How much coffee per cup? A simple guide to getting the amount right
For filter or cafetière coffee, start with about 60g of ground coffee for every litre of water. That works out at roughly 15g for a 250ml mug. If you do not have scales, use the amount as a guide, then adjust the next cup to taste.
There is no single amount that suits every mug. A small cup might hold 180ml, while a large mug can take 350ml or more. Measure the water you plan to brew with, rather than guessing from the word ‘cup’, and use the figures below as a starting point.
How much ground coffee should I use?
For filter coffee or a cafetière, a simple starting ratio is 60g of ground coffee to 1 litre of water. In other words, use about 1g of coffee for every 17ml of water. The Specialty Coffee Association describes 60g per litre as a commonly used brewing ratio for drip and immersion coffee. Treat it as a starting point: your preferred amount may be a little higher or lower.
- 180ml water: about 11g coffee
- 250ml water: about 15g coffee
- 300ml water: about 18g coffee
- 350ml water: about 21g coffee
These are rounded amounts, so you do not need to chase a fraction of a gram. If your brewer holds more than one mug, multiply the water volume and coffee amount together. For example, 500ml of water takes about 30g of coffee at this ratio.
The ratio describes the water going into the brewer. Some of that water stays in the grounds, so the amount of coffee in your mug will be a little lower than the amount of water you started with.
What does a coffee-to-water ratio mean?
A coffee-to-water ratio compares the weight of the ground coffee with the amount of brewing water. The 60g-to-1-litre starting point is often written as roughly 1:17: one part coffee to about 17 parts water by weight.
You can use the same idea for any mug size. Weigh the water in grams, or treat 1ml of water as approximately 1g for this kitchen calculation, then use about 6g of coffee for each 100ml of water. A scale makes this easier, especially when you are making more than one cup.
Does the amount change for a cafetière or filter coffee?
The same 60g-per-litre starting ratio works for either method. Measure the water you will use and scale the ground coffee to match. Your grind should still suit the brewer: cafetière coffee is usually ground more coarsely than coffee for a paper filter. If the grind is too fine or too coarse for the method, changing the dose alone may not give you the cup you want.
For a cafetière, use the water volume marked on the pot or measure what you pour in. For a filter brewer, check the water reservoir or measure the water before adding it. A machine’s ‘cup’ marking may be smaller than your mug, so the water line is more useful than the number of cups on the front.
How much coffee should I use if I do not have scales?
Scales give you the most repeatable result, but you can still make a good cup without them. Use the same scoop each time, keep it level, and begin with the brewer or coffee pack’s guidance if it provides one. Then change the amount by a small step on the next brew.
Spoons are less exact than they look. A spoonful can weigh differently depending on the grind, the roast and whether the coffee is packed down. If you find a measure you like, use the same spoon and fill it the same way each time. That consistency matters more than pretending a spoon is a precise weight.
How can I make the coffee stronger or milder?
If the coffee tastes too light for you, try adding a little more ground coffee while keeping the water amount the same. If it tastes too intense, use a little less. Adjust by one or two grams for a single mug, or by a small, consistent amount for a full pot.
Change one thing at a time. Keep the coffee, grind and brewing method steady while you adjust the dose. That makes it easier to tell whether the new amount suits your taste. If a cup tastes bitter or thin, the grind and brewing time can matter too, so more or less coffee may not be the whole answer.
Is the amount different for espresso or instant coffee?
Yes. The figures above are for filter coffee and cafetière. Espresso uses a measured dose in the machine’s basket, with the amount depending on the basket and recipe. Follow the machine or basket guidance rather than using a mug-based ratio.
Instant coffee is different again because it dissolves straight into the drink. Follow the directions on the jar or pack, then adjust the amount to suit your mug and taste. Do not use the ground-coffee ratio for instant granules.
The quick answer
For filter or cafetière coffee, start with about 60g of ground coffee per litre of water. That is roughly 15g for 250ml, 18g for 300ml or 21g for 350ml. Measure the water before brewing, then adjust the coffee a little at a time until the cup tastes right to you.
If you are ready to choose a coffee for your next brew, browse Presto’s ground coffee range.
