For 12 oz (355 ml) of water, use about 22 g of coffee, roughly 4.4 level tablespoons of ground coffee. That is a 1:16 ratio, our default for chemex.
22 gcoffee
4.4 tbsplevel, ground
355 mlwater
~10.5 ozin the cup
Stronger or milder
| Ratio | Coffee | Tablespoons | Taste |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:15 | 24 g | 4.7 tbsp | stronger |
| 1:16 | 22 g | 4.4 tbsp | our default |
| 1:17 | 21 g | 4.2 tbsp | milder |
Ratios are coffee to water by weight. A scale makes this easy and repeatable; tablespoons are approximate because grounds vary in density (about 5 g per level tablespoon).
How to brew it
- Grind: medium-coarse.
- Water temperature: 195–205°F (90–96°C).
- Brew time: 4–5 minutes.
- Rinse the thick filter first, bloom for 45 seconds, then pour in stages. The thick paper makes a very clean cup.
Fixing the taste
| If it tastes… | Try this |
|---|---|
| Sour, thin, weak | Grind a little finer or brew longer; or use more coffee (lower ratio number). |
| Bitter, harsh, dry | Grind a little coarser or brew shorter; or use less coffee (higher ratio number). |
| Fine but flat | Use fresher beans, roasted within the last month, ground right before brewing. |
Never look up a ratio again
The Golden Ratios Poster · $34.99
Every brew method's ratio on one beautiful kitchen poster, so nobody has to look it up again.
Take a lookOther chemex sizes
Other methods at 12 oz
French pressPour-over (V60)ChemexAeroPressDrip coffee makerClever DripperCold brew concentrateReady-to-drink cold brewIced pour-over (Japanese method)
Questions people ask
How many grams of coffee for 12 oz of water?
About 22 g at a 1:16 ratio, between 21 g (milder) and 24 g (stronger).
How many tablespoons of coffee for 12 oz in a chemex?
About 4.4 level tablespoons of ground coffee.
What is the best chemex ratio?
Start at 1:16 and adjust between 1:15 and 1:17 to taste.
Numbers on this page are estimates calculated from the assumptions shown. Coffees, beans and drinks vary; caffeine figures are typical values, not medical advice.