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Bodum counts a "cup" as about 4 oz, so its four standard French press sizes hold 12 oz (3 cup), 17 oz (4 cup), 34 oz (8 cup) and 51 oz (12 cup). In mug terms: the 3 cup press makes one 12 oz mug, the 8 cup Chambord makes two 12 oz mugs with a little left in the pot, and the 12 cup makes four. The 4 oz cup is the number that trips people up, and it is printed in Bodum's own product copy: "All of our coffee and tea makers are measured in European cup sizes: 1 Cup = about 4oz."
The four sizes, in real mugs
| Bodum size | Capacity | Chambord (bodum.com, Sept 2026) | Brazil (plastic frame) | What it fills |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 cup | 12 oz (about 0.35 L) | 1923-16US4, $38.49 | 1543-01US, $27.49 | One 12 oz mug |
| 4 cup | 17 oz (about 0.5 L) | 1924-16US4, $49.49 | Not listed on the US site | One 16 oz mug |
| 8 cup | 34 oz (about 1 L) | 1928-16US4, $54.99 | 1548-01US, $27.49 | Two 12 oz mugs, plus what the grounds soak up |
| 12 cup | 51 oz (about 1.5 L) | 1932-16US4, $65.99 | 1552-01US, $38.49 | Four 12 oz mugs |
Capacities and prices are from Bodum's US product listings for the Chambord and French press range, read on September 7, 2026. The liter figures are conversions, not Bodum's labels. The Caffettiera (1918-01, $29.99) and Java (1908-01, $27.49) come in the 34 oz size only on the US site.
One thing the capacity does not tell you: the rated volume is water in, not coffee out. Wet grounds hold on to some of the water, and Bodum's own instructions say to leave a minimum of 1 inch at the top of the carafe, so an 8 cup press yields a bit under 34 oz of drinkable coffee. That is why "two mugs plus a splash" is the honest description, not "nearly three."
Which size to buy
One person, one mug: the 3 cup press. It brews exactly one 12 oz mug, so you are never guessing at a half-batch dose in a bigger pot. One person who drinks two mugs, or two people with one each: the 8 cup, which is the size Bodum lists in the most finishes. The 4 cup only makes sense if your daily mug is 16 oz. The 12 cup is for households that pour three or four mugs at once; filled halfway it works, but you are paying for volume you rarely use.
Dosing each size the Bodum way
Bodum's instructions on the Chambord page give the rule in scoops: one rounded teaspoon or one Bodum scoop of coarsely ground coffee for each cup (4 oz) of water, water at about 92 to 96 C (roughly 198 to 205 F), stir, lid on with the spout closed, four minutes, then plunge slowly.
| Size | Water (to the rated line, before the 1 inch gap) | Bodum scoops |
|---|---|---|
| 3 cup, 12 oz | 12 oz | 3 |
| 4 cup, 17 oz | 17 oz | 4 |
| 8 cup, 34 oz | 34 oz | 8 |
| 12 cup, 51 oz | 51 oz | 12 |
Scoops are a starting point. If you weigh your coffee, the French press ratio guide converts each of these sizes to grams so you can dial in strength instead of guessing by the spoon.
Replacement glass by size
Bodum's US site lists a spare borosilicate beaker for every size: 1503-10 for 12 oz ($9.99), 1504-10 for 17 oz ($9.99), 1508-10 for 34 oz ($14.99) and 1512-10 for 51 oz ($19.99). Bodum says the beakers fit its French press makers, so a cracked carafe is a $10 to $20 fix rather than a new press; match the oz size of your pot and check the fit note on the beaker page for your model. Our French press replacement parts page covers plungers and filter screens as well.
If you are buying new, compare current pricing here: Bodum Chambord French press on Amazon.
Related reading
Sources
Bodum: Chambord French press (product page and brewing instructions)
Bodum: Spare beaker (includes the 1 cup = about 4 oz note)
Bodum: French press range, US pricing and capacities
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