Finding the perfect amount of coffee for your french press is the first step to a great cup. The question of how many grams of coffee for french press is common, and the answer balances strength and flavor.
Using the right coffee-to-water ratio makes all the difference. Too little coffee and your brew will taste weak and watery. Too much and it can become unpleasantly bitter and overpowering. This guide will give you the clear measurements and methods you need, every time.
We’ll cover the standard ratios, how to adjust for your taste, and the simple tools that help. Let’s get started.
How Many Grams Of Coffee For French Press
The most recommended starting point for a french press is a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio. This means for every 1 gram of coffee, you use 15 grams of water. It’s a standard that works well for most people and most coffee beans.
From this ratio, you can easily calculate the grams needed for any size press. Here’s a quick reference table for common french press sizes:
- 1 Cup (8 oz / 240 ml): 16 grams of coffee
- 3 Cup (12 oz / 350 ml): 23 grams of coffee
- 4 Cup (17 oz / 500 ml): 33 grams of coffee
- 8 Cup (34 oz / 1 L): 67 grams of coffee
Remember, these are starting points. Your ideal amount might be slightly more or less based on your personal preference and the specific coffee your using.
Why Grams Are Better Than Tablespoons
You might be tempted to use a tablespoon to measure your coffee. For consistency, a kitchen scale is a much better tool. Here’s why:
- Accuracy: Coffee beans have different densities. A light, fluffy light roast will take up more space in a tablespoon than a dense dark roast. By weight, they are very different.
- Consistency: A scale gives you the exact same amount every single time. This is the key to making your perfect cup repeatably.
- Ease: Once you have a scale, calculating is simple. Just tare your press on the scale, add your grams of coffee, then tare again and add the correct grams of water.
If you must use tablespoons, a rough estimate is that 2 tablespoons of whole bean coffee is about 10-12 grams after grinding. But this can vary a lot.
The Golden Ratio and How to Adjust It
The 1:15 ratio is part of the “Golden Ratio” range suggested by the Specialty Coffee Association, which is between 1:15 and 1:18. A lower ratio (like 1:13) means more coffee per water, resulting in a stronger, more intense cup. A higher ratio (like 1:18) means less coffee per water, yielding a lighter, milder brew.
How to adjust for your taste:
- For a stronger brew: Use a ratio of 1:13 or 1:14. (e.g., 38 grams of coffee per 500ml water).
- For a milder brew: Use a ratio of 1:16 or 1:17. (e.g., 30 grams of coffee per 500ml water).
Make one adjustment at a time. Change only the coffee amount or the grind size, not both, so you can understand what effect it has.
Grind Size Matters Just as Much
The amount of coffee you use is directly linked to how coarse you grind it. A french press requires a coarse, even grind, similar to breadcrumbs or coarse sea salt.
If your grind is too fine:
- It will over-extract, tasting bitter.
- Fine grounds can slip through the mesh filter, making your cup sludgy.
- You might feel you need to use less coffee, but the real problem is the grind.
If your grind is too coarse:
- It will under-extract, tasting sour and weak.
- You might think you need to add more grams of coffee, but adjusting the grind finer is the solution.
Investing in a burr grinder gives you control over this. Blade grinders create uneven particles, which lead to uneven extraction.
The Step-by-Step French Press Method
Now that you know how many grams to use, let’s put it all together. Follow these steps for a clean, flavorful result.
- Boil Water: Heat fresh water to just off the boil (about 200°F or 93°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, boil the water and let it sit for 30 seconds.
- Weigh and Grind: Weigh your whole bean coffee. For a standard 500ml (4 cup) press, start with 33 grams. Grind it coarsely.
- Preheat & Add Coffee: Pour a little hot water into the empty press to warm it up, then discard. Add your ground coffee to the bottom of the press.
- Bloom (Optional but Helpful): Start your timer. Pour just enough water (about twice the weight of the coffee) to saturate all the grounds. Stir gently. Let it sit for 30 seconds. This allows gases to escape.
- Pour Remaining Water: Slowly pour the rest of your water, aiming for a total water weight of 500 grams. Gently stir the crust that forms on top.
- Steep: Place the lid on top with the plunger pulled all the way up. Let it steep for 4 minutes.
- Press and Pour: After 4 minutes, press the plunger down slowly and steadily. Do not force it. Pour all the coffee out into your cup or a carafe immediately. Leaving it in the press will cause over-steeping.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the right grams of coffee, small errors can affect your brew.
- Using Boiling Water: Water that is too hot will scald the coffee, creating a burnt, bitter taste. Let it cool slightly.
