Coffee Grind Size Chart: How Fine Should You Grind?

If you’re diving into the world of coffee brewing, figuring out the right grind size might feel overwhelming. What grind is best for French press, espresso, or cold brew? You might be tempted to stick with pre-ground beans, but don’t make that choice just yet!

Before you settle for less fresh coffee, read through our comprehensive coffee grind size chart. We’ve broken down everything from the finest to the coarsest grind, explained why you should grind at home, and matched each grind size with the perfect brewing method. Stick around for our FAQ and tips on why grind size matters!

Why should you grind coffee beans at home?

When it comes to coffee, freshness is everything. No matter the origin or roast, to extract the most flavor from your beans, you need them to be as fresh as possible. This means using beans that are freshly roasted and ground.

Once exposed to oxygen, coffee beans start to lose their flavor and go stale. Freshly roasted coffee tastes best within 1-2 weeks, and freshly ground coffee loses its peak flavor just 15 minutes after grinding. So, even if you buy high-end beans and roast them recently, grinding them too early could lead to a bland cup. To get the best flavor, grind your beans right before brewing.

Another advantage of grinding at home is that different brewing methods require different grind sizes. Whether you’re brewing espresso or French press, grinding at home allows you to tailor the grind size to your preferred brewing method.

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The 7 Types of Coffee Grinds:

There are seven primary grind sizes, and each is suited to specific brewing methods. Here’s a breakdown of each, along with a description of what it looks like and which brewing method it’s best for.

1. Extra Coarse Grind

• Texture: Very rough, with large particles where you can still see the shape of the beans
• Best For: Cold brew, cowboy coffee (boiled in a pan)

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2. Coarse Grind

• Texture: Similar to sea salt or Kosher salt, with large, even chunks
• Best For: Coffee cupping, French press, percolators

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3. Medium-Coarse Grind

• Texture: Rough sand, falling between medium and coarse
• Best For: Café Solo, Chemex brewers

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4. Medium Grind

• Texture: Smooth sand; the most common grind size for pre-ground coffee
• Best For: Drip coffee makers, siphon brewers, AeroPress (with a 3+ minute brew time)

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5. Medium-Fine Grind

• Texture: Smoother than sand, but not too fine
• Best For: Cone-shaped pour-overs, vacuum brewers, AeroPress (2-3 minute brew time)

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6. Fine Grind

• Texture: Smooth, powder-like; often sold as espresso grind
• Best For: Espresso makers, AeroPress (1-2 minute brew time)

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7. Extra-Fine Grind

• Texture: Very fine, like flour or powder
• Best For: Turkish coffee (also called Turkish grind)

What’s the best grind size for each brewing method? (Coffee Grind Size Chart)

The grind size you need depends on how long your coffee grounds will be in contact with water. Here’s a quick rule of thumb: the coarser the grind, the slower the water extracts the flavor. Conversely, finer grinds release flavor more quickly.

• French press & cold brew: Coarse or extra coarse grinds prevent over-extraction since the grounds sit in water for several minutes.
• Pour-over & drip coffee: Medium or medium-fine grinds are ideal, as the water only passes through the grounds for a few seconds.
• Espresso & Moka pots: Fine grinds work best because water passes through very quickly, and you need fine grounds to extract a strong flavor.

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Why does grind size matter?

Grind size plays a crucial role in both the flavor and texture of your brewed coffee. Using the wrong grind size can lead to poor flavor extraction or an unpleasant texture.

Texture

If you’ve ever had silty, overly textured French press coffee, you’ve experienced what happens when the grind is too fine for your brewing method. Metal filters (like those in French presses) allow finely ground coffee to slip through, which can result in a bitter and gritty cup. On the other hand, paper filters trap finer particles more effectively, allowing for cleaner cups with finer grinds.

Flavor

Flavor is determined by the extraction process — how the water pulls flavor compounds from the coffee grounds. Using the wrong grind size can lead to over-extraction or under-extraction.

• Under-extraction happens when water can’t pull enough flavor from the beans, usually because the grind is too coarse. This results in weak, sour, or salty coffee.
• Over-extraction occurs when water extracts too much flavor, often due to beans being ground too finely. Over-extracted coffee is bitter and overly strong.

Types of Grinders

To achieve the perfect grind, you need the right grinder. There are two main types:

1. Blade Grinders

• Use spinning blades to chop the beans.
• Less precise and produces inconsistent grounds.
• Cheaper, but not ideal for high-quality brewing.

2. Burr Grinders

• Crush beans between burrs for more consistent grind sizes.
• More expensive but produces uniform grounds.
• Available in both manual and electric options.

Best Coffee Grind Size FAQ:

What’s the best French press grind size?

Coarse grind, similar to sea salt, is best for French press brewing.

What’s the right grind size for cold brew?

Extra coarse, as cold brew requires long brewing times at low temperatures.

What’s the perfect Chemex grind size?

Medium-coarse, with a texture like rough sand. sand.

What’s the ideal AeroPress grind size?

Medium to fine, depending on brew time. Shorter brews need finer grinds.

What’s the best grind size for pour-over coffee?

Medium to medium-fine.

What’s the most optimal espresso grind size?

Fine grind is ideal for espresso machines.

What’s the perfect drip coffee grind size?

Medium grind works best.

Which grind size works best when using a Moka pot?

Fine grind is recommended, similar to espresso.

How often should you grind coffee to keep it fresh?

Grind your coffee right before brewing to ensure freshness. Coffee starts losing flavor just 15 minutes after grinding.

Final Thoughts

Mastering coffee grind size doesn’t have to be complicated. With this guide, you’ll know exactly how to grind your beans for each brewing method. Whether you need an extra coarse grind for cold brew or a fine grind for espresso, getting the right texture will help you brew the perfect cup every time. We hope this coffee grind size chart has been helpful — now go enjoy your fresh, flavorful coffee!