Keurig coffee makers are known for their ease of use, but one area that can be confusing is the cup sizes of each model. It’s not a small issue, either. After all, who wouldn’t want perfectly sized cups of coffee to get their day off to the best start?
This guide offers a comprehensive chart of Keurig cup sizes so you can see the range of sizes for each Keurig brewer at a glance.
We’ll also examine which brew size to choose for the best flavor and explore how cup size impacts the strength of your coffee.
What Are The Keurig Cup Sizes?
Keurig brewers are single-serve coffee makers. In other words, they brew single cup per batch. Because of this, Keurig cup sizes use ounces for measurement. You will have either three or five cup sizes options depending on the model.
- 4 ounces
- 6 ounces
- 8 ounces
- 10 ounces
- 12 ounces
As you can see, the Keurig cup sizes start at 4oz, increasing in increments of two ounces to the largest size of 12oz. The 4oz and 12oz sizes are only available in some models. However, every Keurig machine has 8oz, and 10oz cup sizes.
Besides single-serve coffee machines, Keurig also offers the K-Duo and K-Duo Plus dual coffee makers. These machines brew individual cups of coffee using K-Cup capsules and brew drip coffee using coffee grounds. When brewing drip coffee, you can choose 6, 8, 10, or 12 cups of coffee.
Keurig Cup Size Buttons
Most Keurig machines have a button for choosing the brew sizes on the top or front of the machine. Meanwhile, the numbers or icons are usually on the buttons, making selecting the correct size straightforward. For example, Keurig’s latest model, the K-Supreme Plus, has five clearly numbered buttons on top of the machine, while the K-Elite’s buttons have cup icons to indicate the size.
There are some exceptions to the cup size buttons. For example, the K-Mini and K-Mini Plus determine the size by the amount of water you pour into the reservoir, between 6oz and 12oz. These machines will use whatever water is in the reservoir per brew cycle.
Cup Sizes Of All Keurig Coffee Makers
If you’re looking for a Keurig coffee maker and are unsure which model offers the cup sizes you require, we have compiled the following chart offering all the information you need.
| Keurig Models | Water Reservoir Capacity | 4 oz | 6 oz | 8 oz | 10 oz | 12 oz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keurig K-Mini * | 12 oz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Keurig K-Mini Plus * | 12 oz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Keurig K-Slim | 46 oz | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Keurig K-Express | 42 oz | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Keurig K-Express Essentials | 36 oz | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Keurig K-Elite | 75 oz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Keurig K-Select | 52 oz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Keurig K-Classic | 48 oz | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Keurig K-Supreme | 66 oz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Keurig K-Supreme Plus | 78 oz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart | 78 oz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Keurig K-Café * | 60 oz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Keurig K-Duo * | 60 oz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Keurig K-Duo Plus * | 60 oz | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
*The K-Mini and K-Mini Plus require filling water each time to the desired amount between 6-12 oz
*The K-Duo and K-Duo Plus models also brew 6, 8, 10, and 12 cups of drip coffee. Meanwhile, the K-Cafe brews 2oz of strong coffee for cappuccino and latte.
Keurig Cup Sizes And Coffee Strength
All Keurig coffee machines work identically. First, they pump water from the water reservoir, then heat it to the appropriate brewing temperature. Finally, a needle punctures the K-Cup lid, allowing water to saturate the grounds and brew the coffee. Newer Keurig models use multistream technology. This means they have five needles instead of one for more even extraction and a better cup of coffee.
So, how do we alter the brew temperature and coffee strength when the K-Cup has fixed amounts of coffee and grind sizes? By either using less water or increasing the extraction time.
Some Keurig models have a “Strong” button that extracts the coffee for longer to produce a more robust flavor. However, this is the only way to alter the coffee strength using a Keurig machine, so if it doesn’t have that feature, we have to consider the alternative – the amount of water we use.
The amount of water used has a pivotal role in the overall beverage flavor. The more water you use, the fuller the cup will be, but the weaker the coffee. Of course, using less water leads to a smaller drink but a stronger brew.
How Much Coffee Is In K-Cup Pods?
There are many different K-Cup flavors, but they have only one k-cup size that contains a similar amount of coffee. Depending on the brand, each K-Cup pod has between 10oz and 13oz of coffee, or around two tablespoons.
How Many Ounces Per K-Cup Coffee Is Best?
We recommend using eight ounces as a starting point, which offers quite a large cup of coffee. However, if the coffee is too weak, try a six-ounce cup size instead. On the other hand, if eight ounces is too strong, opt for 10oz.
If you make coffee using a 1:18 coffee to water ratio, as recommended by the SCAA, the dosage in most coffee pods will produce between a six and an eight-ounce cup of coffee. We researched the typical K-Cup grind size, and it’s finer than standard drip coffee grounds. This is a key reason why a Keurig machine can brew a flavorsome cup of coffee so rapidly.
However, if you want to brew a 12oz cup of coffee, the amount of grounds in your K-Cup will be too small unless you don’t mind very weak, watery coffee using a 1:30 ratio. This is because you’re effectively using the same K-Cup for two six-ounce cups of coffee, meaning the second cup will be weaker.
Most Keurigs have a removable drip tray that allows clearance for a 7” travel mug. Therefore, if you want a larger cup of coffee, using two K-Cups is your best option.
Despite these limitations, the 12oz option is more viable for drinks including hot cocoa and tea. Also, if you’re using a My K-Cup reusable coffee filter with your own ground coffee, the 12oz size might be ideal if you’re using a fine grind size or darker roast coffee beans.
Final Thoughts
Keurig brewers are renowned for their ease of use and the variety of K-Cups available for making delicious coffee.
However, an important element to consider when purchasing a Keurig brewer is the range of cup sizes. This is because depending on the coffee you prefer, the cup size you choose can significantly impact its strength and flavor.
We hope this guide has explained why cup size is so important when using a Keurig brewer and offered the best ways to ensure you use the correct cup size and get a perfect cup of coffee for your tastes.
Finally, we hope you will find the chart detailing which Keurig models have which cup sizes helps you reach an informed decision as to which Keurig coffee maker is best suited to your needs.
