French Press Calculator
French press works best with a 1:14 to 1:15 ratio and a coarse grind. Most people steep for 4 minutes, but you can push it to 5 for a heavier body. Adjust the numbers below and the calculator handles the rest.
French press ratio calculator
Enter either value; the other updates automatically.
Classic balance - most common
Quick Reference (1:14 ratio)
| French Press Size | Coffee | Water |
|---|---|---|
| 3-cup (350 ml) | 25 g | 350 ml |
| 4-cup (500 ml) | 36 g | 500 ml |
| 8-cup (1000 ml) | 71 g | 1000 ml |
Common Questions
What grind size for French press?
Use a coarse grind, roughly the texture of sea salt. Too fine and you'll get a muddy cup with sediment that slips past the mesh filter. If your coffee tastes bitter or gritty, go coarser.
How long should I steep French press coffee?
Four minutes is the standard. Pour all your water in, put the lid on (plunger up), and wait. After 4 minutes, press slowly and serve right away. Leaving coffee sitting in the press will keep extracting and turn it bitter.
What ratio for stronger French press coffee?
Drop from 1:14 down to 1:12. That means more coffee per unit of water. You can also steep a bit longer (up to 5 minutes), but adjusting the ratio is more reliable than extending time.