If you’re new to making coffee at home, one of the first questions you’ll have is how many tbsp of ground coffee per cup you should use. Getting this ratio right is the single most important step for a great tasting brew every single time.
This guide will give you the simple answers, along with the details you need to adjust for your own taste. We’ll cover everything from standard measures to the tools that make it easy.
How Many Tbsp Of Ground Coffee Per Cup
The most common starting point is 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water. This makes one standard “cup” in coffee maker terms. For a full 8-ounce measuring cup, you’d use about 2 ½ tablespoons.
But this is just a baseline. The perfect amount depends on your coffee maker, the type of roast, and how strong you like your morning cup.
The Golden Ratio: A Starting Point for Every Brew
Professional baristas use a weight-based ratio for precision. For the rest of us, tablespoons work just fine. Here’s the basic breakdown:
- For a 6-ounce cup: Use 2 level tablespoons of ground coffee.
- For an 8-ounce cup: Use 2 ½ level tablespoons of ground coffee.
- For a 12-ounce travel mug: Use 4 level tablespoons of ground coffee.
If your coffee tastes weak or bitter, you can adjust from here. A weak, sour taste often means you need more coffee. A bitter, harsh taste can mean you’ve used to much or your grind is too fine.
Why Your “Cup” Size Matters
This is where confusion starts. In cooking, a “cup” is 8 fluid ounces. But most automatic drip coffee makers define a “cup” as 5 to 6 ounces. Check your machine’s manual.
If it says it makes “12 cups,” it likely means 12 six-ounce servings, not 12 full mugs. Always measure your water using the markings on your coffee pot or a seperate measuring cup for best results.
Using a Standard 8-Ounce Measuring Cup
If you’re using a French press, pour-over, or just prefer to measure your water, use the 8-ounce standard. For one 8-ounce cup of water, start with 2 ½ tablespoons of coffee. This will give you a balanced and flavorful brew.
Following Your Drip Coffee Maker’s Guide
Most machines have a 6-ounce cup setting. Stick to the 2 tablespoons per cup rule. For a full pot (say, 10 “cups” or 60 oz of water), you’d need 20 tablespoons, or 1 ¼ cups of ground coffee.
The Scoop vs. Tablespoon Debate
Many bags of coffee include a plastic scoop. These are not standard! A typical coffee scoop holds about 2 tablespoons, but it can vary. For consistency, use an actual measuring tablespoon from your kitchen drawer.
A level tablespoon is your best friend. Heaping tablespoons add to much coffee and can make your brew overly strong and waste beans. Aim for a flat measure across the top.
How Coffee Grind Size Changes the Equation
The size of your coffee grounds has a huge impact on flavor and strength. Different brewing methods need different grinds.
- Fine Grind (like table salt): Used for espresso. Because it’s so fine, you use less volume. For a single espresso shot, use about 1 tablespoon of fine grounds.
- Medium Grind (like sand): The standard for drip coffee makers. This is where the 2 tbsp per cup rule applies best.
- Coarse Grind (like sea salt): Used for French press and cold brew. The larger pieces take up more space, so a tablespoon holds slightly less coffee by weight. You might need an extra half tablespoon per cup for desired strength.
Step-by-Step: Measuring for Different Brew Methods
Let’s get practical. Here is how to measure for popular brewing styles.
1. For Automatic Drip Machines
- Check if your machine uses 6-oz or 8-oz cups.
- For each 6-oz cup, add 2 tbsp medium-ground coffee to the filter.
- Pour the corresponding amount of cold water into the reservoir.
- Brew and taste. Adjust next time if needed.
2. For French Press
- Use a coarse grind. Fine grounds will slip through the filter and make muddy coffee.
- For every 4 ounces of water, use 1 heaping tablespoon of coffee (or 2 level tbsp per 8 oz).
- After adding hot water, stir gently, place the lid on, and let it steep for 4 minutes.
- Press slowly and pour all the coffee out to avoid over-extraction.
3. For Pour-Over (like Hario V60 or Chemex)
- Use a medium-fine grind.
- The standard ratio is 2 tbsp of coffee for every 6 ounces of water.
- Start by pouring just enough water to wet all the grounds (this is called the “bloom”). Wait 30 seconds.
