Quick answer: For to-go espresso, a 4 oz paper cup is the standard: it holds a single or double shot with room to carry. A 6 oz cup suits cortados, macchiatos, small kids' drinks and generous samples. Small cups need their own lids, since their rims are smaller than 8 oz and larger cups (a typical 4 oz cup is about 62 mm across). Stock both only if your menu and volume justify two extra SKUs.
Key takeaways
- 4 oz: espresso, doppio, samples.
- 6 oz: cortado, macchiato, kids' drinks.
- Separate lids: small rims don't share with 8 oz+.
- Branded small cups look premium for straight espresso.
Why small cups matter
Straight espresso and small milk drinks are a growing part of many menus, and a 4 oz espresso served in a 12 oz cup looks lost and cools fast. Small cups also make sampling neat and affordable, and kids' drinks safer to carry.
4 oz vs. 6 oz
| 4 oz | 6 oz | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical drinks | Espresso, doppio, ristretto | Cortado, macchiato, small flat white, kids' drinks |
| Sampling | Tasting portions | Generous samples |
| Typical rim | ~62 mm (varies) | Varies; check specs |
| Lid | Small sip lid | Size-specific lid |
| Heat | Single wall common; sleeves rare | Single or double wall |
| Storage | Very compact | Compact |
A UK supplier's specifications for a common 4 oz paper espresso cup list 115 ml capacity, a 62 mm top and 60 mm height. Specs vary by manufacturer, so confirm the rim before ordering lids.
Lids
Small cups need their own lids. By comparison, a common 8 oz hot cup has an 80 mm rim, so its lid won't fit a 4 oz cup. Options include:
- Sip lids for espresso to go
- Flat lids for samples
- No lid for dine-in or immediate sampling
See our types of coffee cup lids guide and lid fit troubleshooting guide.
Which drinks go where
| Drink | Cup |
|---|---|
| Single or double espresso | 4 oz |
| Espresso con panna | 4 oz |
| Macchiato | 4 oz or 6 oz |
| Cortado / gibraltar | 6 oz (or 4.5 oz glass in-house) |
| Small flat white | 6 oz (or 8 oz) |
| Babyccino / kids' steamer | 6 oz |
| Samples of drip or seasonal drinks | 4 oz |
For drink definitions, see our espresso drinks guide.
Sampling programs
Small cups are a sales tool. Offer 2 oz tastes of a new seasonal drink or a single-origin pour-over, especially during slower hours. Branded sample cups make the taste feel like a gift rather than a giveaway.
Illustrative: 50 samples a day at 2 oz of a drink costing $0.08/oz = $8 plus 50 cups. If samples convert even five extra sales of a $6 drink, they've paid for themselves.
Single wall or double wall?
Most 4 oz espresso cups are single wall, since the drink is small and consumed quickly. For 6 oz cortados and flat whites that customers carry, double-wall cups keep fingers comfortable without a sleeve. See our double-wall vs. single-wall guide for the trade-offs. If you serve espresso to go often, consider a small carrier or tray for multi-drink orders, since tiny cups tip easily in bags.
Serving tips for espresso to go
- Pull directly into the cup on the scale to keep crema intact.
- Offer a glass of water for dine-in espresso; it's a small hospitality gesture borrowed from European cafés.
- Hand off immediately; espresso changes fast as it cools.
How many to stock
Use your POS: count espresso, cortado and kids' drinks sold to go per week, add samples, and set par levels. If small drinks are rare, consider stocking only the 4 oz size and using it for everything small. See our cup forecasting guide.
Branding small cups
Small cups have less space, so keep designs simple: a logo or a single pattern. A branded espresso cup feels premium, and espresso drinkers often snap photos. See our cup design tips.
Branded cups in every size
Affogato Bean prints branded cups from small espresso sizes to large cold cups, with design help included. See products or request samples.
Frequently asked questions
What size cup is used for espresso to go?
A 4 oz paper cup is the most common to-go espresso cup. It holds a single or double shot with room to carry, and many come with matching sip lids.
What size cup is a cortado served in?
Cortados are often served in about 4–4.5 oz glasses in-house. For to-go, many cafés use a 6 oz cup for a little more room, or a 4 oz cup for smaller recipes.
Do 4 oz cups use the same lid as 8 oz cups?
Usually not. Small cups have smaller rims (a typical 4 oz paper cup is about 62 mm across), so they need their own lids. Check rim diameters with your supplier.
Sources
- Cater4You, “4oz Plain White Paper Espresso Coffee Cup (specifications).”
- Lollicup (Karat), “8 oz Paper Coffee Cups, White, 80 mm — specifications.”
Sources checked October 2026. Statistics are reported as published by each source.