The rule: 1 to 2 level tablespoons per 6 fl oz
The National Coffee Association's drip coffee guide gives the guideline as "1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water". Start in the middle, 1.5 level tablespoons, then add or remove half a tablespoon to taste. "Level" matters: a heaped spoon can hold half as much again.
The Specialty Coffee Association standard, as described by Seattle Coffee Gear, is about 55 g per litre. For 6 fl oz (177 ml) that is about 9.7 g, or roughly 1.6 level tablespoons at 6 g, so it falls inside the NCA range.
Tablespoons, grams and scoops by amount of water
| Water | Level tablespoons | Grams (≈ 6 g each) | Scoops (2 tbsp) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 fl oz (1 coffee-maker cup) | 1–2 | ≈ 6–12 g | 0.5–1 |
| 12 fl oz | 2–4 | ≈ 12–24 g | 1–2 |
| 24 fl oz | 4–8 | ≈ 24–48 g | 2–4 |
| 36 fl oz | 6–12 | ≈ 36–72 g | 3–6 |
| 48 fl oz | 8–16 | ≈ 48–96 g | 4–8 |
| 60 fl oz | 10–20 | ≈ 60–120 g | 5–10 |
| 72 fl oz | 12–24 | ≈ 72–144 g | 6–12 |
National Coffee Association guideline: 1 to 2 level tablespoons per 6 fl oz of water. Grams use 6 g per level tablespoon and are approximate. Last checked 2026-11-04.
Convert your own amount
Tablespoon, scoop and gram converter
- Level tablespoons
- 2–4
- Grams (≈ 6 g each)
- 12–24
- Scoops of 2 tbsp
- 1–2
For 12 fl oz of water, the National Coffee Association range. Start near the middle, then adjust to taste.
Uses the NCA range and 6 g per level tablespoon (sources disagree: about 5 to 7 g). A scale is more exact. Without JavaScript, use the table.
Why we say 5 to 7 g, and use 6 g
Published sources disagree on what a tablespoon of ground coffee weighs. Stumptown pairs 56 g with 8 tablespoons (7 g each); Home Grounds pairs 16 to 17 g with 2.5 tablespoons (about 6.5 g); other guides use 5 g. Grind size, roast and how you level the spoon all change it. We use 6 g and show results with "≈". A kitchen scale removes the guesswork: see how many grams of coffee per cup.
Tablespoons are a drip rule: other methods differ
The 1 to 2 tablespoon guideline is for drip coffee. French press, pour over and cold brew use different ratios; see French press ratio, pour over ratio and the coffee ratio calculator. For a coffee maker with a "12 cup" label, read drip coffee ratio.