A 250g bag of ground coffee will usually make roughly 20 to 30 cups of filter coffee, but that answer only works when a cup size and dose are specified. A single espresso uses much less ground coffee than a large mug, while a 500ml French press can use 30g in one batch.
The dependable calculation is simple: divide 250g by the dose used for each drink. Weighing your normal dose once gives a much more useful answer than relying on an undefined “cup”.
Quick answer #
| Coffee per drink | Approximate drinks from 250g | Common example |
|---|---|---|
| 7g | 35 | small single espresso |
| 8g | 31 | single espresso or light small cup |
| 10g | 25 | 150–180ml filter coffee |
| 12g | 20 | stronger filter cup |
| 15g | 16 | large mug or 230–250ml manual brew |
| 18g | 13 | double espresso |
For everyday planning, 250g therefore gives approximately:
- 25 to 30 small 150ml filter cups;
- 16 to 22 mugs of 200–250ml;
- 13 to 15 double espressos;
- 4.1 litres of filter or French press coffee at 60g per litre.
These are starting points rather than compulsory recipes. Coffee, roast, grind and the strength you enjoy may justify a different dose.
Why “a cup” is ambiguous #
A cup might mean 80ml, 150ml or a 250ml mug. On a moka pot, the stated number of cups refers to small moka servings, not full breakfast mugs. A three-cup model does not produce three large coffees. The guide to using a moka pot explains its basket and serving sizes.
Many home filter and immersion recipes sit around 55–70g of coffee per litre. If you do not yet have a recipe, 60g per litre is an easy starting point to adjust after tasting; it is not a universal standard. The Specialty Coffee Association’s home-brewer certification assesses a machine’s brewing quality, consistency and performance. It does not prescribe the right dose for every coffee.
For method-specific starting ratios, see how to measure coffee.
Estimates by brewing method #
| Method | Realistic starting dose | What 250g makes |
|---|---|---|
| Electric filter machine | 10–12g for 150–180ml | 20–25 cups |
| V60, Chemex or another pour-over | 15–17g for 250ml | 14–16 large cups |
| French press | 30g for 500ml | 8 batches, or about 16 mugs |
| Three-cup moka pot | 15–18g per pot | 13–16 batches |
| Single espresso | 7–9g | 27–35 espressos |
| Double espresso | 16–18g | 13–15 doubles |
| Cold-brew concentrate | 80–100g per litre of water | 2.5–3 litres before dilution |
Espresso is particularly equipment-dependent. Baskets are designed around different doses, so stay within the machine or basket maker’s guidance instead of forcing a number from this table.
Calculate your own yield #
Use this formula for drinks made one portion at a time:
250 / dose in grams = number of brews
For example:
- 250 / 10g = 25 cups;
- 250 / 12g = 20 cups;
- 250 / 16g = about 15 double espressos;
- 250 / 60g = about 4.1 litres when the dose is stated per litre.
At two filter cups per day using 10g each, the bag lasts about 12.5 days. One 15g mug each morning gives about 16 days. A 500ml French press made with 30g every other day also lasts roughly 16 days.
Scales or a coffee scoop? #
A scoop is convenient but not very precise. Different grind sizes and roasts do not pack at the same density, and a heaped scoop can add several grams. That small difference changes the total significantly: a 10g dose makes 25 cups, a 13g dose makes 19, and a 15g dose makes 16.
A basic kitchen scale is enough to make the recipe repeatable. If the coffee tastes weak, do not change every setting at once. Check dose and grind separately. If it tastes bitter, flow, contact time, temperature and cleanliness also deserve attention. The guide to coffee grind size by brewing method provides a useful diagnostic sequence.
Ground coffee and freshness #
Mathematically, 250g can last several weeks. In flavour terms, ground coffee is more vulnerable because much more surface is exposed to oxygen than with whole beans. Keep the bag or container tightly closed and away from heat, light and moisture. A container opened every day in a refrigerator can also pick up moisture and odours.
Buy a pack size that matches your consumption, and mark the opening date if several coffees are in use. The full guide to storing coffee distinguishes everyday storage from longer-term freezing and explains why whole beans generally retain their qualities longer after opening.
Cup count is not caffeine count #
The European Food Safety Authority gives approximate examples of 90mg of caffeine in a 200ml filter coffee and 80mg in a 60ml espresso. Actual amounts vary widely with the coffee and preparation. EFSA says that intakes up to 400mg spread through a day generally do not raise safety concerns for healthy adults; its reference during pregnancy and breastfeeding is 200mg per day.
These are safety limits, not targets. Some people experience sleep disruption, anxiety or palpitations at lower amounts. When planning a bag, consider serving size, recipe and your own response instead of assuming that every “cup” delivers the same caffeine. How much coffee per day explains those qualifications in more detail.
Sources #
- Specialty Coffee Association, Certified Home Brewers
- EFSA, caffeine
- AeroPress, immersion, grind, time and filtration
Verdict #
At 10g per cup, 250g makes 25 cups. At 12g it makes 20, at 15g about 16, and at 16–18g per double espresso roughly 13–15 drinks. Weigh your usual dose, divide 250 by that figure, and you will have an answer based on the coffee you actually brew.