Coffee grind size guide

Why grind matters so much

The finer the coffee, the more surface the water touches and the faster it pulls flavour out. So methods where water passes quickly (espresso) need a fine grind, and methods where coffee sits in water for a long time (French press, cold brew) need a coarse one.

Grind size chart

These are the levels we use in our coffee descriptions:

Level	Method	What it looks like
3	Espresso	Very fine, like soft powder
4	Moka pot	Fine, a little coarser than espresso
6	Filter / pour-over	Medium, like sand
9	French press	Coarse, like sea salt
10	Cold brew	Very coarse

How to tell the grind is wrong

• Sour, weak or watery: the grind is too coarse. Go finer.
• Bitter, dry or harsh: the grind is too fine. Go coarser.

Whole beans or ground?

Ground coffee loses its aroma much faster than whole beans. If you have a grinder, grind just before brewing. With us you can order any coffee as whole beans, or ground especially for you after you order, at the level that suits your method.

Choosing a grinder

A burr grinder grinds far more evenly than a blade grinder, and you can taste it. The Fellow Opus covers the full range, from espresso to cold brew. The Fellow Ode Gen 2 is built for brewing methods like filter, French press and cold brew, not espresso.

Frequently asked questions

What grind for a moka pot?

Moka grind (4): fine, but a little coarser than espresso. An espresso grind is too fine for a moka pot and can block the water.

What grind for filter coffee?

Filter grind (6), medium like sand. It's the same for a drip machine and pour-over. If the cup tastes sour, go slightly finer.

Can one grind work for several methods?

You can get close: a filter grind works reasonably in an AeroPress, and a moka grind works in simple home espresso machines. But a French press grind won't work in a moka pot, and a Turkish grind won't work for anything else.

How long does ground coffee stay fresh?

Aroma starts fading within minutes of grinding. In a sealed bag ground coffee is good for two to three weeks, so buy small amounts or grind at home.