For 20 oz (591 ml) of water, use about 39 g of coffee, roughly 7.9 level tablespoons of ground coffee. That is a 1:15 ratio, our default for clever dripper.
39 gcoffee
7.9 tbsplevel, ground
591 mlwater
~17.3 ozin the cup
Stronger or milder
| Ratio | Coffee | Tablespoons | Taste |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:14 | 42 g | 8.4 tbsp | stronger |
| 1:15 | 39 g | 7.9 tbsp | our default |
| 1:16 | 37 g | 7.4 tbsp | milder |
| 1:17 | 35 g | 7.0 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. |
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 clever dripper sizes
Other methods at 20 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 20 oz of water?
About 39 g at a 1:15 ratio, between 35 g (milder) and 42 g (stronger).
How many tablespoons of coffee for 20 oz in a clever dripper?
About 7.9 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.