If you’re wondering what size to grind your coffee, you’re in the right place. In this post, I explain what the different grind sizes for coffee mean, as well as what they’re used for. For example, if you want to make a simple batch of pour-over coffee, this guide will help you determine how small to grind your coffee beans for that. It also includes recommendations for other brewing methods, such as french press, cold brew, and drip. Pictures are included as well. If you want to know how to grind your coffee beans, read Coffee Grinding Methods Explained.
Why different sizes?
Different sizes of coffee grounds are needed for different coffee brewing methods because it affects the strength and flavor profile of the final brew. A smaller grind results in more surface area, which in turn results in a stronger extraction. If you use too fine of a grind for your method of choice, it can result in a nasty taste, the jitters, and in some cases it can make the cup very muddy. Likewise, if you use too coarse of a grind, it can make the coffee too weak and watery.
Now that you know why different grinds are better for different methods, you can read on to get the fine details.
Grind Levels
Extra coarse: 1.5 mm (rock salt) – cold brew (cold immersion techniques)
Coarse: 1 mm (coarse sea salt) – hot immersion techniques such as french press, cowboy coffee, cowgirl coffee, percolators (but not aeropress, since that is its own thing).
Medium: 0.75 mm (beach sand) – pour-over, drip machines (such as Mr. Coffee)
Medium fine: 0.5 mm (table salt) – moka pot, aeropress, siphon brewer
Fine: 0.3 mm (fine granulated sugar) – espresso
Superfine:0.1 mm (flour) – Turkish coffee
Grind Levels in More Detail
Extra coarse ground coffee is used for cold immersion techniques—basically, it is used for cold brew. Some people would insist that you should use coarsely ground coffee for cold brew. I’ll allow it, but I personally believe that extra coarse is the best, especially if you do a longer extraction (more than 18 hours). It is 1.5 mm, or about the size of rock salt.
Coarse ground coffee is used for hot immersion techniques. These include french press, cowboy coffee, cowgirl coffee, and teabag coffee. It is also the best option for percolators. It is 1 mm, or about the size of coarse sea salt.
Medium ground coffee is used for pour-over techniques. This includes manual pour-over and drip machines such as a Mr. Coffee. It is 0.75 mm, or about the size of beach sand.
Medium fine ground coffee is used for moka pots (the stovetop steamers). It is 0.5 mm, or about the size of table salt.
Fine ground coffee is used for espresso. This is the point where I stop recommending manual grinders, because you just won’t be able to get it this small or consistent without a specialized espresso grinder. A fine grind is 0.3 mm, or about the size of fine granulated sugar.
Extra fine ground coffee is used for Turkish coffee. Another name for this size is “Turkish ground coffee.” If you want it this small, you’ll need a specialty Turkish coffee grinder, as there is really no other reason to go to these lengths. It is 0.1 mm, or about the size and consistency of flour.
Now that you know what size to grind your coffee, you can decide on a grind method, which is explained in another post. I hope you enjoy your coffee and have a wonderful day. If you found this guide helpful, subscribe to Herbs and Brew 🙂