If you’re making coffee for a group, knowing how much coffee for 10 cups is the first step to a great pot. Getting the ratio right means everyone gets a tasty, balanced brew instead of something weak or bitter.
It sounds simple, but “cups” can be misleading. A standard coffee maker cup is actually only 6 ounces, not the 8 ounces in a measuring cup. So, 10 cups in your brewer is 60 ounces of water. That’s a lot of coffee! We’ll clear up all the confusion and give you the simple formulas you need.
How Much Coffee For 10 Cups
Let’s get straight to the answer. For a standard 10-cup (60 oz) coffee maker, you’ll need between 75 and 100 grams of ground coffee. That’s roughly 15 to 20 tablespoons. This range follows the “Golden Ratio” recommended by coffee experts.
Why the range? It depends on how strong you like your coffee. Here’s the simple breakdown:
- For Balanced Coffee: Use 80 grams (about 16 tablespoons). This is a great starting point.
- For Stronger Coffee: Use 100 grams (about 20 tablespoons).
- For Milder Coffee: Use 75 grams (about 15 tablespoons).
Always use fresh, cold water. The quality of your water makes a huge difference in the final taste.
Understanding Coffee-to-Water Ratios
The secret to perfect coffee isn’t a secret at all. It’s a ratio. This is the most reliable way to measure, because it works no matter how much your making.
The Specialty Coffee Association suggests a ratio of 1:18. That means 1 gram of coffee for every 18 grams of water. For 10 cups (60 ounces of water, which is about 1774 grams), the math is simple: 1774 ÷ 18 = 98.5 grams of coffee.
Most people find a ratio between 1:15 (strong) and 1:18 (lighter) works best. Here’s a quick chart for a 60-ounce (10-cup) pot:
- Strong (1:15): 118 grams of coffee
- Medium (1:17): 104 grams of coffee
- Light (1:18): 98 grams of coffee
Why Tablespoons Can Be Tricky
We often use tablespoons because it’s easy. But a tablespoon of a dark roast whole bean coffee weighs less than a tablespoon of a light roast fine ground. It’s less dense.
For consistency, weight (grams) is king. If you’re using tablespoons, assume a level tablespoon of most pre-ground coffee weighs about 5 grams. So, for 80 grams, you’d need 16 tablespoons.
Step-by-Step: Measuring for Your 10-Cup Brew
Let’s walk through the process. Follow these steps for a foolproof pot every single time.
- Check Your Machine: First, confirm your coffee maker’s “cup” size. It’s almost always 6 ounces. Fill the carafe with 60 ounces of water to see the 10-cup line.
- Choose Your Ratio: Decide on your strength. Start with a 1:17 ratio if your unsure.
- Measure the Water: Pour 60 ounces of fresh, cold water into the reservoir.
- Measure the Coffee: Weigh out your coffee grounds. For 1:17, that’s ~104 grams. If using tablespoons, aim for a heaping 20 tablespoons to get close.
- Prepare the Filter: Place a paper filter in the basket. Rinse it with hot water to remove any paper taste (optional but good).
- Add Grounds & Brew: Add the coffee to the filter, place the carafe, and start the brew cycle.
- Serve Immediately: For the best flavor, pour the coffee right after brewing and enjoy it while it’s hot.
Adjusting for Different Brew Methods
Not everyone uses a standard drip machine. The amount of coffee you need changes with the brew method because the contact time between water and grounds is different.
For a French Press (Making 60 oz)
French press coffee uses a coarser grind and a higher ratio. It needs more coffee because the immersion method extracts differently. For 60 ounces, you’ll want a ratio of about 1:15.
- Water: 60 oz (1774 ml)
- Coffee: 118 grams (coarse grind)
- Approx. Tablespoons: 23-24 tbsp
For Pour-Over (Like a Chemex for 10)
Making 10 cups with a pour-over is usually done in batches. For a Chemex that holds that much, you’d use a medium-coarse grind and a ratio around 1:16.
- Water: 60 oz (1774 ml)
- Coffee: 111 grams (medium-coarse grind)
- Approx. Tablespoons: 22 tbsp
For a Percolator
Percolators cycle boiling water through the grounds multiple times, which can lead to over-extraction. Use a slightly coarser grind and a bit less coffee than a drip machine to avoid bitterness.
- Water: 60 oz
- Coffee: 90 grams (coarse grind)
- Approx. Tablespoons: 18 tbsp
Factors That Change the Equation
Even with perfect measurements, other things affect your final cup. Paying attention to these will make your coffee even better.
