How Much is 1 Cup of Coffee in Grams? The Guide to Perfect Brewing

October 14, 2025 •

3 min read

The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) recommends a 'Golden Ratio' of approximately 1:18—one part coffee to 18 parts water—for the ideal brew. But for many, figuring out how that translates to '1 cup' can be confusing. The answer depends on whether you mean the weight of the brewed liquid or the grounds, but mastering the gram measurement is key to achieving consistent flavor.

Quick Summary

Achieving a perfectly consistent cup of coffee relies on using precise weight measurements, not imprecise volumetric scoops. The standard approach uses a gram-based ratio of grounds to water. Factors like roast, grind size, and brewing method all influence this ideal ratio, which can range from 1:15 to 1:18 for most applications.

Key Points

Weight is king: Measure coffee grounds by weight in grams for consistency, as volume measurements like scoops are imprecise due to varying bean density.
The Golden Ratio: Use a gram-based ratio of grounds to water, typically between 1:15 and 1:18, to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor.
Calculate for your cup: For an 8oz (240g) cup of water, a 1:16 ratio requires 15 grams of ground coffee.
Brew method matters: Different brewing methods, such as drip, French press, or espresso, have their own specific recommended ratios for optimal flavor extraction.
Minimal nutritional impact: A standard cup of black coffee has a negligible number of calories (around 2-3 calories) and no fat or carbs.
Density affects volume: Roast level and grind size impact the density of coffee grounds, making volume measurements unreliable. A tablespoon of fine espresso grounds is heavier than a tablespoon of coarse French press grounds.

The Difference Between Measuring by Volume and Weight

In the world of professional coffee brewing, weight is king, and volume measurements are considered inconsistent. Here's why:

Varying density: Coffee beans and grounds vary significantly in density depending on the roast level and origin. A cup of coarsely ground coffee weighs less than a cup of finely ground coffee, despite occupying the same volume. Darker roasts also tend to be less dense than lighter roasts because they lose more mass during the roasting process.
Brewing Consistency: Using a scale eliminates the guesswork of whether your tablespoon was heaped or level. Weighing ensures a repeatable brew ratio for consistent flavor every single time.

Determining the Grams for a Standard Cup

For brewed coffee, the grams are split between the grounds and the water used during extraction. A standard U.S. cup holds 8 fluid ounces, which is approximately 240 grams of water.

To find the grams of grounds needed, you use the 'Golden Ratio' as your guide:

Step 1: Choose your ratio. The SCA recommends a starting point of 1:18 (1 gram of coffee to 18 grams of water). However, many homebrewers prefer a slightly stronger cup with a ratio between 1:15 and 1:17. A lower number means a stronger, more concentrated brew.
Step 2: Do the math. Divide your water weight by your chosen ratio. For an 8 oz (240g) cup with a 1:16 ratio, the calculation is 240 / 16 = 15 grams of coffee grounds. For a stronger, 1:15 brew, you would use 16 grams of grounds.

Different Brewing Methods and Their Ratios

The ideal coffee-to-water ratio changes depending on the brewing method because of factors like contact time and grind size. Below is a comparison of common brew methods using grams based on the Specialty Coffee Association's standards and common practice:


Brew Method	Standard Cup Size	Water Weight (g)	Recommended Ratio	Coffee Grounds (g)
Drip Coffee	8 oz	240 g	1:16 to 1:18	13 to 15 g
French Press	8 oz	240 g	1:12 to 1:16	15 to 20 g
Pour-Over	12 oz	360 g	1:15 to 1:17	21 to 24 g
Espresso Shot	1 oz	30 g	1:2	15 g
Cold Brew Concentrate	12 oz	360 g	1:5 to 1:8	45 to 72 g

What if I don't have a scale?

While a digital kitchen scale is the most accurate tool, you can approximate measurements using common kitchen utensils. Keep in mind that this is less consistent due to density variations.

A standard coffee scoop typically holds 2 level tablespoons, or about 10 grams of grounds.
A level tablespoon of grounds is roughly 5 grams.

To brew an 8oz (240g) cup with a 1:16 ratio, you'd need about 15 grams of coffee, which is roughly 3 level tablespoons or 1.5 standard scoops. You can also measure your water using a liquid measuring cup (1ml of water is 1 gram).

Nutritional Information in Grams

The weight of the final brewed coffee is mostly water, and the dissolved coffee solids are minimal. An 8oz (240g) cup of black coffee contains a very small number of calories, with some sources reporting around 2.4 calories.

Nutritional breakdown per 8 oz (240g) cup of black coffee:

Calories: ~2.4
Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 0g
Protein: 0.3g
Caffeine: ~95mg (can vary widely)

Conclusion

Measuring your coffee grounds in grams is the most reliable way to ensure a consistent, delicious cup. While volumetric measurements with spoons or scoops can provide a rough estimate, they lack the precision needed to fully control extraction and unlock the coffee's flavor potential. By investing in a simple, affordable digital scale, you can transform your daily brewing from a guessing game into a repeatable craft, giving you perfect results every morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

A level tablespoon of standard ground coffee is approximately 5 grams, though this can vary based on the grind size and roast.

Weighing is more accurate because it accounts for differences in density between different coffee beans and grind sizes. A scale provides an exact, repeatable measurement, ensuring consistency in your brew.

The 'Golden Ratio' is the recommended range of coffee-to-water proportions for optimal extraction. The SCA suggests starting with 1 gram of coffee to 18 grams of water (1:18), while many homebrewers prefer a ratio closer to 1:16.

To calculate the amount of coffee needed, first weigh the desired amount of water in grams. Then, divide the water weight by your preferred coffee-to-water ratio. For example, 300g of water divided by a 1:16 ratio equals 18.75 grams of coffee.

Yes, darker roasted beans are less dense than lighter roasts. When measuring by volume, this means you would need a different number of tablespoons to get the same weight. When measuring by weight, the primary adjustment is to the ratio and grind size, as darker roasts extract faster and can require a lower temperature.

A single cup (8 oz or 240g) of plain black coffee contains a very minimal amount of calories, typically around 2 to 2.4 calories.

For the highest precision, many recommend weighing your whole beans before grinding them, as a small amount of grounds can get left behind in the grinder. However, for most homebrewers, weighing grounds just before brewing is perfectly acceptable and accurate.