Coffee Grind Size Chart for Perfect Extraction

The perfect cup of coffee materialises when the grind is just right. Getting the coffee grind size correct provides optimum flavour and balance in every cup. If the grind is too fine or too coarse it can lead to over- or under-extraction, which affects the taste and aroma.

The coffee grind size chart found in this article will give you an idea of what to purchase on your next shopping trip so you can enjoy a consistently delicious coffee experience every time.

Why Does the Size of the Grind Matter?

When coffee is brewed, flavours are extracted from the coffee grounds into water. The size of the grind directly affects this process which is why it is of high importance. When the grind is too fine, water flows through slowly, causing over-extraction and a bitter taste. If it’s too coarse, water passes through too quickly, resulting in under-extraction and a weak, sour cup. To create a cup of coffee that’s balanced in flavour and strength, find the grind size that matches your preferred brewing method.

There’s a Grind for Every Method

Coffee grind sizes range from extra coarse to extra fine, each working best with a specific brewing method. Here’s a breakdown of the main grind sizes:

Grind	Size Similar to	Best For	Benefits
Extra Coarse	Chunky pieces, like peppercorns	Cold brew and cowboy coffee	Allows long steeping without bitterness, perfect for smooth, low-acid coffee
Coarse	Sea salt	French press and percolators	Keeps sediment out of your cup and prevents over-extraction during immersion brewing
Medium-Coarse	Rough Sand	Chemex, clever drippers and café solo brewers	Balances clarity and body, ideal for longer pour-over methods
Medium	Granulated Sugar	Drip coffee makers and siphon brewers	Versatile and balanced, this is the go-to grind for most standard coffee makers
Medium-Fine	Table salt	Pour-over and AeroPress	Offers cleaner flavours and greater control in manual brewing methods
Fine	Caster sugar	Espresso machines	Enables proper pressure and extraction, creating rich, concentrated coffee
Extra Fine	Flour	Turkish coffee	Used for unfiltered coffee where grounds are simmered directly in water

The Benefits of Freshly Ground Coffee

Whole beans stay fresher for longer so grinding just before brewing preserves the potency of the natural oils and aromatic compounds that give coffee its rich, complex flavour. Grinding your coffee to demand allows you to choose the size of the grind, fine-tune strength, aroma, and brewing time for a personalized coffee experience. In addition to quality and taste, freshly ground coffee keeps more of its antioxidants and natural compounds than the pre-ground varieties which see the health benefits degrade over time.

Freshly Ground Coffee in an Instant

At Inglewood Coffee Roasters not only do we produce and deliver our own ground coffee, but we also sell high-quality coffee grinders to complete the experience for die-hard coffee enthusiasts. We manage every step - from sourcing premium beans and roasting to grinding and delivery – guaranteeing unmatched freshness and flavour so our customers can enjoy coffee that’s roasted and ground to perfection.

For those who want to be the master of their own grind, our grinders give you the ability to control your grind size and brewing technique, making every cup your own.

Inglewood Coffee Roasters commitment to quality and convenience means our customers can enjoy café-level excellence in the comfort of their home.