How Many Coffee Beans Per Cup

If you’ve ever wondered how many coffee beans per cup you need, you’re asking the right question. It’s the first step to making a great brew at home. Getting this number right means your coffee will taste balanced, not too weak or too strong. This guide will give you the simple answers and the detailed info you need.

We’ll talk about weight, bean count, and different brewing methods. You’ll learn how a light roast differs from a dark roast. We’ll also cover why your grinder is so important. Let’s get started.

So, let’s answer the core question directly. For one standard 6-ounce cup of coffee, you need about 0.36 ounces or 10 grams of whole beans. That’s roughly 70 to 75 individual coffee beans. This is the golden ratio recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association.

But most of us don’t count beans. We use scoops or a scale. A standard coffee scoop holds about 10 grams of light roast beans. But weight is always more accurate than volume, as you’ll see.

Why the “Golden Ratio” is Your Best Friend

The coffee “Golden Ratio” is 1:18. That means 1 part coffee to 18 parts water. For our standard cup (6 oz of water, which is 177 ml), the math works out to that 10-gram number. You can adjust this to your taste. Prefer a stronger cup? Try a 1:15 ratio. Like it milder? Go for 1:18.

Strong Brew: 1:15 ratio = ~13g of coffee per 6oz cup.
Standard Brew: 1:18 ratio = ~10g of coffee per 6oz cup.
Mild Brew: 1:18 ratio = ~8g of coffee per 6oz cup.

Measuring by Weight vs. Volume

Using a kitchen scale is the best way to ensure consistency. Why? Because coffee beans have different sizes and densities. A scoop of dense, dark roast beans will weigh more than a scoop of fluffy light roast beans. If you use volume alone, your coffee strength will change with every bag.

Invest in a small digital scale. It doesn’t have to be expensive. This one tool will improve your coffee more than any fancy machine.

The Bean Count Curiosity

While we don’t count beans, it’s interesting to know the range. On average, you’ll have:

Light Roast: ~65-70 beans per 10g (denser, smaller)
Dark Roast: ~75-80 beans per 10g (less dense, larger after expanding)

This shows why weight is key. The count can vary by over 10 beans for the same weight!

Adjusting for Your Mug Size

Most mugs today hold 10 to 12 ounces, not 6. Don’t worry, the ratio still works. Just scale it up.

For a 12oz mug (355ml), you want about 20g of coffee beans.
That’s roughly 140-150 beans, following the 1:18 ratio.
Simply double the standard 6-ounce recommendation for a big mug.

How Brew Method Changes the Equation

Not all cups are made the same. The way you brew needs different amounts of coffee. Here’s a quick guide for popular methods.

Drip Coffee Maker (Automatic)

This is the most common method. Use the golden ratio we discussed. For a full pot, remember that a “cup” on a coffee maker is usually 5 ounces, not 8. So a 10-cup pot makes 50 ounces of coffee. You’d need about 83 grams of beans for that.

French Press (Immersion Brew)

French press coffee uses a coarser grind and needs a slightly stronger ratio. Aim for 1:15 to 1:17.

For a 32oz (1 liter) press: Use 60-65 grams of coarsely ground coffee.
For an 16oz (500ml) press: Use 30-33 grams.

The longer steep time with coarse grinds means you need a bit more coffee to extract the right flavor without getting bitter.

Pour Over (V60, Chemex)

Precision is key here. Most pour-over recipes use a ratio between 1:16 and 1:17. A common starting point is 20g of medium-fine ground coffee to 320g (about 11 oz) of water. This makes a flavorful and clean cup. The Chemex often uses a slightly lighter ratio, like 1:18, because of its thick filters.

Espresso

Espresso is in a different league. It uses a fine grind, high pressure, and a small amount of water. A single espresso shot uses 7-9 grams of very finely ground coffee to produce about 1 ounce of liquid. A double shot uses 16-20 grams for 2 ounces. The ratio is much stronger, around 1:2.

AeroPress

The AeroPress is versatile. A standard recipe uses 15-17 grams of medium-fine coffee to 220-260 grams of water (a ratio of about 1:15). But you can make a concentrate and dilute it, which is a popular method. In that case, you might use 18g of coffee to 90g of water, then add hot water after pressing.

The Impact of Roast, Grind, and Bean Type

Several factors change how much coffee you should use, even if the weight stays the same.

Light Roast vs. Dark Roast

Light roast beans are denser. They haven’t expanded as much from heat. This means by volume, a scoop of light roast will have more coffee mass than a scoop of dark roast. If you use a scoop, your light roast coffee will be stronger. By weight, you use the same 10 grams, but you’ll have fewer individual beans with a light roast.

