How to choose the right coffee grind size for better brew

Whether you’re grinding for Espresso, Cafetiere, AeroPress, V60 or any other brewing method, knowing how to get your coffee grind size right is essential. It can mean the difference between a rich, balanced cup and one that’s weak, bitter, or just plain disappointing.

Your grinder is the backbone of your coffee setup. A bad grinder = uneven grind = bad coffee. Simple.

Let’s keep the science simple

We know that coffee brewing science can be a bit of a rabbit hole, so let’s break it down with one of our favourite analogies…

The Bucket Analogy

Imagine two buckets.
Bucket 1: Filled with rocks
Bucket 2: Filled with sand

If you pour water over the bucket of rocks, it runs straight through. This is like using a grind that’s too coarse — the water doesn’t stay in contact with the coffee long enough to extract the right flavours. The result? Weak, flat coffee with no body.

If you pour water over the bucket of sand, it barely drains. This is what happens when your grind is too fine — water extracts too much from the coffee, resulting in bitterness, astringency, and a dry, “claggy” mouthfeel.

For a great brew, you're aiming for a grind somewhere between those two extremes. This “sweet spot” allows the water to extract the ideal balance of flavour from your beans — not too much, not too little.

We’ve added a few base brew recipes below to get you started. These are a great jumping-off point for experimenting with different grind sizes.

Don't be afraid to experiment

Every grinder is different, and personal taste matters. What tastes flat to one person might taste smooth to another. That’s why we always recommend testing and tweaking to suit your own palate.

Here are some simple coffee grind troubleshooting tips:

Coffee tastes weak or watery? Try a finer grind.
Coffee tastes bitter, dry or muddy? Try a coarser grind.

Aeropress
18g coffee | 240ml water | 3-minute brew
💡 Use a fine to medium grind for best results.
Shop the AeroPress →

V60 Pour Over
15g coffee | 240ml water | 3:30-minute brew
💡 Use a medium-fine grind similar to table salt.
Shop single-origin coffees →

Cafetiere (French Press)
30g coffee | 500ml water | 3–5-minute brew
💡 Use a coarse grind – it should look like sea salt.
Find the best coffee for cafetiere →