Find Your Moka Size
Italian moka "cups" are 2oz espresso shots — not 10oz mugs. Let's find the right size for how you actually drink coffee.
How many people are drinking?
How do you drink your coffee?
Recommended Moka Express
3cup
For 1 person drinking mug-sized servings, you need ~120ml (4.1oz). The 3-cup Moka Express produces 130ml.
Remember: Moka pots must be filled completely to their rated capacity to brew correctly.
Stove Compatibility
The classic aluminum Moka Express works on most stoves — with one important exception.
Your stove type
Fully Compatible
The Moka Express performs best on gas — use low to medium flame for even extraction.
Brew Calculator
Get the exact water volume and coffee grounds weight for your Moka Express size and roast preference.
Balanced density — the most common choice
Your Brew Recipe
Water (fill to valve)
130 ml
Coffee Grounds
20 g
Fill basket loosely, don't tamp
Dimensions
16cm × 9cm
height × base width
Yield
130 ml
3 Italian shots
Troubleshooting Guide
Select any issues you're experiencing to see fixes.
Select an issue above to see specific recommendations.
All Moka Express Sizes
| Size | Water | Coffee (medium) | Height | Base | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-cup | 60ml | 7g | 13.5cm | 7cm | Solo espresso |
| 2-cup | 90ml | 11g | 14.5cm | 8cm | Solo espresso |
| 3-cup | 130ml | 20g | 16cm | 9cm | 1-2 people |
| 4-cup | 185ml | 26g | 18cm | 9.5cm | 1-2 people |
| 6-cup | 250ml | 38g | 21.5cm | 11cm | 2-4 people |
| 9-cup | 410ml | 60g | 25cm | 11.5cm | 2-4 people |
| 12-cup | 595ml | 80g | 29.5cm | 13.5cm | Gatherings |
| 18-cup | 800ml | 108g | 32cm | 13.5cm | Gatherings |
Dimensions may vary slightly by production year. Coffee weight assumes a medium-grind, level-filled basket.
Sources
- Moka Pot sizing is measured in Italian espresso cups (tazza), not typical US coffee mugs.Source ↗
- Bialetti Moka Express physical specifications and water volumes.Source ↗
- Moka pots must be filled completely to their rated capacity to brew correctly.Source ↗
- The classic Aluminum Moka Express compatibility with induction stoves.Source ↗
- Coffee basket capacity calculations for Moka Express based on density.Source ↗
- Official Bialetti instructions on fill levels, heat settings, and sound cues.Source ↗