How much coffee?
Grams, tablespoons and scoops for seven ways to brew.
Method
V60, Kalita, Chemex
Amount
1cup
Strength
Balanced
Sweet and clear
Ratios at a glance
Balanced strength, one serving.
Common questions
The math behind the numbers.
How many tablespoons of coffee per cup?
For a 240 ml (8 oz) mug at a balanced 1:16 ratio you need about 15 g of coffee, which is roughly 3 level tablespoons. The old “2 tablespoons per 6 oz” rule lands in the same place.
What is the golden ratio for coffee?
Most pros aim for about 1 gram of coffee to 15 to 17 grams of water. Go toward 1:15 for more body, 1:17 for a lighter, sweeter cup. Espresso flips the idea around and uses roughly 1:2 coffee in to espresso out.
How much coffee for a 12-cup coffee maker?
Coffee maker “cups” are about 6 oz (180 ml), so a full 12-cup pot holds about 2160 ml of water. At a balanced strength that’s around 131 g of grounds, or about 13 standard scoops.
How much coffee goes in a French press?
Use about 1:15. A full 1 liter press takes roughly 67 g of coarse grounds. Steep 4 minutes, break the crust, then plunge slowly.
Is a scoop the same as a tablespoon?
No. A standard coffee scoop holds 2 level tablespoons, about 10 g of ground coffee. Spoon measurements vary with grind and roast, so a cheap kitchen scale is the single best upgrade for consistent coffee.
How much caffeine is in my cup?
A rough rule is 8 to 10 mg of caffeine per gram of arabica grounds, depending on brew method. The FDA suggests most adults keep it under 400 mg a day. Robusta beans have about twice the caffeine.