French Press Coffee Ratio Calculator
Size your French press brew: enter the water you want and a ratio to get the coffee dose in grams and tablespoons.
How it works
Coffee (g) = water (g) ÷ ratio · Tablespoons ≈ coffee ÷ 5
The French press is a full-immersion method, so the coffee steeps in all of the water for the whole brew. A ratio near 1:12 to 1:15 suits it — a touch stronger than pour-over because the grounds stay in contact the entire time. Use a coarse grind and steep about four minutes before pressing, and pour promptly so the coffee does not keep extracting and turn bitter.
Worked example
For a 1000 ml press at a 1:12 ratio you need 1000 ÷ 12 = 83 g of coffee, roughly 83 ÷ 5 ≈ 17 tablespoons of coarsely ground beans.
Frequently asked questions
What ratio is best for a French press?
Around 1:12 to 1:15 works well. A 1:12 ratio gives a bold, full-bodied cup; move toward 1:15 for something lighter. Full immersion extracts efficiently, so French press often runs a little stronger than drip.
How long should I steep?
About four minutes for a medium-coarse grind, then press slowly. Steeping much longer keeps extracting and can push the cup toward bitterness, so decant any leftover coffee into a carafe.
How many grams are in a tablespoon of coffee?
A level tablespoon of ground coffee is roughly 5 grams, though it varies with grind and bean. Weighing on a scale is far more consistent than measuring by spoon.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.