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How Much Coffee for 125 People?

Quick Answer

For 125 people at a event, you need approximately 188 cups of coffee.

Estimated cost: $47 - $141

188 cups

for 125 people

Estimated cost: $47 - $141

How We Calculate

1

Start with guest count

125 people

2

Multiply by drinks per person

125 ร— 1.5 = 187.5 total cups

3

Convert to purchasing units

187.5 รท 1 servings per cup = 188 cups

Tips for Serving Coffee to 125 Guests

  • โœ“ Offer both regular and decaf
  • โœ“ Set up cream, sugar, and sweetener station
  • โœ“ Keep coffee hot in insulated carafes
  • โœ“ 12-cup pot = about 10 actual servings
  • โœ“ Consider a coffee urn for 50+ guests

Service Plan for 125 Guests

For a event, plan on approximately 187.5 total servings over a 4-hour event. Keep a 15-20% buffer so you can handle late arrivals and heavier-than-average consumption.

Since coffee is often a base beverage, stage replacement stock in coolers so the serving area stays full without crowding guests.

  • Prep checklist: 225+ cups, 188+ lbs of ice, and backup storage nearby.
  • Chill strategy: pre-chill at least 70% before service to reduce ice melt and dilution.
  • Replenishment cadence: refresh serving stations every 30-45 minutes instead of all at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coffee do I need for 125 people?

For 125 people at a standard 3-hour party, you need 188 cups. This is based on 1.5 cups per person.

What's the cost of coffee for 125 guests?

Expect to spend $47 - $141 on coffee for 125 people, based on typical prices of $0.25-$0.75 per cup.

Should I buy extra coffee?

Yes! We recommend adding 10-15% extra for unexpected guests or heavy drinkers. That's about 29 more cups.

Editorial Process and Sources

Last reviewed: February 19, 2026

Publisher: FeedMyGuests Editorial Team ยท Contact: contact@feedmyguests.com

This page is generated from structured coffee consumption baselines and conversion rules, then reviewed for calculation consistency and internal-link quality checks.

Reference Sources

Coffee for Other Party Sizes