The Critical Role of Your Grind Size

Grind size is maybe the most important variable after ratio. Too fine, and your coffee will be over-extracted and bitter. Too coarse, and it will be weak and sour.

Fine Grind: For espresso. Extracts quickly due to high surface area.
Medium Grind: For drip machines and pour overs. The balanced choice.
Coarse Grind: For French press and cold brew. Extracts slowly.

If you change your grind size, you might need to adjust your dose slightly. A finer grind extracts more efficiently, so you could use a tiny bit less coffee. A coarser grind might need a tiny bit more.

Arabica vs. Robusta

Arabica beans are generally larger and less dense than Robusta beans. Robusta beans are smaller, rounder, and pack more caffeine. If you were to count beans, you’d have more Robusta beans per gram. For flavor, Arabica is preferred for its smooth, complex taste, while Robusta is stronger and more bitter, often used in espresso blends for crema.

Step-by-Step: How to Measure Your Coffee Perfectly

Let’s put this all into a simple, repeatable process.

Choose Your Brew Method. Decide if you’re making drip, pour over, French press, etc.
Determine Your Water Amount. Measure how much water you’ll use in grams or ounces. Remember, 1 gram of water = 1 ml.
Apply the Ratio. Use the 1:18 ratio as a start. Divide your water weight by 18. For a stronger cup, divide by 16 or 15.
Weigh Your Beans. Use your scale to measure the resulting coffee weight in grams.
Grind Fresh. Grind your beans just before brewing, using the correct size for your method.
Brew and Taste. After brewing, taste. If it’s too weak, use more coffee or a finer grind next time. If it’s too bitter, use less coffee or a coarser grind.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even with the right number of beans, things can go wrong. Here’s how to troubleshoot.

Mistake 1: Using Pre-Ground Coffee from the Store

Pre-ground coffee goes stale fast and is ground for a generic drip machine. The flavor will never be optimal. Fix: Buy whole beans and a burr grinder. Grind just before you brew. The difference is night and day.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Water Quality

Your coffee is 98% water. Using tap water with strong chlorine or mineral tastes will ruin good beans. Fix: Use filtered water or bottled spring water. It’s a simple upgrade with huge results.

Mistake 3: Inconsistent Measurements

Using a “scoop” one day and guessing the next leads to unpredictable coffee. Fix: Get that scale. Be consistent with your weight and ratio every single time. Then you can adjust scientifically.

Mistake 4: Using the Wrong Water Temperature

Boiling water (212°F/100°C) can scorch coffee, especially in a pour over. Too-cool water won’t extract properly. Fix: Aim for a water temperature between 195°F and 205°F (90°C to 96°C). Just off the boil is usually perfect.

FAQ: Your Coffee Bean Questions Answered

How many coffee beans are in a pound?

A one-pound bag (454 grams) of coffee contains roughly 3,200 to 3,500 beans on average. This can make around 45 to 50 six-ounce cups of coffee, depending on your ratio.

How many grams of coffee per cup should I use?

For a 6-ounce cup, start with 10 grams. For an 8-ounce mug, start with 13-14 grams. Always adjust to your personal taste from there.

Does the type of coffee bean affect how many per cup?

Yes, but only if you’re counting beans. By weight, the type doesn’t change the amount you use. A gram of Arabica and a gram of Robusta get used the same way, though their flavor profiles are very different.

Can I just use two tablespoons per cup?

Two tablespoons is a common rule of thumb, and it’s roughly equal to 10 grams for a medium grind. However, because tablespoon volume varies with grind size and roast, it’s not as reliable as using a scale for perfect consistency.

How much coffee for 4 cups?

For four 6-ounce cups (24 oz total), you’ll need about 40 grams of coffee beans. For four 8-ounce mugs (32 oz total), you’ll need about 53 grams, following the 1:18 ratio.

How does grind size affect the number of beans?

It doesn’t affect the number of beans or the weight you use. But it dramatically affects the extraction and taste. Using the correct grind size for your brewer is essential to get a good result from your carefully measured beans.

Final Thoughts on Finding Your Perfect Cup

The question of how many coffee beans per cup starts with a simple number: 10 grams. But your perfect cup is personal. Use the golden ratio as your starting point. Then, experiment. Try a slightly finer grind, or use a gram more coffee. Write down what you like.

The most important tools are a scale, a good burr grinder, and fresh beans. With those, and a little practice, you’ll make better coffee than most cafes. Remember, the goal is a cup you enjoy every morning. Now that you know the basics, you can tweak the recipe until it’s just right for you.