Getting your coffee dose right is one of the most important steps toward a consistently great cup. Too little and you end up with something thin and watery; too much and the result is harsh and bitter. Once you understand the basic principles, dialling in your grind amount becomes second nature.
The Golden Ratio: Start Here
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) recommends a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:18 — that is, one gram of coffee for every 18 grams of water. For a standard 180 ml (6 oz) cup, this works out to approximately 10 grams of coffee, or roughly two level tablespoons of ground coffee.
That said, the golden ratio is a starting point, not a rule. A 1:15 ratio produces a stronger, bolder cup, while stretching to 1:20 gives something lighter and more delicate. Adjusting to your taste is all part of the process.
Why Weight Beats Volume Every Time
Coffee beans vary significantly in density depending on their variety, origin, and roast level. A tablespoon of a light-roasted single origin will weigh noticeably less than a tablespoon of a dark-roasted blend. This means volume-based measurements like tablespoons and scoops can be inconsistent from one bag to the next.
For true consistency, weigh your beans before you grind them. A good coffee scale removes the guesswork and ensures every brew starts from the same baseline. Accurate dosing is one of the simplest ways to improve your coffee without changing anything else.
How Grind Size Affects Your Dose
Grind size and dose are closely linked. Finer grinds expose more surface area to the water, which means extraction happens faster — and more intensely. Coarser grinds do the opposite: they slow extraction down, producing a gentler, less concentrated result.
This is why different brew methods call for different grind sizes:
- Espresso — very fine grind, 7–9 g for a single shot, 14–18 g for a double
- AeroPress — medium-fine, around 14–16 g depending on recipe
- Pour over (V60, Chemex) — medium grind, 15–17 g per 250 ml
- French Press — coarse grind, 15–17 g per 250 ml
- Cafetière / Cold Brew — coarsest grind, 80–100 g per litre for cold brew
If you're brewing with a V60 or AeroPress, using a consistent grind size is just as important as measuring the right dose.
Choosing the Right Grinder
The quality of your grind directly affects the quality of your cup. Blade grinders chop beans unevenly, creating a mix of fine powder and coarse chunks that brews inconsistently. A burr grinder — whether flat or conical — produces uniform particles that extract evenly and cleanly.
Our range of coffee grinders covers everything from entry-level hand grinders to high-spec electric models with built-in scales. If you want to take the guesswork out of dosing completely, grinders with integrated weighing technology — such as those from Baratza — measure your dose automatically and adjust for bean density and grind size.
Quick Reference: How Much Coffee Per Cup
Using a 1:17 ratio as a practical middle ground:
- 1 cup (250 ml) — 15 g coffee
- 2 cups (500 ml) — 30 g coffee
- 4 cups (1 litre) — 60 g coffee
- 8 cups (2 litres) — 120 g coffee
These figures work well for filter and pour over brewing. For espresso, refer to your machine's recommended dose and adjust from there.
Tips for Getting It Right Consistently
Grind fresh. Ground coffee starts losing aroma within minutes of being milled. Whole beans stay fresh far longer. Grind only what you need for each brew.
Store your beans properly. Keep them in an airtight container, away from heat, light, and moisture. Our coffee storage range includes canisters and vaults designed specifically for this.
Weigh before you grind. Place your beans on the scale, zero it out, and add beans until you hit your target. Then grind and brew immediately.
Note your results. Different beans — even at the same dose — will taste different. Keep a note of what works with each variety so you can repeat it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much coffee should I use for one cup?
For a standard 250 ml cup, aim for approximately 15 grams of whole beans weighed before grinding. This is based on a 1:17 coffee-to-water ratio, which tends to produce a well-balanced, medium-strength brew. If you prefer a stronger cup, move toward 1:15 (around 17 g); for something lighter, try 1:18 or 1:19.
Is it better to measure coffee by weight or volume?
Weight is always more accurate. Coffee beans vary in density depending on their variety and roast level, which means a tablespoon of one coffee can weigh significantly more or less than a tablespoon of another. Weighing your beans on a coffee scale ensures consistency from brew to brew, regardless of which beans you're using.
Does grind size affect how much coffee I should use?
Yes. Finer grinds extract more quickly and intensely, so you may need slightly less coffee to achieve the same strength. Coarser grinds extract more slowly, so you may need a little more. If you change your grind setting, taste your brew and adjust your dose accordingly rather than sticking rigidly to a fixed amount.
What is the golden ratio for coffee?
The golden ratio recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association is 1:18 — one gram of coffee to every 18 grams (or millilitres) of water. In practice, most home brewers find a ratio of 1:15 to 1:17 better suits their taste, particularly if they prefer a fuller-bodied cup. The golden ratio is best treated as a starting point to dial in from, rather than a fixed target.
How many tablespoons of coffee should I use per cup?
As a rough guide, two level tablespoons of ground coffee per 180–200 ml of water is a commonly cited starting point. However, because tablespoons measure volume rather than weight, the actual amount of coffee in those two tablespoons will vary depending on your grind size and bean density. For precision, we recommend using a scale rather than tablespoons as your primary measurement tool.
