Grind size chart
| Brew method | Grind | Looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Turkish coffee | Extra fine | Powdered sugar |
| Espresso | Fine | Slightly coarser than powder |
| AeroPress | Medium-fine | Fine sand |
| Pour-over | Medium-fine to medium | Sand |
| Drip coffee maker | Medium | Sand to coarse sand |
| French press | Coarse | Coarse sea salt |
| Cold brew | Extra coarse | Cracked pepper |
Grinders differ, so treat this as a starting point. Your own taste is the final judge.
Burr grinder or blade grinder?
A burr grinder crushes beans between two rings, which gives particles of a similar size. A blade grinder chops unevenly and produces both dust and boulders, so some of the coffee over-extracts while the rest under-extracts. If you can only upgrade one piece of equipment, upgrade the grinder.
Grind right before you brew
Once coffee is ground, it loses aroma quickly because far more surface is exposed to air. Whole beans stay fresh longer, so grind just before brewing whenever you can. More storage tips are in how to store coffee beans.
Use taste to adjust
- Sour, sharp or thin: grind finer.
- Bitter, hollow or drying: grind coarser.
- Muddy, silty cup: too many fines. Grind slightly coarser or use a paper filter.
Move one or two steps at a time, and change nothing else in the same brew. Follow the same approach with our pour-over recipe and you will find your sweet spot in three or four cups.
Why consistency matters
Coffee particles of different sizes extract at different rates. Fine dust gives up its flavor in seconds and turns bitter, while large chunks stay under-extracted and sour. A grinder that produces even particles lets the whole bed extract at the same pace, so the cup tastes sweeter and clearer.
A note on moka pots
A stovetop moka pot needs a grind between espresso and pour-over: fine, but a little coarser than espresso. Do not tamp the coffee, and fill the basket level.
Common questions
Can I use pre-ground coffee?
Yes, but check that the grind suits your brewer, and use it within a couple of weeks. Whole beans stay fresher for longer, so they are a better choice whenever you can grind.
My grinder has no numbers. How do I dial it in?
Count the clicks or turns from fully closed, and write down the number for each brew method. Use the visual references in the chart to get close, then adjust by taste.
Why did my coffee taste different after I refilled the hopper?
New beans, a different roast level or a different age can all change how a grinder performs. Taste the first cup and adjust one step finer or coarser.
