The Complete Visual Guide (2025)
Master Every Grind Size for Perfect Coffee Every Time
Coffee grind size is one of the most critical factors determining coffee flavor and extraction. Whether you prefer espresso, moka pot, French press, or pour-over coffee, getting the grind size right makes the difference between a delicious cup and disappointment.
This comprehensive guide covers all eight major grind sizes, their applications, visual representations, and how to adjust your grinder for each brewing method. Whether you're using a budget burr grinder or a premium conical model, understanding grind sizes will transform your home coffee experience.
The basic principle: finer grinds extract faster and create more bitter flavors if over-extracted; coarser grinds extract slower and can taste weak if under-extracted. The key is matching your grind to your brewing method and adjusting based on taste.
| Grind Size | Texture Like | Best For | Brew Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Fine | Powdered Sugar | Turkish Coffee | 1-2 min |
| Fine | Table Salt | Espresso | 25-30 sec |
| Medium-Fine | Fine Sand | Moka Pot AeroPress | 4-5 min |
| Medium | Beach Sand | Drip Coffee Pour Over | 4-6 min |
| Medium-Coarse | Coarse Sand | Chemex Clever Dripper | 4-5 min |
| Coarse | Sea Salt | French Press Percolator | 4-5 min |
| Extra Coarse | Peppercorns | Cold Brew | 12-24 hrs |
| Turkish | Flour/Powder | Turkish Coffee | Instant |
Texture Comparison: Cracked peppercorns or breadcrumbs
15-20 seconds for medium amount
Use extra coarse grind exclusively for cold brew and extended steeping methods. The long extraction time compensates for the coarse particles. This grind size prevents bitter over-extraction in long steeps.
Texture Comparison: Sea salt or rough sand
10-15 seconds for medium amount
French press coffee should be coarse to prevent fine grounds from passing through the metal mesh filter. Steep for exactly 4 minutes, then slowly press the plunger. If coffee tastes weak, try medium-coarse next time.
Texture Comparison: Coarse sand with some fine particles
8-12 seconds for medium amount
Medium-coarse works well with Chemex's thick paper filters. These filters require slightly coarser grounds than thin metal mesh filters. Aim for 4-5 minute brew time. If water flows through too quickly, go finer.
Texture Comparison: Regular beach sand or granulated sugar
5-8 seconds for medium amount
Medium grind is the most common and versatile. It's ideal for standard automatic drip coffee makers and pour-over methods. If your coffee tastes bitter, go slightly coarser. If too weak or sour, try medium-fine next time.
Texture Comparison: Fine sand or table salt
3-5 seconds for medium amount
Moka Pot Sweet Spot: This is the ideal grind for moka pots. Should resemble table salt. If coffee tastes bitter, grind slightly coarser. If weak/sour, grind slightly finer. The grind should flow smoothly without clogging the filter basket.
Texture Comparison: Fine table salt or powder
2-3 seconds for medium amount
Espresso Target: Fine grind is essential for espresso machines. Aim for 25-30 second extraction time for double shot. If extraction is faster (under 20 sec), grind finer. If slower (over 35 sec), grind coarser.
Texture Comparison: Powdered sugar or confectioner's sugar
1-2 seconds for small amount
This very fine grind is rarely needed for home brewing except for Turkish coffee. If using for espresso, be cautious of channeling and over-extraction. The small grind size means fast extraction. Monitor pull times closely.
Texture Comparison: Fine flour or instant coffee powder
Less than 1 second (tiny amount at a time)
Turkish Coffee Specialty: This is the finest grind, almost like flour. It's specifically for Turkish coffee prepared in an ibrik. The fine particles settle in your cup, creating the traditional Turkish coffee experience. Some grinders have a dedicated Turkish setting.
Recommended Grind: Coarse
Brew Time: 4 minutes
Grinder Setting (Baratza): 28-32
Key Points: The metal mesh filter requires coarse grounds. Fine grounds will pass through and create a muddy cup. Always pre-wet the filter with hot water before brewing.
Recommended Grind: Medium-Fine
Brew Time: 4-5 minutes
Grinder Setting (Baratza): 12-16
Key Points: Start at setting 14. If bitter, go coarser. If weak/sour, go finer. The grind should flow smoothly without resistance or clogging. See our detailed moka pot grind size guide for complete instructions.
Recommended Grind: Coarse
Brew Time: 7-10 minutes
Grinder Setting (Baratza): 24-28
Key Points: Percolators work by repeatedly cycling hot water through grounds. Coarse grind prevents over-extraction. Check out our percolator buying guide for top recommendations.
Recommended Grind: Medium
Brew Time: 5-7 minutes
Grinder Setting (Baratza): 18-24
Key Points: This is the most common grind size. Most standard drip makers use paper filters. If coffee tastes bitter, try going one setting coarser. Explore the best drip coffee makers for quality machines.
Recommended Grind: Medium (V60/Kalita) or Medium-Coarse (Chemex)
Brew Time: 3-4 minutes
Grinder Setting (Baratza): 18-24
Key Points: Pour over methods require precision. Aim for even flow. If water rushes through too fast, grind finer. If too slow, grind coarser. Thin filters (V60) need medium; thick (Chemex) prefer medium-coarse.
