How Many Grams of Tea Should I Use Per Cup? The Definitive Guide

December 11, 2025 •

4 min read

According to tea industry standards, a common benchmark for Western brewing is 2 grams of loose leaf tea per 240 ml (8 oz) of water. This ideal ratio, however, serves only as a starting point, as the perfect amount of tea depends on several factors that influence the final flavor and strength of your cup.

Quick Summary

Achieving a balanced and flavorful brew requires understanding the right tea-to-water ratio. The optimal amount varies by tea type, leaf density, and brewing method, all of which must be considered to prevent a bitter or weak taste.

Key Points

Standard Ratio: A general starting point is 2-3 grams of loose leaf tea for an 8-ounce cup of water.
Use a Scale for Accuracy: For the most consistent results, measure tea with a digital scale rather than relying on volume measurements like teaspoons.
Adjust by Tea Type: Different tea types, such as white, green, and oolong, have varying optimal ratios due to their leaf structure and density.
Increase Tea, Not Steep Time, for Strength: To make a stronger tea, increase the amount of tea leaves instead of steeping for a longer period to avoid bitterness.
Consider Brewing Style: Traditional Gong Fu brewing uses a higher tea-to-water ratio and shorter steep times compared to the Western method.
Leaf Size Matters: Because different tea leaves have varying densities, a heaping teaspoon of one type might weigh differently than another; a scale accounts for this.
Test and Taste: Experimenting with the tea-to-water ratio is the best way to find your perfect balance of flavor and strength.

The Standard Rule for Brewing

For many tea drinkers, a simple starting point is 2 to 3 grams of loose leaf tea for every 8 ounces (about 240 ml) of water. This ratio provides a reliable benchmark for most traditional teas and is equivalent to roughly one standard teaspoon of tea, though volume can be misleading depending on the leaf size. To achieve consistent results, using a small digital kitchen scale is the most accurate method for measuring your tea leaves by weight.

Customizing Your Brew: Grams by Tea Type

Not all teas are created equal, and their unique characteristics—such as leaf size, shape, and density—require adjustments to the standard brewing ratio. Brewing delicate white tea, for instance, requires a different approach than a robust black tea to avoid over-extraction and bitterness. Experimentation is key to finding your personal preference, but these guidelines can help you get started:

White Tea: White teas like Silver Needle have large, fluffy buds, so you may need a slightly higher volume (a heaping teaspoon or more) to reach the recommended 2-3 grams. A longer steeping time is often beneficial to release the subtle, delicate flavors.
Green Tea: Most green teas do well with the standard 2-gram (one teaspoon) serving per 8 ounces. However, some Japanese greens like Gyokuro may use a much higher ratio in traditional preparations.
Oolong Tea: The ideal amount of oolong can vary significantly depending on whether it is a tightly rolled or more open-leafed variety. Rolled oolongs are dense, so a scant teaspoon (around 1.5 grams) per 8 oz is often sufficient, but open-leafed oolongs might require more.
Black Tea: Robust black teas like English Breakfast are very forgiving and typically follow the 2-3 gram per 8 oz rule well. You can use a bit more for a stronger, more robust brew.
Herbal Tea (Tisanes): Because many herbal infusions are made from lighter, fluffier ingredients like flowers or dried fruits, they often require a larger quantity by volume to achieve the desired weight of 2-3 grams.

Beyond the Basics: Factors that Influence Tea Measurement

Several other variables besides the type of tea affect how many grams you should use. Understanding these can help you fine-tune your technique for the perfect cup.

Leaf Size and Density Matters

The physical nature of the tea leaf is a major determining factor. Large, whole-leaf teas, like a white tea, take up more space and therefore require a different volume measurement than a fine-cut or dense tea like gunpowder green. This is why measuring by weight with a scale is superior to using a teaspoon for consistent results, especially when switching between different teas. For instance, 3 grams of a fluffy white tea will occupy a much larger space than 3 grams of a dense, pellet-like gunpowder green tea.

Brewing Method: Western vs. Gong Fu Style

Your chosen brewing style also dictates the amount of tea needed. Western-style brewing, often done in a large mug or teapot with a single long infusion (2-5 minutes), uses a lower tea-to-water ratio, typically around 2 grams per 240 ml. In contrast, the traditional Chinese Gong Fu method uses a much higher tea-to-water ratio (often 5-7 grams per 100 ml) and employs many very short infusions (10-30 seconds) to bring out a wider spectrum of flavors from the same leaves over time.

Personal Preference

Ultimately, the 'perfect' ratio is a matter of personal taste. Some people prefer a delicate, lighter brew, while others enjoy a strong, robust flavor. Start with the recommended standard for your tea type and then adjust incrementally. If you prefer a stronger tea, increase the amount of tea leaves, but do not simply steep for longer, as this can extract unwanted tannins and make the tea bitter.

A Quick-Reference Table for Tea Ratios

To help you find your ideal starting point, this table summarizes common recommendations for different tea types based on Western-style brewing with an 8 oz (240 ml) cup.


Tea Type	Recommended Grams (per 8 oz cup)	General Teaspoon Volume Equivalent	Notes
Black Tea	2-3 grams	1 level teaspoon	Use more for a stronger brew; less for a lighter one.
Green Tea	1.5-2 grams	1 level teaspoon	Use slightly less for delicate greens to preserve flavor.
Oolong Tea	1.5-3 grams	1 scant to heaping teaspoon	Varies greatly with leaf shape (rolled vs. open leaf).
White Tea	2-3 grams	1 heaping teaspoon	Fluffy leaves require a higher volume for the same weight.
Herbal Tea	2-3 grams	1-2 heaping teaspoons	Often less dense than true teas; adjust for ingredient size.

Finding Your Perfect Cup

While a digital scale provides the most precise answer to how many grams of tea should I use per cup, the journey to your perfect brew is a personal one. Start with the established guidelines, understand how different tea types and brewing methods affect the outcome, and then feel free to experiment. Adjusting the ratio of tea leaves to water is the most effective way to control your tea's strength and flavor. By paying attention to these details, you can elevate your daily tea ritual from a habit into an art form. For further reading on tea ratios, a helpful guide can be found at Dominion Tea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Using a teaspoon is a convenient but imprecise method. A standard level teaspoon is often cited as being around 2 grams, but the actual weight can vary significantly depending on the size and density of the leaves. For accuracy, a digital scale is recommended.

Western brewing uses a lower tea-to-water ratio with a longer steeping time, while Gong Fu brewing uses a much higher concentration of leaves with many shorter infusions. This allows the Gong Fu method to explore a broader range of flavors from the same leaves.

Using too much tea can result in a brew that is overly strong and potentially bitter, as it extracts more tannins from the leaves. It can overpower the subtle notes of the tea.

Using too little tea will result in a weak, diluted, or 'watered-down' flavor. It won't allow the full complexity and aroma of the tea to develop.

No. Steeping for longer, especially with high-quality loose leaf tea, primarily releases more bitter tannins. To increase strength, you should increase the amount of tea leaves instead.

Yes, absolutely. The ratio of tea to water is what matters. For a larger mug, you should scale up the amount of tea leaves proportionally to maintain the desired strength.

Yes, water quality is a critical factor. Fresh, clean, and filtered water is ideal, as tap water with high mineral content can negatively impact the flavor of your tea.