French press is easiest when you keep the ratio steady and adjust only grind or steep time. Start at 1:15: 20 g coffee for 300 ml water, 33 g for 500 ml, or 67 g for a 1 liter press.

Common French press outputs

Data table
Press size / water	Coffee at 1:15	Timer target	First adjustment
300 ml	20 g	4:30 including press	Coarser if bitter
500 ml	33.3 g	4:30 including press	Finer if weak
1000 ml	66.7 g	4:30 including press	Pour off grounds after pressing

Use a coarse grind, water around 93 °C, and a four minute steep. If the cup tastes thin, grind a little finer before adding more coffee. If it tastes bitter or chalky, grind coarser and pour the coffee off the grounds after pressing.

After calculating the dose, open the French press guide, run the brew timer, and save the result in the journal so the next batch is easier to compare.

French press ratio FAQ

What ratio should I use for French press?

Start with 1:15 by weight. That means one gram of coffee for every 15 grams or ml of water. Move toward 1:14 for a heavier cup or 1:16 for a lighter one.

Should French press use tablespoons?

Weight is more repeatable. Tablespoons vary by roast and grind, so use them only as a fallback when a scale is not available.