For a 17 oz French press, use about 31 grams of coffee, which is roughly 6 level tablespoons or 3 standard scoops, with 17 ounces (about 500 g) of water. That is a 1:16 ratio, a middle-of-the-road press. Go to 33 grams for a stronger cup or 29 grams for a lighter one.
What does the 17 oz table look like?
Tablespoon and scoop figures assume coarse ground coffee at roughly 5 g per level tablespoon, with a scoop equal to 2 tablespoons (about 10 g). Water is 17 ounces (about 500 g). The numbers are rounded.
| Ratio | Coffee (grams) | Level tablespoons | Standard scoops | Cup character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:15 | 33 g | 6.7 | 3.3 | Stronger |
| 1:16 | 31 g | 6.3 | 3.1 | Middle of the road |
| 1:17 | 29 g | 5.9 | 2.9 | Lighter |
Our own brewing note for both coffees below is 60 g per liter, which works out to 30 g for 500 g of water. That sits right between the 1:16 and 1:17 rows. Whole beans weigh the same as ground, so weigh before you grind. The reasoning behind these ratios is in our ratio cheat sheet.
Will 17 oz of water actually fit in a 17 oz press?
Often not to the brim. Many presses are sold by their total capacity, and you need room for the grounds, the bloom and the plunger. If yours is tight, brew 14 to 15 ounces and scale the coffee down. At 1:16, 15 ounces of water (about 425 g) takes about 27 g of coffee, or 5.3 level tablespoons.
The water should be just off the boil. Grind coarse, pour, stir once, and press when your timer says it is done. If the cup tastes bitter, our post on the French press vs AeroPress covers what the method does to a cup. If you are filling a bigger press, see the 32 oz French press measures.
How do you adjust the dose to taste?
Change one thing at a time. If the cup is weak or thin, add 2 grams (about a scant half tablespoon) before you touch the grind. If it is harsh or bitter, keep the dose and grind a little coarser, or shorten the steep. Most presses are steeped for around four minutes, and a timer on your phone does more for consistency than any gadget.
Also remember that coffee is measured by weight and not by volume. A heaping tablespoon, a packed one and a level one can differ by a gram or two each, which is why the table above says level. If you use a scale, the gram column is the one to trust.
How many 17 oz pots does a 12 oz bag make?
A 12 oz bag is about 340 grams of coffee.
| Ratio | Coffee per press | Presses per 12 oz bag |
|---|---|---|
| 1:15 | 33 g | About 10 |
| 1:16 | 31 g | About 11 |
| 1:17 | 29 g | About 11 to 12 |
If you press once a day, a bag lasts a little over a week and a half. Our subscription is 11% off with skip or cancel in one click, and the cadence guide in which coffee cadence fits you helps you set the timing.
Which of our coffees suits a French press?
Two of our bags list French press in their brewing notes. Both are $28 for 12 oz.
Our pick
No. 1 Common Sense
Huila and Medellin-Antioquia, Colombia · 1,300 to 1,500 m · Fully washed, solar dried · Castillo, Caturra, Colombia, Typica · Medium
Cocoa, red apple and brown sugar on the label, for the cup you make every morning without thinking about it.
Our pick
No. 10 Folklore
Piura and Amazonas, Peru · 1,100 to 1,700 m · Fully washed, sun dried · Caturra, Bourbon, Catuai, Pache, Catimor · Medium
Salted caramel, citrus and silky on the label, mild and round enough for the pot you make for the house.
Step-by-step for Folklore is in the No. 10 Folklore brewing guide. You can see all ten coffees if you want something else.
FAQ
How many tablespoons of coffee for a 17 oz French press?
About 6 level tablespoons, roughly 31 grams, for 17 ounces of water. Use 7 for a stronger cup or 6 scant for a lighter one.
How many scoops of coffee for a 3 cup French press?
About 3 standard scoops (2 tablespoons each). Many 3 cup presses are the 17 oz size, with a cup counted as roughly 5.7 ounces. Weigh your own scoop once, because free plastic scoops often hold less than the standard.
What grind size for a French press?
Coarse, similar to coarse sea salt. A finer grind makes the cup muddy and bitter and can make the plunger hard to press.
Weigh it once, mark your scoop, and the 17 oz press becomes the easiest cup of the day.
Questions people ask
How many tablespoons of coffee for a 17 oz French press?
About 6 level tablespoons, roughly 31 grams, for 17 ounces of water. Use 7 for a stronger cup or 6 scant for a lighter one.
How many scoops of coffee for a 3 cup French press?
About 3 standard scoops (2 tablespoons each). Many 3 cup presses are the 17 oz size. Weigh your own scoop once, because free plastic scoops often hold less than the standard.
What grind size for a French press?
Coarse, similar to coarse sea salt. A finer grind makes the cup muddy and bitter and can make the plunger hard to press.
Free printable
Keep the ratio chart on your fridge
One page with grams, level tablespoons and scoops for every cup size and for coffee makers from 2 to 14 cups. Leave your email and the download link appears right here.