With 20 g of coffee in the basket, aim for about 40 g of espresso in the cup (a 1:2 ratio) in roughly 25–30 seconds.
| Style | Ratio | Espresso out | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ristretto | 1:1–1:1.5 | 20–30 g | 20–25 s |
| Normale | 1:2 | 40 g | 25–30 s |
| Lungo | 1:2.5–1:3 | 50–60 g | 30–40 s |
| "Turbo" shot | 1:3 | 60 g | 10–15 s (coarser grind) |
Dialing in
- Shot runs fast and tastes sour: grind finer.
- Shot runs slow and tastes bitter: grind coarser.
- Change one thing at a time and taste each shot. Weigh both the dose and the drink; volume is misleading because of crema.
A 20 g dose usually fits a double basket. Check your basket's rated dose; overfilling makes channeling more likely.
Try the espresso ratio calculator for any dose.
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Questions people ask
How much espresso should a 20 g dose make?
About 40 g for a classic 1:2 shot, or 20–30 g for a ristretto.
How long should an espresso shot take?
Roughly 25 to 30 seconds for a 1:2 shot, timed from when you start the pump.
Numbers on this page are estimates calculated from the assumptions shown. Coffees, beans and drinks vary; caffeine figures are typical values, not medical advice.