How Much Coffee for 200 People?
Quick Answer
For 200 people at a event, you need approximately 300 cups of coffee.
Estimated cost: $75 - $225
How We Calculate
Start with guest count
200 people
Multiply by drinks per person
200 ร 1.5 = 300 total cups
Convert to purchasing units
300 รท 1 servings per cup = 300 cups
Tips for Serving Coffee to 200 Guests
- โ Offer both regular and decaf
- โ Set up cream, sugar, and sweetener station
- โ Keep coffee hot in insulated carafes
- โ 12-cup pot = about 10 actual servings
- โ Consider a coffee urn for 50+ guests
Service Plan for 200 Guests
For a event, plan on approximately 300 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: 360+ cups, 300+ 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 200 people?
For 200 people at a standard 3-hour party, you need 300 cups. This is based on 1.5 cups per person.
What's the cost of coffee for 200 guests?
Expect to spend $75 - $225 on coffee for 200 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 45 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
- USDA FoodData Central Retrieved: February 19, 2026
- NIH Rethinking Drinking (standard drink references) Retrieved: February 19, 2026
- FDA Food Safety Guidance Retrieved: February 19, 2026