A good starting point is about 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6-ounce cup, which works out to roughly 60 grams of coffee per litre of water by weight. The most reliable way to measure is by weight: aim for a ratio between 1:15 and 1:17 coffee to water, then adjust to taste. Stronger coffee uses more grounds; milder coffee uses less.

Quick Answer

Use about 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6-ounce cup, or weigh it: roughly 60g per litre of water (a 1:16 ratio). Increase grounds for stronger coffee, reduce for milder. Weighing is far more consistent than scooping.

Short Answer

Per 6-ounce cup, use 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee. By weight, aim for a 1:15 to 1:17 coffee-to-water ratio, around 60g per litre. Adjust up for strong, down for mild.

Coffee Per Cup Chart

Water Coffee (weight) Approx tablespoons
1 cup (240ml) ~15g 1.5–2 tbsp
2 cups (480ml) ~30g 3–4 tbsp
4 cups (950ml) ~60g 6–8 tbsp
1 litre ~60–65g 7–8 tbsp

Key Takeaway: Weigh your coffee with a scale. Scoops vary with grind and bean, so weighing is the single easiest way to make your coffee taste the same every day.

Why Weighing Beats Scooping

A tablespoon of coffee varies with grind size, bean density and how you fill it, so scooping gives inconsistent strength. A small kitchen scale lets you hit the same ratio every time, which is the secret to consistent coffee. See our note on a good grinder, which also affects how grounds pack.

Adjusting Strength

  • Too weak: add more coffee or grind a touch finer.
  • Too strong or bitter: use less coffee or grind coarser; see why coffee is bitter.
  • Espresso: uses a different, much higher ratio (around 1:2).

Ratios by Brew Method

Method Ratio
Drip / pour-over 1:15 to 1:17
French press 1:12 to 1:15
Cold brew concentrate 1:4 to 1:8
Espresso ~1:2

FAQ

How many tablespoons of coffee per cup?

Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6-ounce cup, depending on how strong you like it. Weighing about 15g per cup is more consistent than scooping.

What is the best coffee-to-water ratio?

A 1:15 to 1:17 coffee-to-water ratio suits most drip and pour-over coffee, roughly 60g per litre. French press is a little stronger and espresso much stronger.

How do you make coffee stronger without it being bitter?

Add more coffee rather than brewing longer or hotter. Increasing the dose strengthens the cup without the bitterness that over-extraction causes.

Bottom Line

Use about 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee per cup, or weigh it at roughly 60g per litre for consistency, then adjust to taste. A scale is the easiest upgrade for better coffee. To brew better overall, see our guide to better home coffee and best coffee makers.

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