A Complete Guide to Coffee Grind Sizes

February 12, 2025

A Complete Guide to Coffee Grind Sizes

Grind size is one of the most important variables in brewing great coffee — yet it’s often overlooked. Too coarse and your coffee will be weak and watery; too fine and it will be bitter and over-extracted. Understanding grind sizes and matching them to your brew method is the key to unlocking the full potential of your beans.

Why Grind Size Matters

When you grind coffee, you increase the surface area exposed to water. The finer the grind, the more surface area — and the faster and more intensely water extracts flavours from the coffee. Each brew method has an ideal extraction window, which is why different methods require different grind sizes.

Using the wrong grind size doesn’t just affect taste — it also changes brew time, flow rate, and the overall balance of your cup. Getting this right is the single biggest improvement most home brewers can make.

Always grind fresh: pre-ground coffee loses its flavour compounds within 15–30 minutes of grinding. Invest in a quality burr grinder and grind just before you brew. You can find freshly roasted beans perfect for grinding at myroast™.

The Main Grind Sizes Explained

Here’s a breakdown of the most common grind sizes and the brew methods they suit best:

Extra Coarse — similar to rough sea salt. Used for cold brew coffee, where grounds steep in cold water for 12–24 hours. See our cold brew guide.
Coarse — like coarse ground pepper. Ideal for French press, percolators and cowboy coffee. The longer contact time needs a coarser grind to avoid over-extraction.
Medium-Coarse — similar to rough sand. Used in Chemex and some drip coffee makers.
Medium — like regular sand. The most common grind, used in drip coffee makers, pour overs such as the V60, and siphon brewers.
Medium-Fine — slightly finer than medium. Used for pour over methods like the Kalita Wave, and some moka pot recipes.
Fine — similar to table salt. The standard grind for espresso machines and moka pots. A fine grind creates the resistance needed for the pump to force water through under pressure.
Extra Fine — like flour or powdered sugar. Used for Turkish coffee, which is brewed directly in a cezve (small pot) without filtration.

Burr vs Blade Grinders: Which Should You Use?

Not all grinders are created equal. There are two main types:

Blade grinders use spinning blades that chop beans unevenly, producing an inconsistent mix of fine dust and large chunks. This inconsistency leads to uneven extraction and poor-tasting coffee. They’re cheap, but they’re the wrong tool for the job.

Burr grinders crush beans between two abrasive surfaces (burrs), producing a consistent, uniform grind. Both flat and conical burr grinders work well — the key is consistency. A quality burr grinder is the most impactful equipment upgrade any home brewer can make.

Quick Reference: Grind Size by Brew Method

Use this as a quick guide when you’re setting up your grinder:

Turkish coffee → Extra Fine
Espresso / Moka Pot → Fine
Pour Over (V60, Kalita) → Medium to Medium-Fine
Drip Coffee Maker / Chemex → Medium to Medium-Coarse
French Press / Percolator → Coarse
Cold Brew → Extra Coarse

Remember: these are starting points. Dial in your grind based on taste — if your cup is bitter, go coarser; if it’s sour or weak, go finer.

Shop Freshly Roasted Coffee for Any Brew Method

The best grind in the world can’t save stale beans. myroast™ connects you with Australian specialty coffee roasters delivering freshly roasted beans straight to your door. Whether you brew espresso, pour over, French press or cold brew, find the perfect coffee for your method in our online coffee shop.