Grind size chart
Which grind for which brewer, from Turkish to cold brew.
French Press Ratio Calculator
French press is immersion brewing, so ratio and steep time carry the extraction. Get both right here.
Dose → water
Coffee
g
Ratio (1 : X)
1 : 15.0
Water needed
0 g
Coffee-
Water-
Cups (250 ml)-
GrindCoarse (rock salt)
Water temp94 °C
Brew time4:00
Pour all the water, stir once, cap with the plunger up, wait 4 minutes, then press slowly.
Immersion changes the maths
In a French press the coffee sits in the water the whole time, so extraction depends on time and temperature more than on pour technique. That makes the ratio easier to nail and the grind far less forgiving: coarse and even, or the cup turns muddy.
1:15 is the common ground between body and clarity. 1:12 gives the thick, heavy cup people associate with French press; 1:17 is closer to filter coffee but loses the texture that makes the brewer worth owning.
French press ratios by taste
| Method | Ratio | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Strong, heavy | 1:12 – 1:13 | Heavy body, cocoa and molasses. Best with dark roasts and milk. |
| Standard | 1:15 | The reference point: 30 g coffee to 450 g water, 4:00 steep. |
| Lighter, cleaner | 1:16 – 1:17 | Closer to filter coffee. Needs a very consistent coarse grind. |
| Single mug | 1:15 at 20 g | 300 g water. 4:00 steep, press slowly. |
| Cold brew in a press | 1:8 for 14 h | Concentrate; dilute 1:1 before drinking. |
A French press schedule that works
For 30 g coffee at 1:15 (450 g water), 94 °C:
- Preheat the carafe with hot water and pour it out. A cold carafe drops the brew below 90 °C within a minute.
- Add 30 g coarse coffee and pour all 450 g of water in one go, wetting every ground.
- Stir once, gently. Place the lid on with the plunger raised and start a 4:00 timer.
- At 4:00, skim the crust of floating grounds with a spoon for a cleaner cup. This is the biggest single upgrade to French press flavour.
- Press slowly and pour immediately. Coffee left sitting on the grounds keeps extracting — decant it into a second vessel if you are not drinking it right away.
Frequently asked
What is the best French press ratio?
1:15 by weight — 30 g of coffee to 450 g of water with a 4-minute steep. Go to 1:12 for a heavier, syrupy cup or 1:17 for something closer to filter coffee.
How long should French press steep?
4 minutes at 94 °C with a standard coarse grind. Under 3 minutes is usually sour; past 6 starts pulling harsh, woody notes. For a longer steep, use cooler water rather than extending the time.
Why is my French press muddy?
The grind is too fine, or the plunge is too hard. Coarsen until the grounds feel like rock salt, pour the water gently, and press at about one second per centimetre.
Should I stir a French press?
Stir once, right after pouring the water, to make sure every ground is wet. After that, leave it alone — stirring during the steep breaks up fines and pushes them through the mesh.
Coffee ratio chart
Nine brew methods, dose and water in grams. Printable.
Basket size chart
Correct dose for every espresso basket size.
Want a stronger, shorter brew?
The espresso ratio calculator gives dose, yield and shot time in grams.