Recommended Grind: Fine
Brew Time: 25-30 seconds
Grinder Setting (Baratza): 8-12
Key Points: Espresso is finicky. The grind must be perfect for proper extraction. If shots pull too fast (under 20 sec), grind finer. If too slow (over 35 sec), grind coarser. Invest in a dedicated espresso grinder for best results.
Recommended Grind: Turkish (Extra-Fine)
Brew Time: 4-5 minutes
Grinder Setting: Finest available
Key Points: Turkish coffee requires the finest grind available, almost like flour. The grounds settle in the cup, which is traditional. Brew in a special ibrik over low heat, stirring frequently.
Recommended Grind: Coarse to Extra Coarse
Steep Time: 12-24 hours
Grinder Setting (Baratza): 28-32
Key Points: Cold brew's long steep time compensates for coarser grind. Use a 1:4 coffee-to-water ratio. Coarse grind prevents over-extraction in water. Filter through cheesecloth or fine mesh.
Primary Cause: Grind too fine (over-extraction)
When grounds are too fine, hot water extracts too many compounds, pulling bitter flavors.
Solutions:
Primary Cause: Grind too coarse (under-extraction)
Coarse grounds don't extract enough compounds, resulting in sour, thin-bodied coffee.
Solutions:
Cause: Grind too fine for brewing method
Fine particles can clog filter screens, especially in moka pots and Turkish coffee devices.
Solutions:
Cause: Inconsistent grind particle size
Blade grinders create particles of many different sizes, causing simultaneous over and under-extraction.
Solutions:
Portable manual grinder, great for travel. Consistent burrs for medium-fine grinding.
Best For: Pour over, moka pot, camping
Capacity: ~25g beans per grind
Speed: 1-2 minutes hand grinding
Durable hand grinder with ceramic burrs. Good consistency across all grind sizes.
Best For: All brewing methods, travel
Capacity: ~30g beans
Speed: 2-3 minutes hand grinding
The most recommended entry-level burr grinder. Consistent grind quality, reliable performance.
Best For: Daily drip, pour over, moka pot
Grind Settings: 40 levels (extra fine to coarse)
Capacity: ~110g hopper, ~80g grinds container
Larger capacity with micro-adjustment. Better for households brewing multiple cups daily.
Best For: Household drip coffee, pour over
Capacity: ~120g hopper
Motor: Quieter motor than Encore
Flat burr grinder with 16 settings. Compact design, good temperature control.
Best For: Drip, French press, pour over
Capacity: ~120g hopper
Note: Not ideal for espresso
Premium mid-range grinder. Excellent uniformity, quiet operation, digital timer.
Best For: All brewing methods including espresso
Capacity: ~125g hopper
Special Feature: Macro and micro adjustments
Espresso-focused grinder with micro-adjustments. Digital timer for precise dosing.
Best For: Espresso machines, moka pot
Micro-Adjustment: 0.5g increments
Great For: Precision-focused home baristas
Professional-quality grinder for espresso. Italian-made, compact size, excellent burrs.
Best For: Espresso, specialty coffee
Features: Flat burrs, timer, compact
Speed: Fast grinding (15-20 grams in 10 seconds)
Flat-burr grinder optimized for filter coffee (drip, pour over). Exceptional consistency.
Best For: Drip, pour over, Chemex
Specialty: Optimized for medium grinds
Feature: Anti-static technology
Boutique-quality burr grinder. Exceptional consistency and minimal retention.
Best For: All methods (premium option)
Special: Minimal coffee retained between grinds
Made In: UK, handcrafted
Coarse grind has larger particles (like sea salt), while fine grind has smaller particles (like table salt). Larger particles in coarse grind result in slower extraction and weaker coffee if under-extracted. Fine grind extracts faster, producing stronger, more bitter coffee if over-extracted.
No, different brewing methods require specific grind sizes for optimal flavor. French press needs coarse grind (4+ minute steep), while espresso needs fine grind (25-30 second extraction). Using the wrong grind size results in under or over-extraction and poor taste.
Grind size controls how much surface area of the coffee bean is exposed to water, which determines extraction rate. Finer grinds expose more surface area, extracting faster (more bitter compounds extracted). Coarser grinds extract slower (risk of under-extraction producing sour coffee). The goal is optimal extraction that balances flavor compounds.
Burr grinders (conical or flat burr) produce more consistent particle size than blade grinders. For home use, the Baratza Encore ($45) is the most recommended entry-level burr grinder. For premium consistency, Wilfa Svart or Fellow Ode grinders offer exceptional uniformity.
Ground coffee begins losing flavor within 15-30 minutes after grinding due to oxidation and CO2 release. For best flavor, grind immediately before brewing. If grinding ahead, store in an airtight container and use within 1-2 hours. Whole beans stay fresh 2-4 weeks if properly stored away from heat and light.
Finer grinds extract slightly more caffeine due to increased surface area and extraction time. However, the difference is minimal (5-10%) compared to differences caused by brew time, water temperature, and coffee-to-water ratio. Brewing method and steep time have much larger effects on caffeine content than grind size alone.
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Top-rated drip coffee makers with recommendations for optimal medium grind.
Guide to brewing with percolators, including coarse grind size specifications.
Companion guide showing proper ratios for all brewing methods to match grind sizes.
Affordable grinder recommendations for consistent medium-fine grinding on a budget.