How many grams of coffee per cup?

For a standard 8 oz (240 ml) cup using drip or pour over, the golden ratio is 15g of coffee (1:16 ratio). For a stronger cup, use 17–18g (1:13–1:14). French press typically uses 15–16g per 8 oz. Espresso uses 18–20g to produce a 36–40g (1.25–1.4 oz) double shot.

What is the golden ratio for coffee?

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) defines the golden ratio as 55g of coffee per liter of water, which is approximately 1:18 by weight. In practice, most specialty coffee shops use a 1:15 to 1:17 ratio for drip and pour over methods. The ideal ratio depends on your taste preference and the specific coffee's roast level.

How many tablespoons of coffee per cup?

A standard tablespoon holds approximately 5–6g of ground coffee. For an 8 oz cup at the golden ratio (15g coffee), you need about 2.5–3 tablespoons. Most coffee makers recommend 1–2 tablespoons per 6 oz of water, but this produces a weaker brew than specialty-grade ratios.

Coffee Brewing Ratios: Grams per Cup for Every Brew Method

Why Ratios Matter More Than Scoops

Volume measurements like tablespoons are unreliable for coffee because the density of ground coffee varies significantly with grind size and roast level. A tablespoon of coarsely ground French press coffee weighs roughly 4g, while the same tablespoon of finely ground espresso weighs 6–7g. Using a kitchen scale and weight-based ratios removes this variable and gives you consistent results every brew.

Coffee-to-water ratios are expressed as 1:X, where 1 is the weight of coffee and X is the weight of water. Water weighs 1g per ml, so 240ml of water weighs 240g — making ml and g interchangeable for water in these calculations.

Brew Method Ratios (per 8 oz / 240 ml cup)

Brew Method	Ratio (coffee:water)	Coffee (g) per 8 oz	Water (ml) per 8 oz	Strength
Espresso (double shot)	1:2	18 g	36 ml out	Very strong
Cold Brew	1:8	30 g	240 ml	Concentrate
AeroPress	1:12	20 g	240 ml	Strong
French Press	1:15	16 g	240 ml	Medium-strong
Pour Over (V60, Chemex)	1:16	15 g	240 ml	Medium
Drip Coffee Maker	1:17	14 g	240 ml	Medium-light
Moka Pot	1:7	20 g	140 ml	Very strong

Note: Espresso yield is measured by output weight, not input water. Cold brew ratio makes a concentrate that is typically diluted 1:1 with water or milk before serving.

Cups Brewed vs. Grams of Coffee (Drip / Pour Over at 1:16)

Cups (8 oz each)	Water (ml)	Coffee (g)	Approx. Tablespoons
1	240 ml	15 g	2.5 tbsp
2	480 ml	30 g	5 tbsp
3	720 ml	45 g	7.5 tbsp
4	960 ml	60 g	10 tbsp
6	1,440 ml	90 g	15 tbsp
8	1,920 ml	120 g	20 tbsp
10	2,400 ml	150 g	25 tbsp
12	2,880 ml	180 g	30 tbsp

Adjusting for Taste

Too weak: Increase coffee dose by 1–2g (move toward a lower ratio number, e.g., 1:14).
Too strong: Reduce coffee dose or add water after brewing.
Too bitter: Use slightly coarser grind or shorter brew time — not more water.
Too sour/acidic: Use slightly finer grind or longer brew time to increase extraction.

Use our weight converter to convert coffee amounts between grams and ounces, or the volume converter to switch between ml, cups, and fluid ounces.