For 20 oz (591 ml) of water, use about 37 g of coffee, roughly 7.4 level tablespoons of ground coffee. That is a 1:16 ratio, our default for drip coffee maker.
37 gcoffee
7.4 tbsplevel, ground
591 mlwater
~17.5 ozin the cup
Stronger or milder
| Ratio | Coffee | Tablespoons | Taste |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:15 | 39 g | 7.9 tbsp | stronger |
| 1:16 | 37 g | 7.4 tbsp | our default |
| 1:17 | 35 g | 7.0 tbsp | milder |
| 1:18 | 33 g | 6.6 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.
- Water temperature: set by the machine.
- Brew time: set by the machine.
- Use fresh, filtered water and a clean machine. If your coffee tastes weak, add coffee before you change anything else.
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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Take a lookOther drip coffee maker 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 37 g at a 1:16 ratio, between 33 g (milder) and 39 g (stronger).
How many tablespoons of coffee for 20 oz in a drip coffee maker?
About 7.4 level tablespoons of ground coffee.
What is the best drip coffee maker ratio?
Start at 1:16 and adjust between 1:15 and 1:18 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.