Tea Leaf Per Cup Calculator
Work out how many grams and teaspoons of loose-leaf tea to use for your number of cups and cup size.
How it works
Per cup = grams per 240 ml (by type) × cup size ÷ 240 · Total = per cup × cups · Teaspoons ≈ grams ÷ 2
Loose-leaf dosing scales with cup volume, using a per-type baseline for an 8 oz (240 ml) cup: denser black leaf around 2.5 g, fluffier green nearer 2 g, and bulky oolong, white and herbal leaves nearer 3 g. Multiplying the baseline by your cup size and cup count gives the total to measure, and dividing grams by two converts to the more familiar teaspoon. A kitchen scale beats a spoon because leaf density varies enormously between a tightly rolled gunpowder green and a whole-leaf white.
Worked example
Two 240 ml cups of black tea at 2.5 g per cup need 2 × 2.5 = 5 g of leaf, which is about 2.5 teaspoons.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the amount differ by tea type?
It is about leaf density, not caffeine. Fluffy, large-leaf teas (white, some herbals) weigh less per spoon, so you need more volume for the same grams, while dense rolled leaves pack more into a spoon.
Grams or teaspoons — which is better?
Grams on a scale are the most consistent because a "teaspoon" of feathery white tea and rolled green tea weigh very differently. The teaspoon figure here is a convenient approximation at about 2 g per level teaspoon.
Does steeping time change the leaf amount?
Not directly — leaf quantity sets strength per cup, while steeping time and water temperature control extraction. Use this for the dose, then follow the steeping guide for your tea type.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.