How Much Kratom to Take? Kratom Serving Size Guide

Not every person’s ideal kratom serving size is the same. So how much kratom should you take to get the effects you’re looking for?

Let’s go over what “one serving” of a kratom product is; how you can get different effects from small, medium, and large amounts of kratom; factors other than serving size that contribute to kratom’s effects; and tips for getting started if you’re new to kratom.

1. Why serving size matters
2. Small vs. Medium vs. Large amounts
3. Other factors to consider
4. Tips for kratom newbies

Why Kratom Serving Size Matters

It’s probably not a surprise that you should be careful when choosing how much kratom you consume—the same way you’d think carefully about how much coffee, multivitamins, or alcoholic drinks you have.

Serving size plays a major role in how kratom makes you feel. Smaller amounts tend to be more energizing. Larger amounts tend to be more relaxing. Too much can make you feel nauseous and dizzy—and too little might not make you feel anything at all.

Aren’t effects mainly related to the strain and vein color?

A common myth about kratom is that you get different effects from different strains—but this isn’t really true.

Each kratom company has a different method for choosing the strain name of a batch of kratom leaf. Some choose the name based on the alkaloid levels, but many just choose strain names at random based on what they think will sell.

Oftentimes, the way a strain is marketed can influence how it makes you feel. When you take all of that away, it’s the amount of kratom alkaloids you consume that makes the biggest difference in effects.

Related: Learn more about common kratom strain myths and how to choose the best strain based on fact, not fiction.

The Strength of “One Serving” Isn’t the Same for All Brands and Formulations

Kratom products are made from the leaves of kratom trees. Just like how different batches of coffee beans will have different amounts of caffeine, different batches of kratom will have different amounts of alkaloids, like mitragynine. Plus, some companies will extract alkaloids from the leaves to use in high-strength shots or drinks—kind of like 5-Hour Energy or Celsius.

That means a “single serving” of one kratom product can be much stronger than a single serving of a different product. Here are a few examples:

• One serving of Top Tree tea = 3 grams of kratom leaf. A cup of steeped tea contains 25-45mg of total alkaloids.
• One serving of Top Tree capsules = 2 grams, but some companies say one serving of powder = up to 5 grams. 1 gram of powder contains around 15-25mg of total alkaloids.
• Some companies make kratom extracts that contain over 100mg of kratom alkaloids per teaspoon

What does this mean when you’re deciding how much kratom to take?

It’s not always best to consume the amount that a company recommends is “one serving.” Instead, look at the product’s alkaloid content—if it’s higher than what you’re used to, then you might want to consume less than the recommended serving size.

Related: How strong is kratom extract compared to kratom powder or kratom tea?

Small vs. Medium vs. Large Amounts of Kratom

These are common meanings of “small,” “medium,” and “large” amounts of kratom, and the effects these amounts typically have. These are just suggestions—your own experience may differ.

Small amount of kratom:

• Amount: for most people, a small amount is around 10-50mg of kratom alkaloids. You’ll usually find that amount of alkaloids in:
  • 0.5-3 grams of kratom powder
  • 1-2 cups of kratom tea (3-6 grams of steeped crushed leaf)
  • **For extracts, strength varies greatly, so there isn’t a standard weight/volume**
• Effects: smaller amounts of kratom are typically great for:
  • Energy (coffee or black tea alternative)
  • Motivation & focus
  • Socializing
  • Support for a positive mood

Medium amount of kratom:

• Amount: for most people, a medium amount is around 30-80mg of kratom alkaloids. You’ll usually find that amount of alkaloids in:
  • 2-7 grams of kratom powder
  • 2-3 cups of kratom tea (6-9 grams of crushed leaf)
  • **For extracts, strength varies greatly, so there isn’t a standard weight/volume**
• Effects: moderate amounts of kratom are typically great for:
  • Support for a positive mood
  • Managing post-workout soreness
  • Socializing
  • Calm focus

Large amount of kratom:

• Amount: for most people, a large amount is around 60-120mg of kratom alkaloids. You’ll usually find that amount of alkaloids in:
  • 5-10 grams of kratom powder
  • 3-4 cups of kratom tea (9-12 grams of crushed leaf)
  • **For extracts, strength varies greatly, so there isn’t a standard weight/volume**
• Effects: larger amounts of kratom are typically great for:
  • Relaxation & coziness
  • Bodily comfort
  • Socializing
  • Rest (some people like to have kratom before bed, but others have difficulty falling asleep right after consuming kratom)

What Else Should You Consider?

In addition to the amount of kratom you consume, there are a few other factors to consider when determining how much kratom to take.

• Context: The same amount of kratom can affect you differently in different circumstances. Keep variables like these in mind when trying kratom:
  • Have a full or empty stomach?
  • About to do some high-intensity exercise, or sit down at your desk?
  • Are you hydrated?
  • Anything else in your system that might interact with kratom?
  • Do you have a health condition?
• Formulation: Different kratom product types have different effects, and different onset times. Here are some examples:
  • Drinking kratom tea will usually have a faster onset than consuming kratom powder.
  • One 3-gram tea bag is typically more gentle than 3 grams of powder, but you can still make a strong cup of tea by following the brewing instructions.
  • Extracts that contain a single alkaloid (like mitragynine) will have different effects than crushed-leaf tea or powder, which have a more complex spectrum of alkaloids.
• Experience level: Kratom is similar to coffee. If you have it all the time, a few servings probably won’t feel over the top. But if it was your first time ever drinking coffee, and you had multiple servings in a short time, you’d probably feel pretty sick. If you’re new to kratom, having too much typically leads to an upset stomach and dizziness. This is often called “the wobbles.”

New to Kratom? Tips for Your First Time

Our team has done a lot of trial and error with kratom of all types. Not all of our first experiences with kratom were perfect—but that means we’ve got recommendations to help you avoid the mistakes we made! Here are our tips:

1. We recommend starting with a maximum of around 30mg total alkaloids.
   • ½ of an 8oz cup of tea (made with one tea bag, steeped for ~20 min)
   • 1 gram of powder (2 x 0.5g capsules)
2. Make sure you’re hydrated.
3. Have a small snack about 30 minutes beforehand.
4. Try kratom for the first time in a comfy place, when you don’t have anything important to do for a few hours.
5. Wait 30-60 minutes before trying more.

Final Note on Serving Sizes and Safety

Here’s a recap of the important things you should keep in mind when deciding how much kratom to take:

• Small to medium amounts of kratom are generally safe for most people. Use caution when trying larger amounts.
• If you’re new to kratom, start with a small amount.
• The strength of “one serving” isn’t the same for all products. If you’ve been taking kratom for a while, keep in mind that your ideal amount might be different when you try out new brands and formulations.
• Always consult a doctor before adding a new supplement to your routine—especially if you have a health condition or are taking any medications.

If you still have questions about how much kratom to take, you can always contact the Top Tree team to get advice.

Ready to learn how to make a strong mug of kratom tea? Check out our brewing guides.