Right, mug sizes. They sound straightforward until you go to buy one and you have no idea whether 11oz is too small or 15oz is overkill.
I’ll give you the cheat sheet I use myself.
The everyday 11oz (325ml)
This is what your nan probably has. Holds a single shot of coffee with milk, or a regular cup of tea. Good if you’ve got cupboard space worries or you don’t drink a lot at once. The catch: if you make a flat white at home, you’ll usually run out before you’re properly awake.
The proper morning 15oz (450ml)
My pick. Big enough that the milk has somewhere to go, small enough that you finish the coffee while it’s still hot. Works for a long black, a flat white, an oversized tea, or a hot chocolate that won’t insult you. If you only buy one, buy this one.
The 17oz Latte (500ml)
A latte mug is wider at the top, shorter at the base, and holds enough for a serious latte. Or a hot chocolate big enough to share. Or pretend to share. I usually keep one of these for weekends.
The 12oz Enamel
Different beast. Enamel is steel coated in glass, so it’s basically unbreakable, holds heat reasonably well, and looks at home next to a campfire. If you’re the type that takes coffee to the garden, the campsite, or the back of a ute, this is your mug.
If you’re more into actually growing what’s in your mug than carrying it around, my Australian garden planner has a “what to plant this week” tool that pairs nicely with a strong cuppa. Mug not included.
The 15oz Travel
Stainless steel, double walled, lid on top. Keeps coffee hot for hours, doesn’t shatter when you put it down too hard, and fits most cup holders. The mug for the long drive or the school run.
My take
If you’re buying for yourself, get the 15oz. If you’re buying for someone else, the 11oz is the safer choice (everyone owns mugs, but they always have room for another small one). And if you’re buying for a coffee fanatic, the 17oz Latte will earn you a hug.
Have a look at the Lock The Gate range if you want to see all five sizes side by side. Same design, different cups, all of them with a cow on them.