How Many Ounces Is a Single or Double Shot of Espresso?

A standard double shot of espresso is 2 fluid ounces, while a single shot of espresso is 1 fluid ounce. These measurements are widely accepted in coffee culture and form the basis for most espresso-based drinks you’ll find in cafés and at home.

How Many Ounces Is a Shot of Espresso?

A single shot of espresso, also called a “solo,” is typically 1 fluid ounce (about 30 milliliters). This shot is made using 7–9 grams of finely ground coffee, and it’s the foundation for classic espresso drinks.

How Many Ounces Is a Double Shot of Espresso?

A double shot of espresso, or “doppio,” is 2 fluid ounces (about 60 milliliters). To make a double shot, baristas use 14–18 grams of coffee grounds. The double shot is now the standard in most American and international coffee shops, especially for milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.

Espresso Shot Sizes at a Glance

Type	Coffee Dose (g)	Volume (oz)	Volume (ml)
Ristretto	7–9	0.5	15
Single Shot	7–9	1.0	30
Double Shot	14–18	2.0	60
Lungo	7–9	1.5	45
Grand Lungo	7–9	3.0	90

Note: These are standard guidelines. Some cafés or home baristas may adjust doses and yields based on taste or equipment. And there are some variations:

Ristretto uses the same amount of coffee as a single shot but with less water, resulting in a more concentrated flavor.
Lungo uses more water for a longer, milder shot.
Grand Lungo is a larger, milder variation often found in capsule systems.

How Espresso Shot Volume Affects Your Drink

Single shots are often used for straight espresso or smaller drinks.
Double shots are the default for most espresso-based beverages, ensuring the coffee flavor stands out against milk or other ingredients.
Ristretto (short shot): About 0.5 oz (15 ml) per shot, using the same amount of coffee but less water for a more concentrated flavor.
Lungo (long shot): About 1.5 oz (45 ml) per shot, using more water for a milder taste.

Why Do Some Measurements Vary?

You may see slight variations in espresso shot sizes depending on the café, country, or machine settings. For example, Starbucks uses slightly smaller measurements for their espresso shots (0.75 oz for a single, 1.5 oz for a double). However, the 1 oz single and 2 oz double are the most widely accepted standards in specialty coffee.

Espresso by Weight vs. Volume

Espresso is all about precision. The ounce measurement refers to the volume of liquid espresso produced, not the weight. This is important because espresso shots are topped with crema—a layer of foam that increases the volume without adding much weight. For example, a double shot may look like 2 ounces in the cup, but it might weigh only 28–36 grams due to the crema.

Modern baristas often prefer to measure espresso by weight (grams in, grams out) rather than volume (ounces or milliliters) for greater precision. This is because crema can make the liquid appear larger than it actually is, leading to inconsistencies if you only measure by volume. However, for most home and casual café setups, using ounces as a guideline is perfectly acceptable.

In specialty cafés, the standard yield for espresso is:

Single shot: 7–9 grams of ground coffee yields about 18–20 grams of liquid espresso in the cup.
Double shot: 14–18 grams of ground coffee yields about 36–40 grams of liquid espresso.

This “brew ratio” (typically 1:2, meaning twice as much liquid as coffee grounds by weight) helps ensure consistent strength and flavor. Measuring by weight allows baristas to fine-tune their espresso recipes and maintain quality across every cup.

Explore our HiBrew espresso machine collection to brew café-quality espresso at home with precision and consistency. Many models allow users to set the shot volume for single or double shot espresso so that you can have your desired shot with a simple touch.