Are All K-Cups the Same Size (Keurig cup sizes guide + more information)?
Understanding the sizes and dimensions of the Keurig K-Cup is crucial when purchasing the machine and when brewing your coffee. So, Are All K-Cups the Same Size? Read on to find out.
My brother-in-law visited me during the Christmas holidays from the village of Supai, in the Havasupai Indian Reservation. Since he was staying for the entire Christmas month, I showed him how to use different kitchen appliances, including the Keurig machine. He decided to surprise me with K-cups after my supplies went out. He brought the wrong size and almost ruined my machine. One of the problems people face, especially after purchasing a Keurig, is understanding the differences in K-cup sizes. I decided to write this article to help you learn the different K-cup sizes.
Table of Contents
What are the dimensions of a k-cup?
There are several K-cup dimensions, which differ according to their sizes and the quantity they can hold. The standard dimensions of a K-cup are approximately 2.0 inches in height and 2.0 inches in diameter. Its volume is around 8-12 fluid ounces, depending on the quantity of coffee grounds contained within.
It is crucial to mention that several Keurig pods have been in production, and some have been discontinued. They include
Standard K-Cup
The standard k-cup produces 6 to 10 ounces of coffee. The name standard is to show that it is the regular k-cup you get if you do not make any specification when ordering to refer to k-pods. It measures approximately 2 inches in diameter and 2.75 inches in height. The standard K-cups are plastic, filled with coffee, and can fit in any Keurig coffee maker. The k-cups are the same size, even though different companies make them. Examples of brands that make the k-cups include Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, and Green Mountain.
K-Mug pods
The k-mug pod was designed to produce larger quantities of coffee, including 12 to 16 ounces. They measure approximately 3.7 inches in diameter and 2.9 inches in height. However, they were discontinued because they were incompatible with k-cups or third-party pods.
K-Carafe
These pods were designed for an even larger volume of coffee. They measured approximately 4 inches in diameter and 3.9 inches in height and could brew up to 30 ounces of coffee, making them ideal for a family or a small office. They were also discontinued because they were incompatible with k-cups or third-party pods.
K-Select
The pods were designed to brew strong coffee and are compatible with Keurig’s K-Select coffee maker. They measure approximately 2.8 inches in diameter and 2.3 inches in height and produce 12 ounces of strong coffee.
K-Compact
The pods were designed with Keurig’s K-Compact coffee maker, a smaller and more affordable model. They measure approximately 2.5 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches in height and produce a single serving of 6 to 10 ounces of coffee.
Cup Sizes of Different Keurig Coffee Makers
Keurig Coffee Makers have different cup sizes and produce different coffee quantities. It is crucial to understand the sizes to choose the one that fits your needs.
The table below shows the various models of Keurig coffee makers and the cup sizes available.
Keurig Model |
Cup Sizes Available |
K-Compact |
6, 8, and 10 oz |
K-Select |
6, 8, 10, and 12 oz |
K-Classic |
6, 8, and 10 oz |
K-Elite |
4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 oz |
K-Mini |
6 and 12 oz |
K-Mini Plus |
6, 8, 10, and 12 oz |
K-Mini Basic |
6 and 12 oz |
K-Cafe |
6, 8, 10, and 12 oz, 2-6 oz shots |
K-Cafe Special Edition |
6, 8, 10, and 12 oz, 2-6 oz shots |
K-Latte |
6, 8, and 10 oz |
K-Duo Essentials |
6, 8, 10, and 12 oz for single serve; 6, 8, 10, and 12 cups for carafe |
K-Express Essentials |
6, 8, 10, and 12 oz |
K-Express |
4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 oz |
Do all k-cup sizes fit all Keurig machines?
No, not all cup sizes fit all Keurig machines. Due to different customer preferences and demands, Keurig machines are designed to hold different cup sizes. Some have smaller cup sizes, while others hold bigger cup sizes. Most Keurig machines are designed to work with cup sizes that fit 8 to 12 grams of coffee. However, several were designed to work with bigger cup sizes. For instance, the K-Mug or K-Carafe sizes were intended to brew larger quantities of coffee and hold larger coffee cup sizes. Due to such differences, it is crucial to confirm the specifications of your coffee machine to ensure that you purchase the suitable cup sizes.
Does k-cup size affect the coffee strength?
Yes, the size of the K-cup can affect the strength of the coffee. The reason is that different k-cup size contains different quantities of ground coffee. Larger k-cup sizes have more ground coffee than smaller k-cup sizes. The amount of ground coffee in the k-cup can determine the strength of the coffee if the same amount of water is used for different k-cup sizes. However, other factors such as the type of coffee beans and roast level determine the strength of coffee, and a large-sized k-cup may produce less strong coffee if it has coffee grounds from poor quality coffee beans with a low roast level.
FAQ Section
How do I know what cup size my Keurig is?
You can check the user manual that came with it or look for the information on the machine itself. Look at the buttons on the control panel to see if they are labeled with the amount of water they dispense, such as “6 oz,” “8 oz,” “10 oz,” and “12 oz.” Look at the water reservoir since it may have markings indicating the maximum fill level for each cup size. You can also try placing a measuring cup under the dispenser and selecting each cup size to see how much water is dispensed.
What are the three sizes of Keurig cups?
The three standard sizes of Keurig cups are small- 6oz, medium-8oz, and large-10oz. The different cup sizes produce different strengths, with the smallest making the strongest coffee and the largest producing less strong coffee.
Can you change the Keurig cup size?
Yes, most Keurig machines allow you to change the cup size to adjust the amount of dispensed water.