For a 3 cup Chemex, use about 28 grams of coffee, which is roughly 5.5 level tablespoons or 2.8 standard scoops, with 15 ounces (about 444 g) of water. That is a 1:16 ratio. Go to 30 grams for a stronger pot or 26 grams for a lighter one.
What does the 3 cup Chemex table look like?
Chemex counts a cup as 5 ounces, so three cups is 15 ounces of water. A 3 cup Chemex is commonly sold, and sizes vary a little by maker, so check your own. Tablespoon and scoop figures assume medium-coarse grounds at roughly 5 g per level tablespoon, with a scoop equal to 2 tablespoons (about 10 g). The numbers are rounded.
| Ratio | Coffee (grams) | Level tablespoons | Standard scoops | Cup character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:15 | 30 g | 6 | 3 | Stronger |
| 1:16 | 28 g | 5.6 | 2.8 | Middle of the road |
| 1:17 | 26 g | 5.2 | 2.6 | Lighter |
Our own brewing note for most of our coffees is 60 g per liter. For 15 ounces that is about 27 grams, which sits right at the 1:16 row. Weigh whole beans before you grind, since beans and grounds weigh the same. The reasoning behind these ratios is in our pour-over ratio cheat sheet, and the general rule is on the how much coffee per cup page.
What if you are not brewing a full three cups?
A small Chemex pours best when it is not filled to the shoulder. Here is the same 1:16 ratio for smaller pours.
| Water | Coffee (grams) | Level tablespoons |
|---|---|---|
| 10 oz (about 296 g) | 18 g | 3.6 |
| 12 oz (about 355 g) | 22 g | 4.4 |
| 15 oz (about 444 g) | 28 g | 5.6 |
If your Chemex is the larger size, the full table is in how much coffee for a 6 cup Chemex. For a generic drip machine, the cup is counted differently, so use the 2 cup coffee maker page instead and do not mix the tables.
How many pots does a 12 oz bag make?
A 12 oz bag is about 340 grams of coffee.
| Ratio | Coffee per pot | Pots per 12 oz bag |
|---|---|---|
| 1:15 | 30 g | About 11 |
| 1:16 | 28 g | About 12 |
| 1:17 | 26 g | About 13 |
One 3 cup pot a day finishes a bag in a little under two weeks. One pot on weekends only stretches a bag across most of a quarter. Our subscription is 11% off with skip or cancel in one click, and which coffee cadence fits you helps match it to your pots.
How do you tune the dose once you have the number?
Treat 28 grams as a starting point and change one thing at a time. If the pot tastes thin or sour, add 3 grams (a bit over half a tablespoon) before you touch the grind. If it tastes harsh or bitter, keep the dose and grind a little coarser. Our too bitter post and too sour post go through each fix.
A level tablespoon of medium-coarse grounds is about 5 grams, but a heaped one can be 7 or more. At this small dose the error shows up fast, so weigh your spoon once and write the number down.
What are the steps for a 3 cup pour?
- Fold and wet the filter with hot water, then pour that water out.
- Add 28 g of medium-coarse coffee and level the bed.
- Pour about 60 g of water, just off the boil, to bloom the coffee and wait 30 to 40 seconds.
- Pour in slow circles to reach about 250 g, then again to reach the full 444 g.
- Let it drain. Aim for a total time of roughly 3 to 4 minutes, and grind a touch finer or coarser if you land far from that.
The time is a guide that varies with the filter and your pour, so use your taste as the check.
Which of our coffees suits a Chemex?
Two of ours are good fits, both $28 for 12 oz. Common Sense is the everyday pick. Folklore is a mild, round cup for when you are pouring for a guest. Folklore steps are in the No. 10 Folklore brewing guide. See all ten coffees for the rest.
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 second pot.
FAQ
How many tablespoons of coffee for a 3 cup Chemex?
About 5 to 6 level tablespoons, with 5.5 (28 g) as the middle. Use 6 for a stronger pot and 5 for a lighter one.
How many scoops of coffee for a 3 cup Chemex?
About 3 standard scoops of 2 tablespoons each, or 2.8 at 1:16. Free plastic scoops often hold less, so weigh yours once.
What grind size for a Chemex?
Medium-coarse, a little coarser than a typical drip grind. Too fine and the thick filter slows down, which makes the cup bitter.
Weigh 28 grams once, and the small Chemex stops being a guessing game.
Questions people ask
How many tablespoons of coffee for a 3 cup Chemex?
About 5 to 6 level tablespoons, with 5.5 (28 g) as the middle. Use 6 for a stronger pot and 5 for a lighter one.
How many scoops of coffee for a 3 cup Chemex?
About 3 standard scoops of 2 tablespoons each, or 2.8 at 1:16. Free plastic scoops often hold less, so weigh yours once.
What grind size for a Chemex?
Medium-coarse, a little coarser than a typical drip grind. Too fine and the thick filter slows down, which makes the cup bitter.
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.