Why moka pot size matters

Moka pots are simple to use and make quality coffee, but they can only make a fixed amount. You shouldn’t overfill or underfill them, so choosing the right size ensures you get the amount of coffee you need.

How moka pot size is measured

Moka pots use the terms “cups” or “tazza” for sizing, but these aren’t the same as standard recipe cup sizes or a typical cup of coffee. One moka pot cup equals approximately 60 ml or 2.1 fl. oz., similar to a double espresso.

What is a tazza?

In Italian, “tazza” means “cup” or “mug.” When talking about moka pots, an Italian invention, “tazza” is used to describe one serving, about 60ml. The term is often abbreviated as “tz” or referred to as “tasses” in French.

Which size moka pot should you buy?

There are numerous moka pot brands, but we highly recommend Bialetti:

  • They invented the moka pot.
  • Their iconic moka pot design has hardly changed since 1933.
  • Their products last a very long time.
  • Their popularity and consitent design means replacement parts and information are easy to find.
  • Their moka pots produce great coffee.

Since Bialetti is our recommendation — and the most popular brand — we’ve concentrated our size guide on their products.

If you’re looking for something really special — Alessi creates beatufiul moka pots. However, be prepared for a significantly higher cost and more difficulty in sourcing replacement parts.

What size moka pot for one person?

For one person, we recommend a 3-cup Moka Express. A cup is just 60 ml / 2.1 oz when it comes to moka pots, so this will allow you to brew one large mug of coffee. It’s more versatile can be used to make two smaller cups if you have someone round.

If you like espresso-like coffee, the 1-cup moka pot is recommended, but you’ll have to brew again for a more servings. For making two shots at once, opt for the 2-cup moka pot.

Moka pots for one person
Bialetti 1-Cup Moka ExpressBuy on AmazonBuy used on eBay
Bialetti 2-Cup Moka ExpressBuy on AmazonBuy used on eBay
Bialetti 3-Cup Moka ExpressBuy on AmazonBuy used on eBay

What size moka pot for two people?

For two people, we recommend the 6-cup Moka Express. The 3-cup and 4-cup versions yield only two small, espresso-like drinks. For larger mugs of coffee, the 6-cup size is more appropriate.

Moka pots for two people
Bialetti 3-Cup Moka ExpressBuy on AmazonBuy used on eBay
Bialetti 4-Cup Moka ExpressBuy on AmazonBuy used on eBay
Bialetti 6-Cup Moka ExpressBuy on AmazonBuy used on eBay

What size moka pot for a big group?

For a large group, the 9 cup, 12 cup, and 18 cup are the sizes you should consider.

  • The 9-cup provides three medium servings — which you can top up with a dash of milk.
  • The 12 cup is great for 4 to 5 servings.
  • The 18 cup one is huge and can serve for groups of over 5 people.

If you rarely need to serve large groups, a 6-cup moka pot or smaller is advised. Brewing in batches for infrequent large gatherings is better than compromising taste with a large pot for small servings, or wasting excess coffee.

If you regularly serve big groups we recommend the 12-cup

The 18-cup moka pot is just a bit absurd — and it’s harder to buy parts for.

Moka pots for big groups
Bialetti 9 Cup Moka ExpressBuy on AmazonBuy used on eBay
Bialetti 12 Cup Moka ExpressBuy on AmazonBuy used on eBay
Bialetti 18 Cup Moka ExpressBuy on AmazonBuy used on eBay

Moka pot size charts

Bialetti Moka Express size chart

Use this chart and table to differentiate between Bialetti Moka Express models by height, base width, and water volume.

A diagram showing Bialetti Moka Express moka pots to scale with a y axis describing thier heights

View high resolution version with data Source: Honest Coffee Guide

Bialetti Moka Express sizes
1-cup2-cup3-cup4-cup6-cup9-cup12-cup18-cup
height13.5 cm14.5 cm16.0 cm18.0 cm21.5 cm25.0 cm29.5 cm32.0 cm
5.3 in5.7 in6.3 in7.1 in8.5 in9.8 in11.6 in12.6 in
base width7.0 cm8.0 cm9.0 cm9.5 cm11.0 cm11.5 cm13.5 cm13.5 cm
2.8 in3.1 in3.5 in3.7 in4.3 in4.5 in5.3 in5.3 in
volume60 ml90 ml130 ml185 ml250 ml410 ml595 ml800 ml
2 oz3 oz4.4 oz6.3 oz8.5 oz14 oz20 oz27 oz
Amazon linkBuy on AmazonBuy on AmazonBuy on AmazonBuy on AmazonBuy on AmazonBuy on AmazonBuy on AmazonBuy on Amazon

Bialetti Venus, Musa, and Kitty size chart

Use this chart and table to differentiate between Bialetti Musa, Venus, and Kitty by height, diameter, and water volume.

