French Press Calculator
Enter your coffee, water, or servings and get a full-bodied French press recipe with a coarse grind and a 4-minute starting brew time.
- 1Method
- 2Amount
- 3Results
How the French press calculator works
French press is an immersion method — the grounds sit in the water the whole time — so the ratio matters a lot. We default to a balanced 1:15 ratio, which produces a rich, full-bodied cup. Tell the calculator what you know and it fills in the rest.
A reliable French press routine
Add your grounds and pour in all the water. At 4:00, stir and break the crust that forms on top, skim off the foam and floating grounds, then insert the plunger and press slowly. Pour the coffee out right away — leaving it on the grounds will keep extracting and turn it bitter.
Want to convert cups to grams first? Try the coffee amount calculator, or solve for any ratio with the coffee ratio calculator.
Common coffee ratios by method
Every method has a practical starting ratio. Use these as a baseline and adjust to taste.
| Method | Balanced ratio | Grind | Brew time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pour Over | 1:16 | Medium-fine | ~3:00–3:30 |
| French Press | 1:15 | Coarse | ~4:00 |
| AeroPress | 1:15 | Medium-fine | ~1:30–2:00 |
| Drip Coffee | 1:16 | Medium | ~4:00–6:00 |
| Chemex | 1:16 | Medium-coarse | ~4:00–4:30 |
| Cold Brew | 1:5 | Extra coarse | 12–18 hours |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best ratio for French press?
A 1:15 ratio is a solid balanced starting point for French press. It gives a full-bodied cup without being overpowering. Adjust toward 1:16 for lighter or 1:14 for stronger.
How long should French press steep?
Around 4 minutes is the classic starting point. Break the crust and skim the surface at 4:00, then press slowly and pour off immediately so it does not keep extracting.
What grind is best for French press?
Use a coarse grind, similar to coarse sea salt. Too fine and you get sediment and over-extraction; a proper coarse grind keeps the cup clean and easy to press.