- Guessing Measurements: Eyeballing leads to inconsistent results. Use that scale.
- Steeping Too Long: Four minutes is standard. Longer steeping times lead to over-extraction and bitterness. If you want stronger coffee, use more grams of coffee, not more time.
- Not Pouring All Coffee Out: After pressing, the coffee continues to extract with the grounds at the bottom. Pour it all out to stop the process.
- Using Pre-Ground Coffee: Pre-ground is usually too fine for a french press and goes stale quickly. Freshly grinding right before brewing is one of the best upgrades you can make.
Choosing Your Coffee Beans
The type of bean you choose also influences how you might adjust your grams. Different roasts and origins have distinct characteristics.
Light Roast vs. Dark Roast
Light roast beans are denser and retain more of their original acidity and complex flavors. Because they are dense, you might find you prefer a slightly higher dose (more grams) or a slightly finer grind to get a good extraction.
Dark roast beans are less dense, more oily, and have bolder, bittersweet flavors. They extract more easily. You might use the standard 1:15 ratio or even go to a 1:16 ratio, as they can become bitter if over-extracted.
Single-Origin vs. Blends
Single-origin coffees (from one region or farm) often have unique, delicate flavor notes. To highlight these, a precise ratio and grind are crucial. Stick close to the 1:15 or 1:16 ratio.
Blends are crafted for balance and consistency. They are often very forgiving and work wonderfully with the standard french press method, making them a great choice for everyday brewing.
Tools to Improve Your French Press Coffee
A few simple tools take the guesswork out of the process.
- Digital Kitchen Scale: The most important tool. Get one that measures in 0.1 or 1-gram increments.
- Burr Grinder: Ensures a consistent, coarse grind. Hand grinders are an affordable entry point.
- Gooseneck Kettle: While not essential, it gives you precise control over your water pour, which helps saturate all grounds evenly.
- Thermometer: Takes the guesswork out of water temperature.
- Timer: Use your phone or a simple kitchen timer for the 4-minute steep.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Press
A clean press makes better coffee. Oils and fine grounds can get stuck in the mesh filter, making future cups taste stale.
After each use, discard the grounds, disassemble the plunger, and wash all parts with warm, soapy water. Rinse the mesh filter thoroughly. Occasionally, soak the filter assembly in a mixture of water and cafiza or a denture tablet to deep clean it.
FAQ: French Press Coffee Ratios
Here are answers to some frequent questions about measuring coffee for a french press.
How many scoops of coffee for a french press?
It’s best to use weight, not scoops. But roughly, one standard coffee scoop holds about 10 grams of ground coffee. So for a 500ml press, you’d need about 3.3 scoops. A scale is more reliable because scoop sizes and coffee density vary.
Can I make just one cup in a large french press?
Yes, but you need to adjust the grams of coffee down proportionally. Use the same ratio. For example, to make one 250ml cup in an 8-cup press, use about 17 grams of coffee. The brew might be slightly less even due to the extra space, but it will work.
Why does my french press coffee taste bitter?
Bitterness is usually a sign of over-extraction. The most common causes are: using too fine a grind, using too many grams of coffee for the water, steeping for too long, or using water that is too hot. Try a coarser grind, a 1:16 ratio, a strict 4-minute steep, and slightly cooler water.
Why does my french press coffee taste weak?
Weak, sour coffee is a sign of under-extraction. Likely causes are: using too coarse a grind, not using enough grams of coffee, or steeping for too little time. Try a slightly finer grind, a 1:14 ratio, and ensure a full 4-minute steep time.
How do I make french press coffee for two?
Simply double the amounts for one cup. For two 8-ounce (240ml) cups, you need about 480ml of water and 32 grams of coffee (using the 1:15 ratio). A 4-cup (500ml) press is perfect for this.
Does the type of water matter?
Yes, water quality matters a lot. If your tap water has a strong taste (like chlorine or minerals), it will affect your coffee. Using filtered or bottled spring water can make a noticeable improvement in the clarity and taste of your brew. Avoid distilled or overly soft water.
Experiment and Find Your Perfect Cup
The guidelines for how many grams of coffee for a french press are your foundation. Start with the standard 1:15 ratio and a 4-minute steep. Write down what you use each time.
If it’s not quite right, adjust one variable. Try 2 grams more coffee next time. Or try a slightly finer grind. Taste the difference. Your perfect cup is the one that tastes best to you. The journey to finding it is part of the fun of using a french press. With a scale, a grinder, and a little patience, you’ll be making exceptional coffee at home every morning.