A diagram showing Bialetti Venus, Musa, and Kitty moka pots to scale with a y axis describing thier heights

View high resolution version with data Source: Honest Coffee Guide

Bialetti Musa sizes
1-cup2-cup4-cup6-cup10-cup
height12.0 cm14.5 cm18.0 cm20.0 cm24.0 cm
4.7 in5.7 in7.0 in7.9 in9.4 in
base width6.0 cm7.0 cm9.0 cm10.5 cm11.5 cm
2.4 in2.8 in3.5 in4.1 in4.5 in
volume40 ml75 ml150 ml225 ml430 ml
1.5 oz2.5 oz5 oz7.5 oz14.5 oz
Amazon linkBuy on AmazonBuy on AmazonBuy on AmazonBuy on AmazonBuy on Amazon
Bialetti Venus sizes
2-cup4-cup6-cup10-cup
height14.0 cm17.0 cm20.0 cm23.0 cm
5.5 in6.7 in7.9 in9.0 in
base width8.0 cm9.5 cm10.5 cm13.0 cm
3.1 in3.7 in4.1 in5.1 in
volume85 ml180 ml235 ml460 ml
3 oz6 oz8 oz15.5 oz
Amazon linkBuy on AmazonBuy on AmazonBuy on AmazonBuy on Amazon
Bialetti Kitty sizes
2-cup4-cup6-cup10-cup
height13.0 cm17.0 cm19.5 cm23.0 cm
5.1 in6.7 in7.7 in9.0 in
base width7.0 cm8.5 cm9.2 cm11.5 cm
2.7 in3.3 in3.6 in4.5 in
volume115 ml230 ml300 ml450 ml
4 oz8 oz10 oz15 oz
Amazon linkBuy on AmazonBuy on AmazonBuy on AmazonBuy on Amazon

Bialetti Brikka, Induction, and others size chart

A diagram showing Bialetti Brikka, Induction, and other moka pots to scale with a y axis describing thier heights

View high resolution version Source: Honest Coffee Guide

How to tell what size moka pot you have?

Many moka pots look very similar except for their size. The easiest way to tell what size moka pot you have is to measure the volume of water you use to fill the lower chamber.

a 3D x-ray style diagram of a moka pot with the lower chamber filled with water just below the safety valve
Source: Honest Coffee Guide

Measuring the volume of water

To measure the volume of water in your moka pot:

  1. Fill the lower chamber up to the guide line
  2. Empty the water into a measuring jug.
  3. Take note of how many millilitres (ml) the jug is filled to.
  4. Compare the number of millilitres with the moka pot size charts above.

Measuring the height or diameter

If you don’t have access to a measuring jug then the height and diameter of moka pots can help you determine which one you have.

Note — the height and diameter is often very similar between models — measure both and use the tables on this page to make sure you’ve got the right one.

Moka pot gasket size guide

It is strangely difficult to find information on the correct gasket sizes for moka pots — we’re working on a tool just for this — for now, we’ve created these tables.

Bialetti Moka Express gasket sizes

The Bialetti Moka Express models have unique gasket sizes for each size, except the 3-cup and 4-cup models, which use the same gasket.

Bialetti Moka Express gasket sizes
brandmodelcupsinner diameterouter diameterAmazon link
BialettiExpress140 mm51 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiExpress241 mm57 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiExpress350 mm65 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiExpress450 mm65 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiExpress655 mm71 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiExpress963 mm81 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiExpress1274 mm90 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiExpress1874 mm92 mmBuy on Amazon

Bialetti Moka Musa, Venus, and Kitty gasket sizes

The Musa, Venus, and Kitty models have interchangeable gasket sizes. For example, the 4-cup Musa uses the same gasket as the 4-cup Venus.

Bialetti Musa gasket sizes
brandmodelcupsinner diameterouter diameterAmazon link
BialettiMusa142 mm52 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiMusa242 mm52 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiMusa451 mm65 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiMusa656 mm72 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiMusa1069 mm85 mmBuy on Amazon
Bialetti Venus gasket sizes
brandmodelcupsinner diameterouter diameterAmazon link
BialettiVenus242 mm52 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiVenus451 mm65 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiVenus656 mm72 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiVenus1069 mm85 mmBuy on Amazon
Bialetti Kitty gasket sizes
brandmodelcupsinner diameterouter diameterAmazon link
BialettiKitty242 mm52 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiKitty451 mm65 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiKitty656 mm72 mmBuy on Amazon
BialettiKitty1069 mm85 mmBuy on Amazon