In short
- Most cafés cover their menu with 8 oz, 12 oz and 16 oz cups and add 4 oz for espresso and tasters.
- Match the cup to the drink: too much empty space cools the drink and looks mean.
- Check lid and cup fit, and choose single, double or ripple wall before you order.
Standard paper cup sizes
Takeaway cups are sold by fluid ounces (oz). The volume given for a cup is its brim-full capacity, so the drink itself is a little smaller to leave room for the lid and milk foam.
| Size | Approx. volume | Typical drinks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 oz | 120 ml | Espresso, macchiato, tasters | Small; often used for samples |
| 8 oz | 240 ml | Flat white, cappuccino, tea | Regular size for milk-based coffee |
| 12 oz | 360 ml | Latte, Americano, hot chocolate | Common medium size |
| 16 oz | 480 ml | Large latte, iced drinks, chai | Large; leave room for ice |
Single, double and ripple wall cups
Single wall cups are the most economical and suit cooler drinks or customers who use a sleeve. Double wall cups have a second layer that insulates, so the cup is comfortable to hold without a sleeve and keeps the drink hot for longer. Ripple wall cups have a corrugated outer layer that insulates and gives a textured grip.
- Single wall: lowest cost, add sleeves for hot drinks
- Double wall: more insulation, no sleeve needed, sturdier feel
- Ripple wall: good grip and insulation, premium look
Choosing lids
Lid diameters differ between cup ranges, so a lid that fits one 12 oz cup may not fit another. Order lids and cups together and test the fit with your own stock. Choose sip lids for hot drinks to go, and flat or domed lids for cold drinks and desserts, depending on toppings.
- Test lid fit before buying in volume
- Use sip-through lids for hot takeaway drinks
- Pick domed lids for whipped cream or iced drinks
How to build your cup range
A simple range covers most menus: 4 oz for espresso, 8 oz for small milk coffees, 12 oz for medium and 16 oz for large. Smaller cafés often start with three sizes to keep stock and storage simple. Cups nest, so they take little room, but lids take more.
- Count how many sizes you really need
- Plan storage: cups nest, lids need space
- Order printed cups for your best-selling size first
Printing your logo on cups
If you want your logo on the cups, see our guide to printed coffee cup minimum orders and lead times, and our artwork checklist.
