French press is forgiving, but it still rewards a consistent ratio. Here’s a reliable starting point.
Recommended ratio
For French press specifically, aim for 1:15 — slightly stronger than a typical pour-over ratio, since some flavor is lost to the grounds left in the carafe.
- 30 g coffee : 450 g water for a standard press
- 15 g coffee : 225 g water for a single mug
To scale this to any size press, use the coffee ratio calculator with the French Press preset selected.
Grind and steep time
Use a coarse grind, similar in texture to sea salt. A grind that’s too fine will slip through the mesh filter and leave sediment in your cup.
Steep for 4 minutes before pressing:
- Add grounds to the empty carafe.
- Pour all the water at once and start a timer.
- Stir gently once, then let it steep undisturbed.
- At 4 minutes, press the plunger down slowly and pour immediately.
For the reasoning behind ratios in general, see our coffee-to-water ratio guide.
