Stronger or milder
| Ratio | Coffee | Tablespoons | Taste |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:14 | 25 g | 5.1 tbsp | stronger |
| 1:15 | 24 g | 4.7 tbsp | our default |
| 1:16 | 22 g | 4.4 tbsp | milder |
| 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: 3–4 minutes.
- Steep with the valve closed, then set it on your mug to drain. It is a French press with a paper filter.
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. |

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Every brew method's ratio on one beautiful kitchen poster, so nobody has to look it up again.
Take a lookOther clever dripper sizes
Other methods at 12 oz
Questions people ask
How many grams of coffee for 12 oz of water?
About 24 g at a 1:15 ratio, between 21 g (milder) and 25 g (stronger).
How many tablespoons of coffee for 12 oz in a clever dripper?
About 4.7 level tablespoons of ground coffee.
What is the best clever dripper ratio?
Start at 1:15 and adjust between 1:14 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.