To make French press coffee, add coarsely ground coffee and hot water at a 1:16 ratio, stir, steep for 4 minutes, then press the plunger down slowly and pour. That single method gives you a rich, full-bodied cup with very little equipment and no paper filters.
The French press is one of the easiest ways to brew great coffee at home. It uses full immersion, which means the grounds sit in the water the whole time instead of dripping through a filter. The result is a heavier, more textured cup than pour-over or drip. Below is exactly what you need, the ratio to use, and the full step-by-step process.
What you need to make French press coffee
You only need a handful of items, and most kitchens already have half of them.
- A French press. Any size works. Common sizes are 3-cup (350 ml), 4-cup (500 ml), and 8-cup (1 litre).
- Fresh coffee beans. Whole beans stay fresh far longer than pre-ground. See our guide on how to store coffee beans to keep them at their best.
- A burr grinder. Grind consistency matters more than almost anything else here. Our roundup of the best burr grinders for home covers options at every budget.
- A kettle. A gooseneck kettle gives you more control, but any kettle works.
- A kitchen scale (optional but recommended). Weighing your coffee and water is the fastest way to get a consistent cup.
The best French press coffee ratio
The best ratio for French press coffee is 1:16, meaning 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams (or millilitres) of water. This gives a balanced cup that is strong without being overwhelming. Adjust up to 1:15 for a stronger brew or down to 1:17 for a milder one.
| Serving | Water | Coffee (at 1:16) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 large mug | 350 ml | 22 g |
| Small press (3-cup) | 500 ml | 31 g |
| Large press (8-cup) | 1000 ml | 62 g |
If you do not own a scale, a rough guide is 2 tablespoons of coffee per 250 ml of water. A scale is more accurate, though, and it is the single best upgrade for consistency.
How to make French press coffee step by step
Follow these six steps for a clean, full-bodied cup every time.
- Boil your water and let it settle. Heat water to just off the boil, around 93°C (200°F). Boiling water can scorch the grounds and add bitterness, so wait about 30 seconds after it boils.
- Grind your coffee coarse. Aim for a texture like coarse sea salt or breadcrumbs. Grind that is too fine slips through the mesh and leaves sludge in your cup.
- Add coffee and start your timer. Put the grounds in the empty press, pour in twice their weight in water to wet them, and let them bloom for 30 seconds. This releases trapped gas and improves flavour.
- Pour the rest of the water and stir. Add the remaining water, give it a gentle stir with a wooden or plastic spoon, then set the lid on top with the plunger pulled all the way up.
- Steep for 4 minutes. This is the classic steep time and a reliable starting point. Longer steeping pulls out more strength and, eventually, more bitterness.
- Press slowly and pour. Push the plunger down in one steady, gentle motion. Pour all of the coffee out right away so it does not keep brewing in the pot.
Common French press mistakes to avoid
Small habits make a big difference in the final cup. Watch out for these:
- Grinding too fine. This is the number one cause of muddy, over-extracted coffee. Keep it coarse.
- Using water that is too hot. Straight-off-the-boil water scorches the grounds. Let it rest first.
- Letting it sit after plunging. Coffee left on the grounds keeps extracting and turns bitter. Decant it immediately.
- Skipping the clean-up. Old coffee oils go stale and taint your next brew.
If your coffee still tastes off, our guide on why your coffee tastes bitter walks through the fixes.
How to clean a French press
Rinse the carafe and plunger with warm water after every brew, and unscrew the mesh filter to clear out trapped grounds. Once a week, wash the parts with a little dish soap to strip away built-up coffee oils. A clean press is one of the simplest ways to keep your coffee tasting fresh.
Frequently asked questions
How long should you steep French press coffee? Steep French press coffee for 4 minutes. This is the standard time for balanced extraction. Steep a little longer for a stronger cup, but going much past 5 minutes usually adds bitterness.
What grind size is best for a French press? A coarse grind is best, similar to sea salt or breadcrumbs. A coarse grind stops fine particles slipping through the metal mesh, which keeps your cup clean and free of sludge.
Can you use pre-ground coffee in a French press? Yes, but look for coffee labelled coarse or specifically for French press. Standard pre-ground coffee is usually too fine, which leads to grit in the cup and over-extraction.
Is French press coffee stronger than drip coffee? French press coffee tends to taste fuller and heavier because the metal filter lets natural oils and fine particles through. Whether it is “stronger” depends mostly on your coffee-to-water ratio, not the method itself.
Do you need a special kettle for French press? No. Any kettle works. A gooseneck kettle gives you more pouring control, which helps, but it is not required for a good cup.
Next steps
Now that you have French press down, try dialling in your ratio with our full coffee-to-water ratio guide, or branch out into another immersion-free method with our pour-over coffee guide for beginners.
