How Much Coffee to Use in a Coffee Machine: A Full Guide

Whether you’re just getting started or finessing your morning brew, one of the most common questions coffee lovers ask is: “How much coffee should I use in my coffee machine?” It’s a deceptively simple question with an answer that can change depending on your method, machine, and taste preferences. This guide breaks it down by brew style, machine type, and includes tips for dialing in the perfect cup every day.

Quick Buyer Checklist

• Machine type: Automatic, manual, pour over, or single-serve?
• Serving size: How many cups per brew?
• Brewing ratio: 1:15 to 1:18 is standard (1g coffee to 15–18g of water)
• Grind size: Adjust based on method (fine for espresso, medium for drip)
• Water quality: Use filtered water if possible
• Bean type & roast: Lighter roasts require slightly more to extract full flavor

Core Guide: Step-by-Step

Planning & Setup

Start with the right tools. A gram scale is essential for accuracy. Scoops are approximate and can vary depending on the grind and bean density. If you want consistent results, measure.

Next, know how many cups you want to brew. A “cup” in coffee terms typically refers to 5–6 ounces, not the 8-ounce standard you might be thinking of.

Beans & Water

The golden ratio? Most pros agree on using **1 gram of coffee for every 15–18 grams** (or milliliters) of water. Here's a helpful chart to get you started:

Dial-In & Daily Routine

For drip machines like Moccamaster or Capresso, use a medium grind and start with a 1:16 ratio. Observe, taste, adjust. If it tastes bitter, try a coarser grind or less coffee. If it’s sour or weak, grind finer or add slightly more coffee.

For superautomatic machines like the Jura E8 or Jura Z10, much of the guesswork is removed — but starting with **9–11 grams per shot** is a good range. Most Jura machines allow you to adjust strength using the control panel. Experiment!

Maintenance & Longevity

Overusing coffee for a fuller cup? You may be clogging or stressing your brew head or pump. Always use fresh, responsibly-measured amounts and clean your machine weekly, including descaling monthly if you're using harder water.

Troubleshooting & Pro Tips

• Tastes muddy or bitter? Your grind might be too fine, or you used too much coffee.
• Weak and watery? Increase dose or decrease water slightly.
• Machine struggling? You may be overfilling the brew chamber — cut back 1–2 grams.

Pro Tip: Weigh once, remember the number, and mark your scoop or grinder setting for repeatability. Consistency is the name of the game.

TL;DR

• Use 1g of coffee per 15–18ml of water
• Drip machines: Medium grind, start with 1:16 ratio
• Espresso: 9–11g per shot in most superautomatics
• Weak brew? Use more coffee or grind finer
• Bitter brew? Use less coffee or coarser grind
• Weigh your coffee with a scale for best accuracy
• Clean machines to prevent under or over-extraction

Cost of Ownership

Using the right amount of coffee doesn’t just affect your flavor — it affects your budget. For a daily drinker making two 12 oz cups, you’ll use around 30g of beans a day. That’s about 11kg of coffee per year — roughly $285–$330 if using premium beans like Gaia.

Good maintenance (like using water filters and descaling) can extend machine life by 3+ years, reducing long-term costs significantly. Neglect it, and you might halve that lifespan — and double your expenses on repairs or replacements.

Sustainability & Health Notes

Using more coffee than necessary increases waste and carbon footprint. Start experimenting to find your ideal amount. Using high-quality, freshly roasted beans (like Gaia) means you can often use less while still getting superior flavor and higher antioxidant benefits.

Measure, adjust, and you'll enjoy flavorful coffee and a lighter footprint.

How We Evaluate Machines

At Upscale Coffee, we assess machines by brew quality, programmability, consistency, build quality, maintenance needs, and value over time. Whether it's a fully automatic Jura GIGA 10 or a sleek Moccamaster, our mission is to recommend machines that perform brilliantly, year after year.

Where to Buy & Next Steps

Ready to make every cup count? Explore our curated bundles at Upscale Coffee — we pair the most reliable machines (like the Jura Z10, Jura ENA 4, or Moccamaster) with Gaia beans and smart maintenance kits for simplicity and satisfaction from day one.

Your best cup is one great scoop away.

Top Questions Answered:

1. How much coffee should I use for one cup?
   About 15–17 grams for an 8 oz cup is a great start, depending on your preference.
2. How much water for 2 tablespoons of ground coffee?
   Two tablespoons is around 10–12g, so about 170–200 ml of water works well.
3. Why does my coffee taste bitter?
   Likely too much coffee, grind is too fine, or water too hot. Try adjusting each by small increments.
4. Can I reuse coffee grounds?
   Nope — used grounds lose most of their flavor and can lead to disappointing brews (or even mold).
5. How do I measure coffee without a scale?
   Use 2 level tablespoons for every 6 ounces of water as an estimate, but a scale really makes life easier!
6. How long can ground coffee stay fresh?
   Use within 1–2 weeks after grinding. Whole beans last longer but still aim to brew within 3–4 weeks post-roast.
7. What’s the strongest coffee ratio?
   A 1:15 ratio will give you a good kick without veering into over-extraction.
8. Does grind size affect how much coffee I need?
   Absolutely. Finer grinds extract more, so you may need slightly less to avoid bitterness.
9. What’s the best ratio for cold brew?
   Try 1:5 if you’re making a concentrate, 1:8 for ready-to-drink. Adjust to taste after diluting cold brew concentrate.
10. Can you use too little coffee in a machine?
    Yes — under-dosing causes extraction issues, sour notes, and thin texture.