How Much Coffee Grounds Per Cup

Getting the Golden Ratio Right

The Day I Learned Coffee Ratios Matter

It was a rainy Sunday morning when my friend Sara came over. She’d brought her favorite medium roast, and we were excited for a slow, cozy coffee session. I brewed the first round using my usual “eyeball method”—a few scoops and a guess. She took one sip and politely smiled.

“Not bad,” she said, “but kind of weak.”

That moment kicked off my journey into understanding coffee ratios — specifically, how much ground coffee you really need per cup. Spoiler: eyeballing it doesn’t work. Your brew depends heavily on getting this one thing right.

Let’s break down what you need to know — so your next cup is always on point.

Why Coffee-to-Water Ratio Matters

Coffee is mostly water — about 98–99%, in fact. So the ratio between coffee grounds and water is what determines whether your cup tastes:

• Too weak (under-extracted)

• Too bitter or harsh (over-extracted)

• Or just right (balanced, flavorful, smooth)

When you use too little coffee, water flows through the grounds too quickly, pulling out mostly sour notes. Use too much, and you get bitterness and wasted beans.

Getting the ratio right = flavor control + consistency.

The Golden Ratio (Standard Rule)

The standard coffee-to-water ratio recommended by experts and the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is:

1 to 15–18 — that’s 1 gram of coffee per 15–18 grams (or ml) of water.

If you’re measuring with tablespoons and cups:

• 1 level tablespoon of ground coffee ≈ 5–7 grams

• 1 cup of brewed coffee (U.S. standard) = 6 ounces of water (not 8 oz as people often think)

So, a common rule for beginners is:

👉 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 ounces of water

Quick Reference Chart: Coffee Grounds Per Cup

💡 Pro Tip: Weighing with a digital scale is more accurate than using tablespoons, but both work if you’re consistent.

Brew Method Changes Everything

The ratio above is just the starting point. The amount of coffee grounds per cup changes based on your brew method, because different methods extract flavor differently.

Let’s go method by method:

☕ Drip Coffee Maker (Auto Machine)

• Ratio: 1:17

• Per cup: 1.5 tablespoons (about 10 grams) per 6 oz water

• Why: Machines brew slowly and evenly, so a medium ratio works well.

🌀 Pour-Over (e.g., V60, Chemex)

• Ratio: 1:15 to 1:17

• Per cup: 11–13 grams per 6 oz

• Why: The speed and skill of your pour affects strength, so you can go slightly stronger.

💪 French Press

• Ratio: 1:12 to 1:15

• Per cup: 13–15 grams per 6 oz

• Why: It’s immersion brewing, so you need more grounds for boldness and body.

⚡ Espresso

• Ratio: 1:2 (very concentrated!)

• Per 1 oz shot: 7–9 grams

• Why: Espresso is a different beast — small water volume, high pressure.

👌 Cold Brew

• Ratio: 1:4 (for concentrate), then dilute

• Per cup of concentrate: 1 cup grounds + 4 cups water

• Final drink: Dilute concentrate 1:1 with water or milk

• Why: Cold water extracts slower, so you need more grounds up front.

Measuring Coffee Without a Scale

Don’t have a scale? You can still brew a solid cup using tablespoons or scoops. Just remember:

• 1 tablespoon = 5–7 grams (depending on grind)

• A standard coffee scoop = 2 tablespoons

So if you want a strong cup:

• Use 1 full scoop (2 tbsp) for every 6 oz of water
  For a lighter brew:

• Try 1.5 tbsp per 6 oz

Just stay consistent, and you’ll get repeatable results.

Coffee Grind Size Also Affects Strength

Grounds aren’t all equal. A tablespoon of finely ground coffee weighs more than a coarser grind. That means:

• Fine grind (like for espresso) = stronger brew with less grounds

• Coarse grind (like for French press) = weaker unless you use more

That’s why weighing your grounds gives you the best control — especially if you switch beans or grind types.

Water Quality and Temperature Matter Too

Using the perfect amount of coffee won’t matter if your water quality is poor.

✅ Use filtered water if possible
✅ Brew at 195–205°F (90–96°C) — that’s the optimal range
⛔ Avoid boiling water (over-extracts the grounds)
⛔ Don’t use distilled water (it lacks minerals that aid flavor extraction)

Tips to Nail the Ratio Every Time

1. Use a digital scale — they cost $10–20 and make a huge difference

2. Stick to one ratio for a week before tweaking

3. Grind fresh for each brew if possible

4. Keep notes of which ratios you like with different beans

5. Don’t rely on memory — use a chart or print it on your wall

Real-Life Test: Medium Roast in 3 Brew Methods

For fun, I brewed the same medium roast using 3 methods:

• Drip machine: 12g coffee, 204g water → smooth, nutty, mellow

• French press: 15g coffee, 180g water → bold, oily, strong

• V60 pour-over: 13g coffee, 200g water → bright, clean finish

The same beans, but totally different flavors — all thanks to changing the ratio slightly for the method.

One Last Sip from Coffea Alchemy

At Coffea Alchemy, we believe coffee is equal parts ritual and science. Measuring your grounds might feel fussy at first — but it’s the difference between a random cup and a cup you look forward to. Once you find your perfect ratio, every morning brew becomes something magical.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Guess. Measure.

If your coffee swings between weak and bitter day to day, the culprit is probably your scoop. You don’t need fancy tools or barista training to get it right. Just follow the golden ratio, adjust for your method, and use the same steps every time.

Because when your coffee is always dialed in, it’s not just caffeine — it’s confidence in a cup.

So, how many grams of coffee do you use per cup?

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