Short answer: A 2 lb bag makes about 60 cups of coffee. A 5 lb bag makes about 150 cups. Pick the size your house finishes in about four weeks or less. For most homes with 3 or more coffee drinkers, that is the 5 lb bag.
How many cups are in a 2 lb and a 5 lb bag
We brew at 1 gram of coffee to 16 grams of water. One 8 oz cup uses about 15 grams of coffee.
- A 2 lb bag holds about 907 grams. It makes about 60 cups.
- A 5 lb bag holds about 2,268 grams. It makes about 150 cups.
A stronger brew makes fewer cups. A bigger mug counts as more than one cup.
How long each bag lasts in your house
This table assumes each person drinks 2 cups a day, every day.
| Coffee drinkers | 2 lb bag lasts | 5 lb bag lasts | Best size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | about 15 days | about 38 days | 2 lb |
| 3 | about 10 days | about 25 days | 5 lb |
| 4 | about 8 days | about 19 days | 5 lb |
| 5 | about 6 days | about 15 days | 5 lb |
Many roasters say to use opened whole bean coffee within about two to four weeks. A house of 2 needs more than five weeks to finish a 5 lb bag. That is too long for good flavor. Buy the 2 lb bag instead.
What you save per pound
A bigger bag usually costs less per pound. These are three coffees from our bulk collection. Prices are from October 2026 and can change.
| Coffee | Small bag | 2 lb bag | 5 lb bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camila's Organic | $20 for 12 oz ($26.67/lb) | $46 ($23.00/lb) | $102 ($20.40/lb) |
| Breakfast Blend (Cafe Altura) | $15 for 10 oz ($24.00/lb) | $47 ($23.50/lb) | $92.25 ($18.45/lb) |
| Black Diamond Blend (Evans Brothers) | $19.50 for 12 oz ($26.00/lb) | $44 ($22.00/lb) | $104 ($20.80/lb) |
The 5 lb bag gives the biggest saving on all three. The 2 lb saving is smaller, and on some coffees it is close to zero. Check the price on the size menu before you pick.
A house with coffee drinkers and decaf drinkers
Buy one big bag of your main coffee. Buy a smaller bag of decaf. Most decaf drinkers drink fewer cups, so a large decaf bag can go stale before you finish it.
If your house drinks a lot of decaf, a 5 lb decaf bag can make sense. Organic Star Valley Decaf from Wonderstate Coffee comes in 1.5 lb and 5 lb bags.
Whole bean or ground
Whole bean stays fresh longer than ground coffee. Buy whole bean if you own a grinder. If you do not, pick the grind that matches your coffee maker. Most coffees in the bulk collection list several grind sizes.
How to keep a big bag fresh at home
- Keep the bag sealed until you need it.
- Store it in a cool, dark cupboard. Keep it away from the stove and the sink.
- Put about one week of coffee in an airtight jar for daily use.
- Roll the big bag closed after you fill the jar.
- If your house needs more than a month to finish the bag, split it. Some roasters suggest you freeze sealed, airtight portions and thaw one portion at a time. Do not put a thawed portion back in the freezer.
How ordering works
Pick the 2 lb or 5 lb size on the product page. You pay at our checkout. The roaster packs and ships your order. Orders from more than one roaster can arrive in separate boxes.
Browse every 2 lb and 5 lb coffee in our bulk collection. Buying for a party? Read how much coffee to buy for an event. Buying for work? Read how much coffee an office needs.
Last updated October 2026.