Cost Per Cup Calculator
Ingredient cost per cup from bag price and dose. Cups per bag, cost per gram, and optional milk cost.
Milk Cost (optional)
Coffee Cost / Cup
$1
Cups per Bag
16
Price per Gram
$0
Price per Oz
$2
Last updated
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your bag price and bag weight to get cost per gram, then enter your dose per cup to see what each cup costs in coffee alone. Optionally add milk volume and price to include milk cost in the total.
Why Cost per Gram Matters More Than Price per Bag
A $22 bag and an $18 bag are not comparable unless you know the weight. A $22 340g bag costs $0.065 per gram. An $18 250g bag costs $0.072 per gram: more expensive per cup despite the lower bag price. Cost per gram is the honest comparison unit.
For context: at 15g per cup, a coffee costing $0.07 per gram runs about $1.05 per cup in coffee cost alone. On a $5.00 latte, that is roughly 21% coffee pour cost before adding milk, packaging, and labor.
The cups-per-bag number is also useful for procurement planning. Knowing you get roughly 16 cups from a 250g bag at 15g dose tells you how often to reorder and lets you model weekly coffee spend against sales volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this calculator use grams instead of ounces?
Grams are the standard unit in specialty coffee because they are precise and not subject to packing differences. A tablespoon of coarsely ground coffee weighs very differently than a tablespoon of finely ground coffee. The calculator accepts ounces and pounds as well; it converts internally to grams for the calculation.
What dose should I enter?
Enter the dose you actually use per cup. For drip coffee, that is typically 15 to 20g per 250–300ml cup (SCA standard is about 55–65g per liter). For espresso, a standard double shot uses 17 to 20g. If you are not sure, weigh your usual scoop; most estimates are off by 20 to 30%.
How is milk cost calculated?
If you enter both the milk volume per drink (in fluid ounces) and the price of a half-gallon of milk (64 fl oz), the calculator divides the half-gallon price by 64 to get cost per ounce, then multiplies by the volume per drink. A standard 12 oz latte uses about 8–9 oz of milk after steaming losses.
Why does cost per gram matter more than cost per bag?
Advertised bag prices are not comparable across different bag sizes. A $18 250g bag and a $28 500g bag both cost $0.072 per gram: the same coffee cost per cup. Cost per gram is the honest number for comparing value across different suppliers and bag sizes.
Does this include labor or overhead?
No. This calculator shows ingredient cost only: coffee and optional milk. It does not include labor, equipment depreciation, packaging, rent, or any other overhead. To get to a full COGS, use the Cost of Goods Calculator, which adds milk, syrup, cups, and lids. Pour cost and drink pricing require additional overhead analysis.
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