at checkout

Sorry, looks like we don't have enough of this product.

Add order notes Special instructions for seller

Your cart is currently empty.

Items Free CheckoutFree

Shipping & taxes calculated at checkout

Shop All Shop Subscription ☕ ORDER AHEAD

Free shipping on orders over $75.

Determining the right number of scoops for coffee can feel like rocket science. Especially if you aren’t familiar with things like “the golden ratio” or the fact that a cup of coffee is not 8 fluid ounces like it is with other liquids… Let’s dive into what it takes to make a well-balanced cup of coffee, and how many scoops you need to make 12 cups of coffee  with your standard sized coffee maker.

The Golden Ratio

To make the perfect cup of coffee that isn't too strong or too weak, most coffee lovers follow a “golden ratio” of sorts. The golden ratio is simply the proportion of coffee and water needed to brew a balanced cup of coffee. A cup of coffee is accepted to be 6 fluid ounces. There is some confusion on this subject with various publications claiming 8 fluid ounces as the standard cup of coffee. But for clarity's sake, we’ll consider 6 fluid ounces as the standard.

The golden ratio is widely considered to be 16:1,Water:coffee. That means that for every 16 parts of water, you want 1 part of coffee. 1 fluid ounce of water equals 29.6 ml of water which is 29.6 grams, as the density of water is 1 gram/ml. Since a cup of coffee has 6 fluid ounces, you’d need 177 ml of water.  When you apply the golden ratio, you simply divide the weight of water by 16 and get the amount of coffee needed, which comes out to be 11 grams. (sounds pretty complicated, right? But don’t worry, it’s about to get a whole lot simpler!)

There are many different techniques for measuring the amount of coffee needed. The most precise method is weighing your coffee (11 grams per cup of water). As long as you’re not using an extremely coarse grind then the scoop method works just fine for the average coffee drinker. 

A typical scoop of coffee is about 10 grams, roughly two tablespoons, so a little more than a full scoop per cup of water should deliver a well balanced cup.

Scaling it Up to 12 Cups

For a standard 12-cup coffeemaker, you’ll need about 12-13 scoops of ground coffee or about 24-26 tablespoons. This will yield twelve 6 fluid ounce cups of coffee. Much simpler, right?! 

Other Factors to Think About When Brewing a Pot of Coffee

The quality of water is one thing many people underestimate when trying to make a good cup of coffee. Pure water produces the best results, as any minerals added in the water may affect its taste. The quality of tap water is different in different regions, so if you’re unsure about your tap water, or you find it too hard for your liking, you may want to filter the water first.

Your coffee brewing method is another factor that may affect the taste. Since taste is extremely subjective, your quantity may vary for different brewing methods. Automatic coffee makers are the most convenient way to get a cup of coffee at home. But if you’re constantly on the move and like your coffee a certain way, you may want to give the Aeropress a shot.

Finally, the beans that you choose are one of the most important factors for a great cup of coffee. Our well-rounded Downtown Blend is the coffee we recommend starting out with. But if you feel like experimenting a bit, we highly recommend trying out honey-processed coffees.

Sip and read more:

• The ultimate grind to coffee grind size
• What roast dates tell you about your coffee
• The best coffee for beginners

Share Link copied

How Long Does Cold Brew Last?

By Bean & BeanMay 16, 2022

The hottest trend in coffee happens to be the beloved cold brew. Cold brew is smooth, sweet, flavorful, and easily customized with other coffee-based drinks. There are so many reasons why people love this drink!...

What is Nitro Cold Brew Coffee?

By Bean & BeanMay 26, 2022

Nitro brew was made by a beer-loving homebrewer who decided to experiment with a new technique of making beer in the early 2010s.  Now it has become one of the world's biggest coffee trends and... Close Close {"themeColor":"#000000","iconColor":"#000000","showLogo":true,"topBottomPosition":10,"rightLeftPosition":10,"iconSize":"extra-small","iconCustomSize":64,"position":"bottom-left"}