- Slowly pour the remaining water in circular motions.
4. For Cold Brew Concentrate
- Use a coarse grind. This is crucial for a smooth flavor.
- Use a much higher coffee-to-water ratio because you’ll dilute it later. Try 1 cup of coarse grounds (about 16 tbsp) for 4 cups of cold water.
- Steep in the fridge for 12-24 hours.
- Strain and dilute the concentrate with water or milk when serving, usually at a 1:1 ratio.
Adjusting for Your Personal Taste
The “perfect” cup is the one you enjoy most. Use the standard ratios as your starting line.
- For Stronger Coffee: Add an extra ½ tablespoon per cup. Or, use less water with the same amount of coffee.
- For Weaker Coffee: Use 1 ½ tablespoons per 6-ounce cup instead of 2.
- If it’s Bitter: You might be using too much coffee or your water is too hot. Try slightly less coffee next time.
- If it’s Sour or Thin: You likely need more coffee grounds. Increase by ½ tablespoon per cup.
Write down your adjustments so you can remember what worked. It only takes a few tries to find your sweet spot.
The Case for Using a Kitchen Scale
For true consistency, a small digital scale is the best tool. Coffee geeks measure in grams because the volume of a tablespoon can change with the grind and roast.
The specialty coffee association recommends a ratio of 55 grams of coffee per 1 liter of water (about 3.6 oz per 34 oz). In simpler terms, that’s roughly 10 grams of coffee for every 6-ounce cup.
Two level tablespoons of a medium grind usually weighs about 10 grams. But a dark roast is less dense, so 2 tbsp might only be 8 grams. A scale removes all the guesswork.
How Coffee Roast Affects Your Measure
Dark roast beans are less dense than light roast beans due to longer roasting times. This means a tablespoon of dark roast will weigh less than a tablespoon of light roast.
If you use only volume (tablespoons), you might need a little more dark roast to achieve the same strength as a light roast. If you find your dark roast coffee tasting a bit weak, try adding that extra half tablespoon we talked about earlier.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using Heaping Tablespoons: This is the most common error. It leads to inconsistent strength and wasted coffee.
- Ignoring Grind Size: Using a fine grind in a French press or a coarse grind in a drip machine will give poor results, no matter how many tablespoons you use.
- Guessing Water Amounts: Always measure your water. Just filling the reservoir to the top without knowing how many cups it holds makes it impossible to get the ratio right.
- Using Old or Stale Coffee: Fresh grounds make a massive difference. Try to buy whole beans and grind them just before brewing for the best flavor.
FAQs: Your Coffee Measuring Questions Answered
How many tablespoons of coffee for 4 cups?
It depends on your cup size. For a coffee maker (6-oz cups), use 8 tablespoons for 4 cups. For 4 true 8-ounce cups, use 10 tablespoons.
Is a coffee scoop the same as a tablespoon?
Not always. A standard coffee scoop is designed to hold 2 tablespoons, but it’s best to check. Use a measuring spoon for accuracy, especially when you’re first figuring out your preference.
How much ground coffee per cup for a strong brew?
Start with 2 ½ tablespoons per 6-ounce cup. If that’s not strong enough, you can go up to 3 tablespoons. Remember, using to much can lead to bitterness, so adjust slowly.
Does the type of coffee bean matter for the amount?
The roast level matters more than the bean type. Darker roasts are less dense, so you might need a bit more by volume compared to a light roast to get the same strength.
How many tbsp of coffee for 12 cups?
For a standard drip maker (6-oz cups), 12 cups requires 24 tablespoons of ground coffee. That’s equal to 1 ½ cups of coffee grounds.
Can I use the same amount for decaf?
Yes, absolutely. Use the same tablespoon-per-cup ratio for decaffeinated coffee. The brewing process is exactly the same, only the caffeine content is different.
Putting It All Into Practice
Start with the basic rule: 2 tablespoons of medium-ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water. Make a pot using this ratio. Taste it. Then, tweak it based on whether you want it stronger or milder.
Invest in a simple set of measuring spoons and maybe a small scale if you get serious. Pay attention to your grind size and always use fresh, clean water. Good coffee is easy once you know the basics, and it all begins with knowing how many tablespoons to use.