Have You Ever Wondered How Much Coffee Grounds Per Cup?
A Guide with Tips, Stories, and a Whole Lot of Love for the Perfect Brew
Let’s be honest: making the perfect cup of coffee at home can feel a bit like trying to follow your grandma’s recipe, somewhere between magic and guesswork. You scoop a little here, pour a little there, and hope it turns out just right. But sooner or later, the question hits all of us:
"How much coffee should I actually be using per cup?"
It’s a great question, and if you’ve ever wondered that while blinking at your French press or automatic drip brewer, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s one of the most common questions we get here at Win Win Coffee, and one I personally had to learn the hard (read: bitter) way.
My First Too Strong Brew And What It Taught Me
When I first got into brewing my own coffee, before Win Win Coffee was even a thought, I was in that early experimental stage. One morning, running late for a meeting, I panicked and thought, “More grounds = stronger = better, right?”
Wrong.
I ended up with a mug that could’ve doubled as jet fuel. It was so bitter it practically fought back. I took two sips and spent the next 20 minutes wondering if I had just ruined my taste buds forever.
That moment was humbling, but also the beginning of my coffee education journey. Because the truth is: coffee brewing is part science, part art, and once you understand the basic ratios, you open up a whole new world of flavor.
The Golden Ratio (And How to Make It Work for You)
So, let’s break it down.
The standard recommendation for drip coffee is 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 ounces of water.
If you like your coffee on the lighter side, go with 1 tablespoon per 6 oz.
Prefer something bold and full-bodied? Try 2 tablespoons per 6 oz.
Now, let’s be real—no one really measures coffee in “6-ounce cups” these days. Most of us drink 8- to 12-ounce mugs (or more if you’re running on deadline vibes).
So here’s a quick cheat sheet:
Water (oz)Ground Coffee6 oz1–2 tbsp8 oz1.5–2.5 tbsp12 oz2–4 tbsp
💡 Pro Tip: Invest in a digital scale if you’re ready to level up your brew. The Specialty Coffee Association recommends a 1:18 coffee-to-water ratio by weight (e.g., 15g of coffee for 270g of water).
Stories from the Brew Bar
One of our regulars, Jess from Austin, told me how she used to follow the “eyeball method” until she tried our Trophy Wife blend and realized she'd been under-dosing for years.
“I thought I didn’t like light roasts,” she said, “but I was just brewing it wrong!”
She now uses a scale and keeps a little sticky note with her favorite measurements by her coffee maker. Every time she makes her morning cup, it feels like a ritual—intentional, peaceful, and a small act of self-care.
That’s what we believe in at Win Win Coffee: coffee that fits your lifestyle, not the other way around.
But Wait—Does Brew Method Matter?
Oh, absolutely.
Different brew methods extract coffee in different ways, so your ratio might shift slightly depending on whether you’re using a:
French Press: Lean toward 1:12 to 1:15 ratio
Pour Over: 1:16 to 1:18 is your friend
Espresso: 1:2 to 1:3 (super concentrated, super delicious)
Cold Brew: 1:4 for concentrate, then dilute to taste
Each method brings out different notes in your beans, like the nutty finish in our 50/50 blend, or the bright citrus in the Aries Carajillo base (yes, Zodiac blends are coming back!).
Brewing Isn’t Just About Ratios, It’s About You
At the end of the day, coffee isn’t just fuel, it’s connection. It’s the quiet moment before your day begins, the conversation starter on a Zoom call, or the comfort drink on a rainy Tuesday.
So while we’ll always give you the science, we’ll also cheer you on as you make it yours.
Because here at Win Win Coffee, we believe everyone deserves a coffee that fits their vibe, strong or subtle, hot or iced, morning or midnight. All we ask is that you enjoy every sip.
Ready to Dial In Your Brew?
Check out our full lineup of blends at winwin.coffee and find your perfect match. Whether you’re a one-scoop minimalist or a scale-carrying aficionado, we’ve got something just for you.
And if you’re still not sure? Don’t worry, we’ll guide you, one cup at a time. ☕💛
