A coffee mug, whether it’s filled with coffee, tea, or hot cocoa, is probably something most people have picked up and held.
However, not many people know how much a coffee mug weighs.
Although it may not seem important, knowing how much a coffee mug weighs can help those who have issues holding small but heavy objects.
It can also aid in figuring out the best storage options.
Average Weight of a Coffee Mug
Coffee mugs can be made from different types of materials. However, most coffee mugs are made of either porcelain or ceramics. These China-like materials are relatively lightweight, so mugs made from either porcelain or ceramics usually weigh between .55 pounds and .88 pounds. This is equal to between 250 and 400 grams.
Exactly how much a mug weighs depends largely on the size of the mug.
Some coffee mugs are designed for stronger coffee, such as an espresso blend, so they’re small, while other mugs are larger for people who prefer a bigger cup of coffee to get them going each day.
Larger mugs will, of course, weigh a bit more than smaller mugs.
In addition, the style of the mug can change how much it weighs. Mugs that are thicker, have wider lips, or have larger handles will weigh a bit more than plainer, thinner mugs.
Mugs that have any added decorations will also weigh a bit more.
Different Mug Materials
As mentioned above, coffee mugs can be made from a variety of materials.
Although most mugs are made of either ceramics or porcelain, coffee mugs can also be made of stoneware, glass, stainless steel, or even a type of sturdy, reusable plastic called melamine.
Each of these materials has a different weight, so the average weight of a coffee mug made from each material will be different than the average weight of a mug made of ceramic materials.
Stoneware coffee mugs are generally the heaviest mugs.
Not only are they made of a denser, heavier material, but stoneware mugs are also often a bit larger than other coffee mugs.
On average, stoneware coffee mugs can weigh anywhere from just over 1 pound to about 1 and a half pounds, or somewhere between 490 to 685 grams.
Glass coffee mugs can also be relatively heavy.
Due to how they’ll be used, glass mugs are generally much thicker and more sturdy than other types of glass cups.
Glass coffee mugs usually weigh somewhere between half a pound and 1 and a half pounds, or between 235 and 685 grams.
Stainless steel mugs, such as those used for camping, are generally a bit smaller than regular mugs so that they can be packed and stored easily.
The metal is also usually relatively thin.
These and reusable plastic mugs usually weigh about half a pound or less, depending on their exact size and material.
Average Weight of a Travel Mug
Travel coffee mugs or tumblers are usually a completely different shape than regular coffee mugs, and they’re more often made of stainless steel or plastic.
Stainless steel tumblers, which are the most common tumbler type, usually weigh between .7 and .9 pounds or about 315 to 390 grams.
Plastic travel mugs are used almost exclusively for iced coffee or other cold drinks.
Because they don’t need to hold in warmth, the material of these mugs is much thinner than the insulating materials used to make stainless steel travel tumblers.
On average, reusable plastic coffee tumblers generally weigh about half a pound or less.
The average weight of a coffee mug is 250-400 grams when empty.
Average Weight of Disposable Coffee Cups
Disposable coffee cups, such as the type of cup you’d get when you order takeout, are made of lightweight materials such as plastic or paper.
Depending on the material and the exact size of the cup, these disposable mugs can weigh anywhere from .02 to .04 pounds or 9 to 18 grams.
Full Mugs vs. Empty Mugs
A coffee mug might feel relatively light, but once it’s filled with liquid, it can become heavy.
Exactly how much that liquid weighs depends on how much the mug can hold and what you put in your coffee.
The average size of a ‘cup’ of coffee doesn’t always equal the standard imperial cup unit of measurement.
Instead, a cup of coffee generally measures somewhere between 6 and 8 fluid ounces, or between about 177 and 237 grams.
Eight fluid ounces is equal to one standard imperial cup.
Eight ounces of water is actually equal to just over 8 ounces in weight, and more dense liquids, such as coffee or hot cocoa, will weigh a little bit more.
Coffee is still a relatively thin liquid, so its weight isn’t too much more than water.
Adding sugar, milk, cream, or any other mix-ins or toppings can also add to the weight of the liquid in the mug.