Coffee Grind Sizes Explained: The Ultimate Guide for Every Brewing Method

When it comes to brewing the perfect cup of coffee, grind size is just as important as the beans you choose. The way coffee is ground directly affects flavour, aroma, and extraction. Too fine, and you risk bitterness. Too coarse, and your coffee may taste weak and under-extracted.

At Wogan Coffee, we offer a full range of grind types, freshly prepared to match your favourite brewing method. This guide explains the different coffee grind sizes—from espresso to French press—and helps you discover which grind is best for your coffee maker.

Whole Beans (Grind Your Own)

Whole beans give you the freshest possible coffee experience. Grinding beans just before brewing locks in aroma and flavour. With your own grinder, you can adjust grind size depending on whether you’re brewing espresso, cafetière (French press), Chemex, V60, or AeroPress.

Best for: Coffee lovers with a grinder who want maximum freshness and flexibility.

 

Domestic Espresso Grind

Espresso requires a fine grind, with a texture similar to table salt. Domestic espresso grinds are tuned for home machines, creating the right pressure to pull a rich, creamy shot.

Best for: Home baristas with small espresso machines.

 

Commercial Espresso Grind

Professional machines need a slightly different grind—still fine, but calibrated for higher pressure and volume. This grind ensures consistent, café-quality results.

Best for: Cafés, restaurants, and serious home brewers with commercial machines.

 

Cafetière (French Press) Grind

The best grind size for French press is coarse, like sea salt. A coarse grind prevents over-extraction and keeps grounds from slipping through the filter, producing a bold, full-bodied brew. 

Best for: Coffee drinkers who love rich, heavy-bodied coffee.

Stovetop (Moka Pot) Grind

Moka pots sit between espresso and filter coffee. They work best with a medium-fine grind—finer than filter, but not as fine as espresso. This balance builds enough pressure for strong, espresso-like coffee without clogging the filter.

Best for: Strong, concentrated coffee at home.

Filter Machine Grind

Filter (or drip) coffee machines need a medium grind—similar in texture to sand. This allows water to flow evenly through the coffee, creating a smooth, balanced brew.

Best for: Everyday coffee drinkers who use electric filter coffee makers.

V60 Grind (Pour-Over)

The V60 pour-over requires a medium-fine grind. The spiral design encourages even extraction, highlighting bright, fruity, and floral notes.

Best for: Coffee lovers who enjoy clarity, balance, and precision brewing.

Chemex Grind

The Chemex uses a medium-fine grind, very similar to the V60 but slightly coarser. Because Chemex filters are thicker, water flows more slowly, producing a clean, crisp, tea-like cup.

Best for: Those who prefer a smooth, elegant coffee with minimal bitterness.

AeroPress Grind

The AeroPress is versatile, but a medium-fine grind works best for most recipes. Adjust finer for espresso-style brews, or coarser for lighter, filter-style coffee.

Best for: Experimenters who like to tweak their brewing.

Getting the grind right is one of the most important steps in brewing. Whether you love the rich body of French-press coffee, the clarity of a V60 pour-over, or the intensity of espresso, Wogan Coffee can grind your beans fresh for your chosen method—or send them whole so you can experiment at home.

By understanding the difference between grind sizes, you’ll unlock the full potential of your coffee.