Brewing Methods

French Press Ratio: How Much Coffee to Use

Scaling 1:15 to any size press

By Coffee In Cup Editorial TeamPublished 2 February 2026Updated 13 February 20264 min read

Demonstration content. Copy, data and sources are placeholders to be verified before publishing.

French press beside a ceramic cup

A French press is sized by water volume, so scaling the dose is simple arithmetic.

The numbers

At 1:15, divide the weight of your water in ounces by fifteen.

  • 12 fl oz press — 0.8 oz coffee
  • 27 fl oz press — 1.9 oz coffee
  • 34 fl oz press — 2.4 oz coffee

Adjusting

Move to 1:14 for a heavier cup or 1:16 if it tastes muddy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I fill the press to the top?+

Leave room for the plunger — about ¾ inch below the rim.

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