If you own a Moccamaster, the filter paper is the one part of your brew you replace every single day. It is also the part most people think about least. The right Moccamaster No.4 filter papers keep the brew basket draining at the pace the machine was designed for, hold back fine sediment, and let the clean, bright character of a good filter coffee come through. This guide explains which Moccamaster filter papers fit which machine, what to look for when you buy, and how to get the best from every pack.
Short answer: most Moccamaster coffee machines, including the KBG Select and KBGT, use Moccamaster No.4 coffee filter papers. The Cup-One uses smaller No.1 filter papers, and the large 1.8-litre Grand models use 110mm flat-bottomed basket filters.
What are Moccamaster No.4 filter papers?
Moccamaster No.4 filter papers are cone-shaped paper coffee filters made to Technivorm's specification for its 1 to 1.25-litre Moccamaster filter coffee machines. Each pack contains 100 filters. The papers are white, but they are whitened with an oxygen-based process rather than chlorine bleach, and the seams are bonded without glue.
The "No.4" is a size code, not a cup count. It describes the shape and dimensions of the cone. A size 4 filter (sometimes written as #4 or 1x4) is the standard cone for brewers that make roughly 8 to 12 cups, which is why it suits the full-size Moccamaster so well.
Which Moccamaster uses No.4 filter papers?
According to Moccamaster, its No.4 filter paper suits machines with a glass or thermal jug of 1 to 1.25 litres. That covers almost every Moccamaster most UK households own. Here is a quick reference you can save or bookmark.
| Moccamaster model | Filter paper size |
|---|---|
| KBG Select (1.25L glass jug, all colours) | No.4 |
| KBGV Select (the North American name for the KBG Select) | No.4 |
| KBGT and KBGT 741 (1.25L thermal jug) | No.4 |
| KBG 741 and KBG 744 (glass jug) | No.4 |
| KB / KB 741 (Classic, glass jug) | No.4 |
| KBT and KBT 741 (thermal jug) | No.4 |
| CDGT (1.25L thermal jug) | No.4 |
| Cup-One single-cup brewer | No.1 (not No.4) |
| CD Grand, CDT Grand and Thermoserve (1.8L) | 110mm flat-bottom basket filter (not No.4) |
Not sure which model you have? The model name is printed on the rating label underneath the machine. If your brew basket is cone-shaped and your jug holds 1 to 1.25 litres, No.4 is almost certainly the right filter. If your machine has a wide, flat-bottomed basket, it needs basket filters instead.
Other coffee machines that use size 4 filter papers
Because No.4 is a widely used cone size, Moccamaster No.4 filter papers also fit many other brewers designed for size 4 (1x4) cone filters. These include:
- Wilfa Classic+ and Wilfa Precision filter coffee makers, which Wilfa UK pairs with size 4 filter papers
- Sage Precision Brewer, when used with its cone-shaped brew basket
- Melitta 1x4 pour-over cones and other size 4 manual drippers
- Clever Dripper (large) immersion brewer
- Most 8 to 12-cup drip coffee machines with a cone-shaped filter basket, including many models from mainstream kitchen brands
A gentle word of caution: machines of a similar size do not always share a filter shape. Some 8 to 12-cup brewers use flat-bottomed basket filters instead of cones. Before you buy, check your machine's manual or look at the basket. If it narrows to a point or a short flat edge at the bottom, a size 4 cone is the right choice.
Why the right filter paper matters
It controls how fast your coffee brews
A Moccamaster is engineered to deliver water at a steady 92 to 96°C and finish a full jug in about six minutes. The filter paper is part of that system. A paper that is too thick, too thin or the wrong shape can slow the drain and over-extract the coffee, or let water rush through and leave it weak. Papers made to the machine's own specification help the brew basket behave as intended.
It shapes the taste in your cup
Paper filters hold back fine coffee particles and much of the coffee's oils. The result is the clean, clear, bright cup that filter coffee lovers enjoy, especially with lighter roasts and fruity single origins.
It protects your machine and your morning
A filter that fits properly sits snugly in the basket, so grounds stay where they belong and the drip-stop works as it should. An ill-fitting filter can fold over, let grounds into the jug or cause the basket to overflow.
What to look for when buying Moccamaster filter papers
- The correct size. No.4 for KBG Select, KBGT and other 1 to 1.25-litre machines. No.1 for the Cup-One. 110mm basket filters for the Grand.
- White or brown. White, oxygen-whitened papers are generally thought to impart less papery taste than unbleached brown papers. Moccamaster's own No.4 papers are white and oxygen-whitened, not chlorine-bleached.
- Construction. Look for a sturdy, well-crimped seam so the cone holds its shape when it is full of wet grounds. Moccamaster's papers are bonded without glue.
- Value per brew. At £4.50 for 100 papers, Moccamaster No.4 filters cost about 4.5p per pot. Buying two or three packs at once means you are less likely to run out mid-week.
- Disposal. Paper filters with spent grounds can usually go in your food or garden waste bin, or onto a home compost heap. Check your local council's guidance.
How to use Moccamaster No.4 filter papers for the best brew
- Fold the seams. Fold the crimped bottom edge and then the side seam in opposite directions. This helps the paper sit flush against the cone so water flows evenly.
- Seat it fully. Push the paper down so it sits snugly against the basket walls with no gaps.
- Rinse if you like. Pouring a little hot water through the empty paper before adding coffee is a popular habit to warm the basket and wash away any faint paper taste. Empty the jug before you brew.
- Use the right grind and dose. A medium grind suits most Moccamaster brews. A common starting point is around 60g of coffee per litre of water, adjusted to taste.
- Level the bed. Give the basket a gentle shake so the grounds sit flat. This helps water pass through evenly.
- Use a fresh paper every time. Paper filters are single-use. Lift the paper out once it has finished dripping and has cooled slightly.
Own a Cup-One? You need No.1 filters
The Moccamaster Cup-One brews a single cup and uses a much smaller cone. No.4 papers will not fit it. Choose Moccamaster No.1 coffee filter papers instead, which come in packs of 80.
Frequently asked questions
What size filter does a Moccamaster KBG Select take?
The KBG Select uses Moccamaster No.4 cone filter papers.
Do Moccamaster No.4 filters fit the KBGT?
Yes. The KBGT, including the KBGT 741 with its thermal jug, uses No.4 filter papers.
Can I use No.4 filters in a Moccamaster Cup-One?
No. The Cup-One needs the smaller No.1 filter papers.
Will any size 4 filter work in my Moccamaster?
Most size 4 cone filters will physically fit. Paper thickness and quality vary between brands, though, and that can change how quickly the basket drains. Filters made to Moccamaster's specification are the simplest way to keep brew time and taste consistent.
Are Moccamaster filter papers bleached?
Moccamaster's white No.4 papers are whitened with an environmentally friendlier oxygen-based process, not chlorine.
How many filters are in a pack?
Each pack of Moccamaster No.4 filter papers contains 100 filters. The No.1 Cup-One papers come in packs of 80.
Keep your Moccamaster brewing beautifully
A Moccamaster is built to last for many years. Keeping it supplied with the right filter papers is one of the simplest ways to protect the clean, consistent coffee it was made for. Shop Moccamaster No.4 coffee filter papers (100 pack), or explore the Moccamaster KBG Select and Moccamaster KBGT if you are choosing your first machine.
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