Espresso Grind Size Guide: How to Find the Perfect Grind Size for Espresso

The proper espresso grind size is very fine, similar to fine table salt. But let’s be honest—this definition can still feel vague for many people.

What Is the Proper Espresso Grind Size?

Let’s clarify the espresso grind size even further: the ideal espresso grind allows you to brew a shot with a 1:2 ratio (for example, 18 grams of coffee grounds giving you 36 grams of espresso) within 25–30 seconds using a standard espresso machine. This ensures balanced flavor and optimal extraction.

Forget about those grind size charts you’ve seen online. The best way to find your perfect grind is by experimenting with your own coffee grinder, beans, and espresso machine. Test shots and adjustments will help you dial in the right grind size for your unique setup.

How to Dial In Your Espresso Grind Size

Dialing in means adjusting the brewing parameters including your grind until you get it just right.

1. Start with a fine setting (check your grinder manual for the recommended espresso range).

2. Brew a test shot and observe how quickly the espresso flows:

If your shot pulls too fast (under 25 seconds), your grind is likely too coarse. Adjust your grinder finer.

If your shot pulls too slow (over 35 seconds) or clogs, your grind is probably too fine. Adjust coarser.

3. Make small adjustments until you consistently achieve a steady flow within the ideal 25–30 second range.

Always taste-test your espresso. A properly extracted shot should taste rich and balanced—not overly bitter (over-extracted) or sour (under-extracted).

Once you've found that sweet spot, you can further refine flavor by tweaking dosage or brew temperature slightly.

Why Grind Size Matters in Espresso

Grind size directly impacts extraction time, flavor balance, and crema quality. A finer grind provides the necessary resistance and slows water flow, allowing more flavors to be extracted under pressure. This creates a balanced taste and thick crema—the creamy layer on top of good espresso.

If the grind is too coarse, water passes through quickly, resulting in weak, sour-tasting espresso without much crema.

If it's too fine, water struggles to pass through, or goes  through the less dense part (channeling),  causing bitter flavors from over-extraction.

Finding the right balance ensures each shot tastes rich and smooth with pleasant sweetness and acidity.

How Bean Type and Freshness Affect Your Espresso Grind Settings

Espresso grind size isn't fixed—it changes depending on bean type and freshness. 

Roast levels

Dark roasted beans are roasted longer, making them more brittle and easier to extract flavor from quickly. Because of this brittleness, you'll need a slightly coarser grind to avoid over-extraction and bitterness.

On the other hand, lighter roasted beans are denser and less porous due to shorter roasting times. They require finer grinds to increase surface area and extract their flavors effectively.

Freshness Also Matters

Freshly roasted coffee beans release carbon dioxide gas during brewing, affecting water flow through the grounds. To compensate for this gas release with fresh beans (within about 7–10 days of roasting), use a slightly coarser grind setting.

As beans age beyond two weeks after roasting, they lose gas pressure; you'll need a finer grind to maintain proper extraction.

Espresso Grinds for Pressurized vs Non-Pressurized Baskets

Your espresso machine's basket type influences ideal grind size significantly.

Non-pressurized baskets require finer grinds because they rely entirely on your machine's pressure combined with proper puck preparation (grind consistency and tamping) to create resistance during brewing. These baskets produce richer flavors but demand precise grind size.

Pressurized baskets have built-in mechanisms that artificially generate brewing pressure through small holes at the basket bottom—creating tiny bubbles resembling crema.

They're beginner-friendly because they work well even with slightly coarser grinds. While easier to use (especially with stepped grinders that have fewer adjustment options), pressurized baskets typically produce less nuanced flavors compared to non-pressurized baskets.

 

Choosing the Right Grinder for Espresso

A good grinder is essential for consistent espresso quality because it ensures uniform particle sizes necessary for proper extraction.

Burr grinders—either flat or conical—are best because they crush beans uniformly rather than chopping them unevenly like blade grinders.

Adjustability matters too: grinders offering multiple increments let you precisely dial in your grind size.

Stepped grinders have preset increments; sometimes these increments can be large enough that one step adjustment might be too coarse or too fine.

Stepless grinders offer infinite adjustments, allowing micro-fine tuning of your espresso shots' flavor profiles.

Electric or Manual - Electric grinders make grinding quicker and easier than manual ones—especially when grinding finely enough for espresso—but manual grinders can also work if you're patient enough for regular use.

Quick Reference Table: Grind Sizes by Brewing Method

After reading this article, you should now have a clear understanding of the proper espresso grind size and how to adjust it for your unique setup.

To help you further, we’ve included a grind size chart for other brewing methods as a general reference. Keep in mind that these are rough guidelines—you’ll need to test and fine-tune based on your grinder and preferences.