How much coffee grounds per cup? For a standard cup of coffee, use about 10 g of ground coffee, which is 2 level tablespoons or 1 standard coffee scoop, for every 6 fl oz (180 ml) of water. That works out to a ratio of roughly 1:17 coffee to water. Use a little more for stronger coffee and a little less for lighter coffee.
The tricky part is that “a cup” means different things. A coffee maker “cup” is usually 5–6 oz, not the 8 oz cup in a measuring set or the 12 oz mug on your desk. The charts below cover each case.
How much coffee grounds per cup: the basic ratio
Most coffee guides, including the Specialty Coffee Association’s brewing standards, land on a similar range: about 55–60 g of coffee per liter of water, which is a ratio of about 1:16 to 1:18. The National Coffee Association’s simpler rule of thumb is 1–2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 oz of water.
- 1:15 – strong and full-bodied
- 1:16 to 1:17 – balanced, a good starting point
- 1:18 – lighter and brighter
Weighing your coffee with a scale is the most accurate way to measure. Scoops and tablespoons vary depending on grind size and how much you pack them. If you want more consistency, a simple kitchen or coffee scale helps. See our guide to the best coffee scales.
How many scoops of coffee per cup?
A standard coffee scoop holds about 2 level tablespoons, or roughly 10 g of medium-ground coffee. Use 1 scoop per 6 oz of water.
| Water | Scoops (2 tbsp each) | Approx. grams |
|---|---|---|
| 6 oz (180 ml) | 1 | 10 g |
| 8 oz (240 ml) | 1⅓ | 14 g |
| 12 oz (355 ml) | 2 | 20–21 g |
| 16 oz (475 ml) | 2⅔ | 27–28 g |
Check your scoop. Some included with coffee makers hold only 1 tablespoon. Fill it level with water and pour it into a tablespoon measure to find out.
How many tablespoons of coffee per cup?
Use 2 level tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 oz of water, or about 2⅔ tablespoons per 8 oz mug. One level tablespoon of medium-ground coffee weighs about 5 g, though it can range from about 4 to 7 g depending on grind and roast.
| Mug size | Mild | Medium | Strong |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 oz | 1½ tbsp | 2 tbsp | 2½ tbsp |
| 8 oz | 2 tbsp | 2⅔ tbsp | 3 tbsp |
| 12 oz | 3 tbsp | 4 tbsp | 5 tbsp |
How much coffee for 12 cups?
For a full 12-cup drip coffee maker, use about 95–110 g of coffee, which is roughly 10–12 standard scoops or 19–22 tablespoons. A “12-cup” pot usually holds about 60 oz (1.8 liters) of water, because the machine counts 5 oz per cup.
| Coffee maker cups | Water (approx.) | Grams | Scoops | Tablespoons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 cups | 20 oz (590 ml) | 33–37 g | 3½–4 | 7–8 |
| 6 cups | 30 oz (890 ml) | 50–55 g | 5–6 | 10–11 |
| 8 cups | 40 oz (1.2 L) | 65–72 g | 7–8 | 13–15 |
| 10 cups | 50 oz (1.5 L) | 80–90 g | 8–9 | 16–18 |
| 12 cups | 60 oz (1.8 L) | 95–110 g | 10–12 | 19–22 |
Check your machine’s manual, since some brands count 6 oz per cup. Also check the basket’s capacity; a few smaller machines cannot hold 110 g without overflowing.
Coffee ratio by brewing method
Different brewers extract coffee differently, so the best ratio changes a little by method.
| Method | Ratio | Example | Grind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drip coffee maker | 1:16–1:17 | 60 g per 1 L | Medium |
| Pour over | 1:15–1:17 | 15 g per 250 g | Medium-fine |
| French press | 1:12–1:15 | 30 g per 400 g | Coarse |
| AeroPress | 1:12–1:16 | 15 g per 220 g | Fine to medium |
| Moka pot | About 1:7–1:10 | Fill the basket level | Fine |
| Espresso | 1:2 (in to out) | 18 g in, 36 g out | Very fine |
| Cold brew concentrate | 1:4–1:8 | 100 g per 600 g | Coarse |
For a deeper look at each brewer, see our guide to coffee brewing methods. Espresso uses a very different measure, explained in our espresso brew ratio guide.
How to adjust for taste
- Too weak or watery: add more coffee (move toward 1:15), or grind slightly finer.
- Too strong or harsh: use less coffee (move toward 1:18), or add a splash of hot water after brewing.
- Sour: often under-extracted. Grind finer or use hotter water, around 93–96°C.
- Bitter: often over-extracted. Grind coarser or shorten brew time.
Bean type matters too. A light roast is denser, so a tablespoon of it weighs more than a tablespoon of dark roast. That is another reason weighing gives more consistent results.
Why “a cup” is so confusing
Three different “cups” show up in coffee instructions, and mixing them up is the most common reason home coffee tastes weak or too strong.
- Coffee maker cup: usually 5 oz (about 150 ml), sometimes 6 oz. This is what the markings on a carafe mean.
- Measuring cup: 8 fl oz (about 240 ml), the US kitchen standard.
- Your mug: often 10–16 oz. A big mug of coffee can be two or even three “coffee maker cups.”
The easiest fix is to ignore “cups” and measure the water you actually pour, in ounces, milliliters or grams. One milliliter of water weighs one gram, so a kitchen scale handles both coffee and water.
Do grind size and roast change how much coffee you need?
Yes, a little. Finer grinds extract faster, so you may need slightly less coffee to reach the same strength, while coarse grinds, as used in a French press, often need a slightly stronger ratio. Darker roasts taste stronger and more bitter at the same dose, so many people use a touch less. Lighter roasts often taste best at the stronger end of the range. If you are not sure what you are buying, our guide to types of coffee beans explains how origin and roast affect flavor.
Measuring tips
- Measure whole beans by weight before grinding, then grind just before brewing.
- If using scoops, level them off with a knife instead of heaping.
- Use fresh, filtered water. Water is over 98% of your cup.
- Stick with one ratio for a week before changing, so you can tell the difference.
- Write down what you used, such as “60 g, 1 liter, medium grind,” so you can repeat a cup you love.
FAQ
How much coffee for one 8 oz cup?
About 14 g of coffee, which is roughly 2⅔ level tablespoons or 1⅓ standard scoops.
How many grams is a scoop of coffee?
A standard 2-tablespoon coffee scoop holds about 10 g of medium-ground coffee, but it can range from about 8 to 12 g depending on grind and roast.
How much coffee for a 12 cup coffee maker?
Use about 95–110 g, or 10–12 scoops, for a full 60 oz pot. Use the lower end for milder coffee.
What is the golden ratio for coffee?
The golden ratio usually refers to about 1:18, or 55 g of coffee per liter of water, as recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association. Many people prefer slightly stronger, around 1:16.
How much coffee for a French press?
Use about 30 g of coarse ground coffee (6 tablespoons) for 400–450 ml of water, a ratio of around 1:14. Steep for 4 minutes before pressing.
Should I use more coffee for iced coffee?
Yes. Brew about 1.5–2 times stronger, or use less hot water and brew over ice, so melting ice does not water it down.