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.
Bialetti 1-Cup Moka Express | Buy on Amazon | Buy used on eBay |
Bialetti 2-Cup Moka Express | Buy on Amazon | Buy used on eBay |
Bialetti 3-Cup Moka Express | Buy on Amazon | Buy 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.
Bialetti 3-Cup Moka Express | Buy on Amazon | Buy used on eBay |
Bialetti 4-Cup Moka Express | Buy on Amazon | Buy used on eBay |
Bialetti 6-Cup Moka Express | Buy on Amazon | Buy 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.
Bialetti 9 Cup Moka Express | Buy on Amazon | Buy used on eBay |
Bialetti 12 Cup Moka Express | Buy on Amazon | Buy used on eBay |
Bialetti 18 Cup Moka Express | Buy on Amazon | Buy 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. View high resolution version with data Source: Honest Coffee Guide
1-cup | 2-cup | 3-cup | 4-cup | 6-cup | 9-cup | 12-cup | 18-cup | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
height | 13.5 cm | 14.5 cm | 16.0 cm | 18.0 cm | 21.5 cm | 25.0 cm | 29.5 cm | 32.0 cm |
5.3 in | 5.7 in | 6.3 in | 7.1 in | 8.5 in | 9.8 in | 11.6 in | 12.6 in | |
base width | 7.0 cm | 8.0 cm | 9.0 cm | 9.5 cm | 11.0 cm | 11.5 cm | 13.5 cm | 13.5 cm |
2.8 in | 3.1 in | 3.5 in | 3.7 in | 4.3 in | 4.5 in | 5.3 in | 5.3 in | |
volume | 60 ml | 90 ml | 130 ml | 185 ml | 250 ml | 410 ml | 595 ml | 800 ml |
2 oz | 3 oz | 4.4 oz | 6.3 oz | 8.5 oz | 14 oz | 20 oz | 27 oz | |
Amazon link | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy 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. View high resolution version with data Source: Honest Coffee Guide
1-cup | 2-cup | 4-cup | 6-cup | 10-cup | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
height | 12.0 cm | 14.5 cm | 18.0 cm | 20.0 cm | 24.0 cm |
4.7 in | 5.7 in | 7.0 in | 7.9 in | 9.4 in | |
base width | 6.0 cm | 7.0 cm | 9.0 cm | 10.5 cm | 11.5 cm |
2.4 in | 2.8 in | 3.5 in | 4.1 in | 4.5 in | |
volume | 40 ml | 75 ml | 150 ml | 225 ml | 430 ml |
1.5 oz | 2.5 oz | 5 oz | 7.5 oz | 14.5 oz | |
Amazon link | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
2-cup | 4-cup | 6-cup | 10-cup | |
---|---|---|---|---|
height | 14.0 cm | 17.0 cm | 20.0 cm | 23.0 cm |
5.5 in | 6.7 in | 7.9 in | 9.0 in | |
base width | 8.0 cm | 9.5 cm | 10.5 cm | 13.0 cm |
3.1 in | 3.7 in | 4.1 in | 5.1 in | |
volume | 85 ml | 180 ml | 235 ml | 460 ml |
3 oz | 6 oz | 8 oz | 15.5 oz | |
Amazon link | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
2-cup | 4-cup | 6-cup | 10-cup | |
---|---|---|---|---|
height | 13.0 cm | 17.0 cm | 19.5 cm | 23.0 cm |
5.1 in | 6.7 in | 7.7 in | 9.0 in | |
base width | 7.0 cm | 8.5 cm | 9.2 cm | 11.5 cm |
2.7 in | 3.3 in | 3.6 in | 4.5 in | |
volume | 115 ml | 230 ml | 300 ml | 450 ml |
4 oz | 8 oz | 10 oz | 15 oz | |
Amazon link | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti Brikka, Induction, and others size chart

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.
Measuring the volume of water
To measure the volume of water in your moka pot:
- Fill the lower chamber up to the guide line
- Empty the water into a measuring jug.
- Take note of how many millilitres (ml) the jug is filled to.
- 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.
brand | model | cups | inner diameter | outer diameter | Amazon link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bialetti | Express | 1 | 40 mm | 51 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Express | 2 | 41 mm | 57 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Express | 3 | 50 mm | 65 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Express | 4 | 50 mm | 65 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Express | 6 | 55 mm | 71 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Express | 9 | 63 mm | 81 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Express | 12 | 74 mm | 90 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Express | 18 | 74 mm | 92 mm | Buy 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.
brand | model | cups | inner diameter | outer diameter | Amazon link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bialetti | Musa | 1 | 42 mm | 52 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Musa | 2 | 42 mm | 52 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Musa | 4 | 51 mm | 65 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Musa | 6 | 56 mm | 72 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Musa | 10 | 69 mm | 85 mm | Buy on Amazon |
brand | model | cups | inner diameter | outer diameter | Amazon link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bialetti | Venus | 2 | 42 mm | 52 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Venus | 4 | 51 mm | 65 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Venus | 6 | 56 mm | 72 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Venus | 10 | 69 mm | 85 mm | Buy on Amazon |
brand | model | cups | inner diameter | outer diameter | Amazon link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bialetti | Kitty | 2 | 42 mm | 52 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Kitty | 4 | 51 mm | 65 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Kitty | 6 | 56 mm | 72 mm | Buy on Amazon |
Bialetti | Kitty | 10 | 69 mm | 85 mm | Buy on Amazon |