Types of Coffee Cups: Sizes, Materials and How to Choose
The right coffee cup is the one whose size matches the drink and whose material matches how you drink it. An espresso belongs in a small, thick-walled cup of roughly 60 to 90 ml, a cappuccino in 150 to 200 ml, a latte in 250 to 350 ml, and iced coffee in a tall glass of 300 ml or more. Below is a plain guide to the main types of coffee cups, what each is for, and how to choose between glass and ceramic.
What Are the Main Types of Coffee Cups?
Cup names come from the drink they were shaped for. Capacities vary a little between makers, so treat these as working ranges rather than strict rules.
| Cup type | Typical capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso cup (demitasse) | 60–90 ml (about 2–3 oz) | Espresso, ristretto, lungo |
| Cortado or macchiato glass | 100–150 ml (about 3.5–5 oz) | Cortado, macchiato, piccolo |
| Cappuccino cup | 150–200 ml (about 5–7 oz) | Cappuccino, flat white |
| Latte glass or mug | 250–350 ml (about 8.5–12 oz) | Latte, americano, filter coffee |
| Tall glass | 300 ml and up (10 oz and up) | Iced coffee, cold brew |
Cup Size Matters: Choosing The Right Cup For Espresso, Cappuccino and Latte [90ml vs 240ml vs 350ml]
Espresso. A small cup keeps a short shot concentrated and warm. The less empty space around the coffee, the longer the crema and the heat last. A ceramic cup with thick walls does this well; our Matte Ceramic Espresso Cup & Saucer Set holds 51–100 ml and comes with its saucer.
Cappuccino and flat white. These need a little room for milk and foam to settle. Around 150 to 200 ml is the usual range. A wide, low shape gives foam space to spread, which is why the Glass Coffee Mug Set is built at 200 ml, 8 cm across the top and 5.5 cm tall.
Latte and americano. Larger drinks need 250 to 350 ml. A round, handle-free glass such as the Smoke Grey Double-Layer Glass Cup (250 ml) frames milk foam clearly, which helps if you are practicing latte art.
Iced coffee and cold brew. Choose clear glass with room for ice. The Mount Fuji Glass Cup holds 300 ml with a thick base, and the Borosilicate Glass Mug Set gives you six straight-sided 310 ml mugs for a table of guests.
Glass vs Ceramic: Why We Use Borosilicate Glass for Clarity and Ceramic for Heat
Neither is better in every case. They suit different habits.
- Ceramic holds heat well, especially with thick walls, and feels warm in the hand. It is a natural choice for espresso and short drinks you want to sip slowly.
- Glass shows the drink: crema, milk layers, ice, the color of tea. It does not carry flavors from one drink to the next, and it looks good on the table.
- Double-wall glass adds an air gap between two layers, so the drink stays warm longer while the outside is more comfortable to hold than single-wall glass.
What Is Borosilicate Glass, and Why Do Coffee Cups Use It?
Borosilicate glass is a heat-resistant glass that expands very little when it heats up. That is why it is used in lab equipment and in good-quality drinkware. It is commonly described as tolerating a temperature swing of around 165 °C, which is far more than ordinary glass, though exact limits depend on the maker and the cup's design. For a coffee cup, the practical meaning is simple: it copes better with going from a cool shelf to hot espresso. Warming any glass cup with a splash of hot water first is still a good habit.
How Do You Choose the Right Coffee Cup?
- Start with your most frequent drink. Pick the size for what you actually make every morning, then add a second size for the occasional one.
- Decide hot or iced. Hot drinks reward thick walls or a double wall. Iced drinks need height and room for ice.
- Think about the handle. Handles keep fingers off hot glass; handle-free cups put your hand around the drink and look cleaner on a tray.
- Buy sets if you host. Matching cups make a table look intentional, and a mix of sizes in one shape, like the Double Wall Glass Cup in 85, 150 and 350 ml, covers every drink in one style.
How Do You Care for Glass and Ceramic Cups?
Always check the care notes for the specific cup. Some of ours, such as the Double Wall Glass Cup and the Mount Fuji Glass Cup, are listed as hand wash only, with no dishwasher. In general, rinse before first use, avoid sudden extreme temperature changes, and dry glass with a soft cloth to keep it clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ml is a standard coffee cup? There is no single standard. Espresso cups run about 60–90 ml, cappuccino cups 150–200 ml, and latte mugs 250–350 ml.
What size cup is best for espresso? A cup of roughly 60 to 90 ml keeps the shot concentrated and warm without leaving too much empty space.
What is the difference between a cappuccino cup and a latte cup? A cappuccino cup is smaller, usually 150–200 ml, because the drink has less milk and more foam. A latte cup is larger, 250–350 ml, to hold more steamed milk.
Is glass or ceramic better for coffee? Ceramic keeps heat well and suits short drinks. Glass shows the drink and does not hold on to flavors. Double-wall glass keeps heat in while staying comfortable to hold.
Can borosilicate glass cups handle hot coffee? Yes, borosilicate glass is designed to tolerate heat far better than ordinary glass. Follow each product's care instructions for exact limits.
Do I need a saucer? Not strictly, but a saucer catches drips and gives you a place for a spoon, which is why it traditionally comes with espresso and cappuccino cups.
Browse the full Mugs collection, or start with the Matte Ceramic Espresso Cup & Saucer Set and the Double Wall Glass Cup.