How many oz is a shot of espresso? A single shot of espresso is about 1 fluid ounce (30 ml), and a double shot is about 2 fluid ounces (60 ml). These are traditional volume guidelines. Many cafés and home baristas now measure espresso by weight instead, for example 18 g of ground coffee producing about 36 g of liquid espresso for a double shot.
Espresso shot sizes at a glance
| Shot | Approx. volume | Approx. ml | Typical recipe by weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single (solo) | 1 oz | 30 ml | 7–10 g coffee in, 14–20 g out |
| Double (doppio) | 2 oz | 60 ml | 14–20 g coffee in, 28–40 g out |
| Ristretto (single) | About 0.5–0.75 oz | 15–22 ml | About 1:1 to 1:1.5 ratio |
| Lungo (single) | About 1.5–2 oz | 45–60 ml | About 1:3 to 1:4 ratio |
| Triple | About 3 oz | 90 ml | Around 21–22 g in |
Volumes include some crema, the foam on top, which is why a shot can look bigger than its weight suggests.
How many oz is a shot of espresso: single vs double
Single shot
The traditional Italian espresso is a single shot of about 25–30 ml, roughly 1 oz, made with around 7 g of coffee. This is still what you get when you order “un caffè” in Italy.
Double shot
Most specialty cafés in the US, UK and Australia now use double shots as the standard, at about 2 oz (60 ml). Lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites usually start with a double. Many home machines, including popular Breville models, are designed around a double basket holding about 18 g of coffee.
If you are new to espresso, read what is espresso for the basics.
Why baristas measure espresso by weight
Volume is a rough guide because crema makes the liquid look bigger, and crema varies with bean freshness and roast. Weighing the shot on a scale gives a far more consistent result. A common modern recipe is:
- Dose: 18 g of ground coffee in a double basket
- Yield: 36 g of espresso in the cup (a 1:2 ratio)
- Time: about 25–30 seconds
A 36 g double shot is a little over 1 oz by weight but often looks closer to 1.5–2 oz in volume because of crema. Our espresso brew ratio guide explains how changing the ratio changes taste, and how long an espresso shot should take covers timing.
A small scale under your cup is the easiest way to measure. See our guide to the best espresso scales.
How much is a shot of espresso in tablespoons?
One fluid ounce equals 2 tablespoons, so a single shot is about 2 tablespoons and a double is about 4 tablespoons (¼ cup). This is useful for recipes that call for “a shot of espresso” when you are using strong coffee instead.
How much caffeine is in a shot of espresso?
A 1 oz shot of espresso contains about 63 mg of caffeine on average, according to the Mayo Clinic. A double shot has roughly 125 mg. Actual amounts vary with the beans, roast and dose. Robusta blends contain more caffeine than 100% Arabica.
For a full comparison with brewed coffee, see espresso vs coffee.
How many shots are in common espresso drinks?
| Drink | Typical shots | Typical size |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 1 or 2 | 1–2 oz |
| Macchiato | 1 or 2 | 2–3 oz |
| Cortado | 2 | 4–5 oz |
| Flat white | 2 | 5–6 oz |
| Cappuccino | 1–2 | 5–8 oz |
| Latte (small, 8–12 oz) | 1–2 | 8–12 oz |
| Latte (large, 16–20 oz) | 2–3 | 16–20 oz |
| Americano (12 oz) | 2 | 12 oz |
Café recipes vary, so ask how many shots a drink includes if caffeine matters to you. See our guide to latte vs cappuccino vs flat white and what is an Americano for more detail.
Ristretto and lungo: shorter and longer shots
- Ristretto means “restricted.” It uses the same dose of coffee but stops the shot early, at about half to three quarters of a normal volume. It tastes sweeter, thicker and less bitter.
- Lungo means “long.” It runs more water through the same dose, producing a larger, lighter-bodied shot that can taste more bitter.
Both contain roughly similar caffeine to a normal shot from the same dose, since most caffeine extracts early.
Shot sizes around the world
What you get when you order “an espresso” depends on where you are:
- Italy: a single, short shot of about 25–30 ml, drunk quickly at the bar.
- United States: many specialty cafés serve a double by default; chain cafés may offer “solo” and “doppio” sizes.
- Australia and New Zealand: doubles are common, and milk drinks are often made with ristretto-style shots.
- Portugal: a “bica” in Lisbon is a small espresso similar to the Italian single.
If you want a single, ask for a “single shot” or “solo.” For a stronger drink, ask for an extra shot.
Why the double became the standard
Double shots became the norm in specialty coffee partly because larger doses in bigger baskets extract more evenly and are easier to dial in consistently. Larger milk drinks also need more coffee to keep the espresso flavor from getting lost. As café cup sizes grew, so did the default shot.
Measuring a shot without a scale
- Use a shot glass with ounce or milliliter markings.
- Remember that crema adds volume. Let it settle for a few seconds before reading.
- Many machines have programmable buttons; set them once using a scale, then rely on them day to day.
Using “a shot of espresso” in recipes
Many baking and drink recipes call for “1 shot of espresso.” In most cases, that means about 1 oz (30 ml) of espresso. If you do not have an espresso machine, you can substitute 1 oz of moka pot coffee, a concentrated AeroPress brew, or 1–2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder dissolved in 30 ml of hot water. The flavor will be slightly different but works well in desserts, marinades and iced drinks.
How to pull a standard double shot
- Grind 18 g of fresh coffee to a fine, espresso-specific grind.
- Distribute evenly in the basket and tamp level.
- Place a cup on a scale under the portafilter.
- Brew until the scale reads about 36 g, roughly 25–30 seconds.
- Taste and adjust grind size if it runs too fast (sour) or too slow (bitter).
New to pulling shots? Our beginner’s guide to making espresso at home walks through the process.
FAQ
Is a shot of espresso 1 oz or 2 oz?
A single shot is about 1 oz (30 ml). A double shot, now the café standard in many countries, is about 2 oz (60 ml).
How many ml is a shot of espresso?
About 30 ml for a single and 60 ml for a double, though modern recipes often measure by weight instead.
How many grams is a shot of espresso?
A typical double shot yields about 36–40 g of liquid espresso from 18–20 g of coffee. A single yields about 14–20 g.
Is a double shot twice as strong?
It has about twice the caffeine and volume of a single, but similar concentration, so it tastes about the same strength per sip.
How big is a shot of espresso compared to a regular shot glass?
A standard US shot glass holds about 1.5 oz, so a single espresso fills it about two thirds of the way.