How much coffee for 800 ml? A barista's guide to the perfect brew ratio

October 13, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), the 'Golden Ratio' for brewing coffee is 55 grams of coffee per liter of water. For those wondering exactly how much coffee for 800 ml, the answer hinges on this globally recognized standard and your preferred strength. This guide will walk you through the precise measurements and methods for crafting a consistently delicious cup.

Quick Summary

This guide provides the ideal coffee-to-water ratios for brewing 800ml of coffee, explaining how to calculate the correct amount of grounds. It covers different brew strengths and methods like pour-over and French press, offering practical tips for measuring and achieving a perfectly balanced cup.

Key Points

Start with the Golden Ratio: Aim for 50 grams of coffee grounds per 800ml of water as a balanced starting point.
Use a Digital Scale: Measure coffee grounds in grams for the most accurate and consistent brewing results, as tablespoons are less reliable.
Adjust for Strength: For a stronger brew, increase the coffee to 53-54 grams (1:15 ratio). For a milder brew, decrease to 44-45 grams (1:18 ratio).
Match Grind Size to Method: Use a coarser grind for a French press and a medium grind for a pour-over to optimize extraction for each brewing type.
Ensure Water Quality: Brew with filtered water heated to 195-205°F for the best flavor, avoiding the use of hard tap water or boiling water.
Experiment and Taste: Treat the ratios as a guide, and don't be afraid to experiment to find the perfect recipe that suits your personal preference.

Demystifying the Golden Ratio for 800ml of Coffee

The foundation of a great cup of coffee is the correct ratio of grounds to water. Using too much coffee can lead to a bitter, over-extracted flavor, while too little will result in a weak, watery brew. The Speciality Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) recommends starting with 60 grams of coffee per liter of water. This translates to 48 grams of coffee for 800ml of water (800ml / 1000ml * 60g = 48g). This is a balanced starting point that can be adjusted to personal taste. For a slightly stronger brew, some suggest using 65 grams per liter, which would equate to 52 grams for 800ml. A kitchen scale is highly recommended for accuracy, as volume measurements like tablespoons can vary significantly depending on the grind size and roast.

Calculation and Conversion: Grams vs. Tablespoons

For the most precise and consistent results, using a digital kitchen scale to measure coffee grounds by weight (grams) is the professional standard. Since water also weighs 1 gram per 1 milliliter, calculating your brew ratio becomes a simple matter of division. However, for those without a scale, tablespoons can serve as a decent, though less precise, alternative. One standard level tablespoon is roughly 5 grams of ground coffee.

Calculation examples for 800ml:

Standard (1:16 ratio): 800 ml / 16 = 50 grams of coffee. Using the 5-gram-per-tablespoon estimate, this is approximately 10 tablespoons.
Stronger (1:15 ratio): 800 ml / 15 = 53.3 grams of coffee. This is roughly 10.5 tablespoons.
Milder (1:18 ratio): 800 ml / 18 = 44.4 grams of coffee. This is approximately 9 tablespoons.

It's important to remember that these tablespoon conversions are estimates. The density of coffee changes with the roast, and a heaped tablespoon contains more grounds than a level one. For reliable brewing, a scale is an invaluable investment.

Ratio Comparison: Standard vs. Strong


Ratio	Coffee Grounds (grams) for 800ml Water	Approximate Tablespoons	Brew Strength	Flavor Profile
1:18	44.4g	9	Milder	Lighter body, more subtle notes
1:16	50g	10	Standard	Balanced, good all-rounder
1:15	53.3g	10.5	Stronger	Fuller body, more intense flavor

Brewing Methods for 800ml

The recommended coffee-to-water ratio can also vary slightly depending on the brewing method. Immersion methods like the French press often use a slightly different ratio than pour-over, which allows water to flow through the grounds. The grind size is also a crucial factor, impacting extraction and flavor.

Pour-Over Method

For a pour-over brew using 800ml, follow these steps with a 1:16 ratio (50g of coffee):

Grind: Use a medium grind, similar to sea salt.
Rinse filter: Place your filter in the brewer and rinse with hot water. Discard the rinse water.
Add coffee: Add 50 grams of ground coffee to the filter and gently shake to level the bed.
Bloom: Pour about 100 grams of hot water (just off the boil, ~200°F) to saturate the grounds, then wait 30-45 seconds.
Pour: Slowly pour the remaining water in concentric circles, maintaining an even pour rate until you reach 800 grams total.

French Press Method

For an 800ml French press using a 1:15 ratio (53.3g of coffee), follow these instructions:

Grind: Use a coarse grind to prevent sediment from passing through the filter.
Preheat: Preheat your French press carafe by swirling with hot water, then discard the water.
Add coffee: Add the 53.3 grams of coarse grounds to the carafe.
Pour and stir: Pour 800ml of hot water over the grounds and give it a gentle stir.
Steep: Place the lid and plunger on top, but do not plunge. Let it steep for four minutes.
Plunge: Slowly and evenly press the plunger down to separate the grounds from the liquid.
Serve immediately: Decant the coffee to prevent over-extraction and bitterness.

The Role of Grind and Water

Beyond the coffee-to-water ratio, the quality of your ingredients significantly affects the final cup. Freshly ground beans provide a far superior flavor, as pre-ground coffee loses its aromas quickly. The grind size is also critical; a coarser grind for French press prevents sludge, while a finer grind for pour-over optimizes extraction time.

Furthermore, the water you use plays a major role. Filtered water is recommended, as tap water can contain minerals that impact the taste. The water temperature should be between 195°F and 205°F for most brewing methods, just below boiling.

Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Brew

Determining how much coffee for 800 ml is not a rigid science but a starting point for exploration. The standard recommendation is to use approximately 50-53 grams of coffee for 800ml of water, but this can be adjusted to your personal taste. By starting with a balanced ratio and making small, intentional adjustments, you can unlock a world of flavor and achieve a perfect, consistent cup every time.

For more expert advice on coffee brewing and tasting notes, consider exploring resources from the Specialty Coffee Association. Consistent measurements, a quality grinder, and the right water are your best friends in the pursuit of the perfect brew.

Frequently Asked Questions

A great starting point for 800ml of water is to use a 1:16 ratio, which requires 50 grams of coffee grounds. You can adjust this ratio for a stronger (1:15) or milder (1:18) brew to suit your taste.

While an exact conversion depends on the grind size and density, 50 grams of coffee is roughly equivalent to 10 standard level tablespoons, based on the estimate that one tablespoon is about 5 grams.

For the most consistent and precise results, measuring coffee grounds by weight using a digital scale is always the better option. Volume measurements like tablespoons can vary widely and lead to inconsistent flavor.

The 'Golden Ratio' is a guideline developed by the Specialty Coffee Association, recommending 55 grams of coffee per liter of water (roughly a 1:18 ratio). It serves as an excellent starting point for brewing.

Yes, different brewing methods can use slightly different ideal ratios. For example, a French press, an immersion method, might use a 1:15 ratio, while a pour-over, a drip method, might be closer to 1:16.

It is generally recommended to let boiling water cool slightly before brewing. The ideal temperature range is 195-205°F, as using water that is too hot can burn the coffee and create a bitter taste.

To make your coffee stronger, use a lower coffee-to-water ratio (e.g., 1:15) by increasing the amount of grounds. To make it weaker, use a higher ratio (e.g., 1:18) with less coffee.