Coffee mugs are an essential part of most people’s morning routines. While coffee mugs come in a variety of shapes and sizes, most mug makers have a standard weight they follow.
The average ceramic coffee mug will weigh between 250 and 400 grams (8.8 to 14.1 ounces) without a drop of coffee in it. Its sizes will vary based on how much coffee it can hold, typically ranging from 8 fl. oz. (240 ml) with 2.75 x 3.15 inches to 31 fl. oz. (920 ml) with 4.1 x 8.6 inches
However, the weight mentioned above is only the beginning. If you want to learn more about the weights of coffee mugs, keep reading. In this guide, I’ll cover some of the essentials of coffee mugs, as well as go into greater detail about how much they weigh.
Coffee Mug Weights
There are several factors that go into the actual weight of a coffee mug. The two most influential factors are the materials that go into making the coffee mug and how much coffee the mug can hold.
Mug Materials
Coffee mugs can be made of a variety of different materials. Below, I’ll quickly list the materials, as well as how their weights.
Type of Mug | Average Tare Weight |
Disposable Plastic | 9.0-18.1 g (0.32-0.64 oz.) |
Glass | 235.8-657.7 g (8.32-23.2 oz.) |
Porcelain | 250-400 g (8.8-14.1 oz.) |
Stainless Steel | 317.5-391 g (11.2-13.8 oz.) |
Stoneware | 494.4-684.9 g (17.4-24.2 oz.) |
As indicated from the table above, the average weight of a coffee mug will vary greatly, depending on what it’s made of.
The standard coffee mug is made of porcelain and has an average weight of between 250 and 400 grams (8.8 and 14.1 ounces), whereas a stoneware coffee mug is nearly double the weight at 494.4 to 684.9 grams (17.4 to 24.2 ounces).
Mug Capacity
The figures mentioned above are used for coffee mugs that hold between 240 and 355 milliliters (8 to 12 fluid ounces) of coffee. These are the standard capacities of a typical coffee mug.
However, if you shop at large coffee chains, such as Starbucks, the largest serving portion (the Trenta) holds up to 31 fluid ounces (920 milliliters).
So, if we follow Starbuck’s standards for portion sizes, the overall tare weight of a ceramic coffee mug (the most widely used type of mug) would be as follows:
Type of Mug | Capacity | Average Tare Weight |
Ceramic | 8 fl. oz. (240 ml) | 170-270 g (6.0-9.5 oz.) |
12 fl. oz. (355 ml) | 250-400 g (8.8-14.1 oz.) | |
16 fl. oz. (473 ml) | 330-530 g (11.6-18.7 oz.) | |
20 fl. oz. (591 ml) | 420-670 g (14.8-23.6 oz.) | |
24 fl. oz. (710 ml) | 500-800 g (17.6-28.2 oz.) | |
31 fl. oz. (920 ml) | 650-1000 g (22.9-35.3 oz.) |
Coffee Mug Dimensions
The capacity of a mug will affect its overall dimensions. For instance, an 8-fluid-ounce (240-milliliter) mug will be much shorter as opposed to a 31-fluid-ounce (920-milliliter) mug.
Allow me to break down the average dimensions of ceramic coffee mugs based on their capacities.
Type of Mug | Capacity | Dimensions (D × H) |
Ceramic | 8 fl. oz. (240 ml) | 7 × 8 cm (2.75 × 3.15 in.) |
12 fl. oz. (355 ml) | 8.3 × 9.5 cm (3.25 × 3.75 in.) | |
16 fl. oz. (473 ml) | 9 × 14.5 cm (3.54 × 5.7 in.) | |
20 fl. oz. (591 ml) | 9.1 × 15.5 cm (3.6 × 6.1 in.) | |
24 fl. oz. (710 ml) | 14 × 14.7 cm (5.5 × 5.8 in.) | |
31 fl. oz. (920 ml) | 10.4 × 21.8 cm (4.1 × 8.6 in.) |
Ideal Coffee Mug Size
So far, I have made it quite clear that the standard coffee mug is made of ceramic, has a capacity of between 240 and 355 milliliters (8 to 12 fluid ounces), and measures around 8.3 × 9.5 centimeters (3.25 × 3.75 inches).
But is that the ideal size?
Truthfully, the “ideal” coffee mug is the one that can hold as much or as little coffee as you want. Some can only take so much coffee before the caffeine gets to them, while others can’t get enough of the energy-boosting substance.
So, only you can determine what the ideal coffee mug size is.
However, I will add a few points to help you determine what size that is:
- If you have an espresso machine, the mug should be able to fit under the spout or nozzle. Some espresso machines, such as the Jura E8, have adjustable spouts that can accommodate mugs of up to 4.4 inches (11.2 centimeters) tall.
- Large-capacity coffee mugs will retain heat for longer, so you can take larger gulps of hot or warm coffee for longer.
- Large coffee mugs are heavier and much less convenient to transport. So, if you want your coffee on the go, you should consider getting a smaller mug or a travel mug that fits in your car’s cupholder.
- What type of coffee-based drink do you enjoy most frequently? Common portion sizes for drip coffee are 6 fluid ounces (177 milliliters), whereas espressos are a mere 2 fluid ounces (59 milliliters).
- You are more than free to pour smaller quantities of coffee in larger mugs. The more space you leave between the top of your coffee and the brim of the mug, the less likely you will spill your drink while walking or driving.
- If you want to purchase multiple coffee mugs for the office or your home, smaller mugs are cheaper.
Mug Sizes Based on Drink
The standard serving portion of a cappuccino is generally 6 fluid ounces (177 milliliters). Here’s a rundown of all of the portion sizes for most coffee-based beverages. You can use the following chart to determine what size mug to get.
Drink Type | Serving Size |
Espresso | 2 fl. oz. (59 ml) |
Ristretto | 2 fl. oz. (59 ml) |
Brewed Coffee | 8 fl. oz. (240 ml) |
Cappuccino | 6 fl. oz. (177 ml) |
Latte | 8 fl. oz. (240 ml) |
Flat White | 6 fl. oz. (177 ml) |
Iced Coffee | 20 fl. oz. (591 ml) |
It’s worth mentioning that the ideal mug is not the mug that fits the exact serving size of your favorite beverage. You need to choose a mug that’s slightly larger; otherwise, your mug will be filled to the brim with your drink. For instance, a 10-fluid-ounce (295-milliliter) mug would be ideal for a 6- or 8-fluid-ounce (177- or 240-milliliter) drink.
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