Type of Coffee Roast
Dark roasts are less dense than light roasts. A tablespoon of dark roast may weigh less, but it also tastes stronger. You might use slightly less dark roast by volume if you find it becomes to bitter.
Grind Size
Grind size is critical. Too fine, and your coffee will be over-extracted and bitter. Too coarse, and it will be weak and under-extracted.
- Drip Machine: Medium grind (like table salt)
- French Press: Coarse grind (like breadcrumbs)
- Pour-Over: Medium-coarse grind
Always grind your beans just before brewing for the freshest taste. Pre-ground coffee loses flavor quickly.
Your Personal Taste
The “perfect” amount is what tastes perfect to you. Use the standard ratios as a starting point. Next time, if the coffee was too weak, add 2-3 more grams per 10 cups. If it was too strong or bitter, use 2-3 grams less.
Keep a little note of your adjustments until you find your sweet spot. Everyone’s palate is different.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Even experienced coffee makers can make errors. Here are the most common pitfalls when making a large pot.
Mistake 1: Using the Wrong “Cup” Measurement
This is the biggest mistake. Using 8-ounce cups for your calculation will result in very weak coffee. You’d only use coffee for 48 ounces of water, but actually have 60 ounces in the pot. Always remember the 6-ounce standard.
Mistake 2: Guessing the Amount
Scooping coffee straight from the bag without measuring leads to inconsistent results. One day it’s good, the next it’s not. Use a scale or a dedicated measuring spoon.
Mistake 3: Using Stale Coffee or Water
Old coffee beans or grounds won’t produce good flavor, no matter the ratio. And if your water tastes bad or has strong odors, your coffee will too. Use fresh beans and good water.
Mistake 4: Not Cleaning the Machine
Old coffee oils and mineral buildup in your machine will make every pot taste off. Run a cleaning cycle with vinegar or a commercial cleaner regularly. Your coffee will thank you.
Tips for Serving a Crowd
Making coffee for 10 people means you want it to stay hot and tasty. Here’s how to manage it.
- Pre-Warm the Carafe: Before brewing, rinse the glass carafe with hot water. This helps keep the coffee hotter longer.
- Use an Airpot: If you have a thermal carafe machine or a separate airpot, transfer the coffee immediately after brewing. It will stay hot for hours without burning.
- Have Add-Ins Ready: Set out cream, milk, sugar, and spoons on a separate tray so people can serve themselves easily.
- Consider Batch Brewing: If your machine is smaller, you might need to make two batches. Have a second thermal pot ready to hold the first batch while the second brews.
FAQ Section
How many scoops of coffee for 10 cups?
A standard coffee scoop holds about 2 tablespoons, or 10 grams. For 10 cups, you’d need between 7.5 and 10 scoops (for 75-100 grams). It’s better to use a scale, as scoop sizes can vary.
How much ground coffee for 10 cups?
You need 75 to 100 grams of ground coffee for a standard 10-cup (60 oz) drip coffee maker. This equals about 15 to 20 level tablespoons.
How many ounces of coffee for 10 cups?
This question is tricky. You need about 2.6 to 3.5 ounces by weight of coffee grounds. Remember, the 10 cups refers to 60 fluid ounces of water going into the machine.
Can I use less coffee if it’s a dark roast?
You can experiment with using slightly less dark roast by volume (maybe 1-2 tablespoons less for 10 cups), because the flavor is more intense. But by weight, the ratio often stays similar. Start with your usual ratio and adjust from there based on taste.
What if my coffee maker has a 12-cup carafe but I only want 10 cups?
Just fill the water reservoir to the 10-cup line. Then, use coffee measured for 10 cups (60 oz), not 12. The machine doesn’t care how big the carafe is, only how much water goes through the grounds.
Why does my 10-cup pot of coffee taste bitter?
Bitterness usually means over-extraction. This can be caused by using too fine a grind, too much coffee, or a machine that brews with water that’s too hot. Try a slightly coarser grind or reducing your coffee by 5 grams next time.
Final Thoughts on Perfect Proportions
Mastering how much coffee for 10 cups is a simple skill that pays off every time you have guests. The key takeaways are to remember the 6-ounce cup, use a ratio (start with 1:17), and measure by weight if you can.
Don’t be afraid to tweak things based on your beans, your machine, and your personal preference. The best cup of coffee is the one you enjoy the most. With these guidelines, you can make a great pot of coffee for a crowd with confidence, knowing it will be appreciated by everyone who gets a cup.