Grind Size Made Simple — And How to Always Remember

Pour over thoughts: 

When I first really got into coffee, I could never remember the difference between fine, medium, and coarse grinds. Coffee wasn’t my job — it was my ritual. Every morning, I was in a rush, just trying to make something drinkable before work. I swear, I think sometimes my grind came out like powder more on Mondays than any other day. Didn’t know how bad I screwed things up until hitting the road and taking that first sip out of my Fellow. 

I always had the end in mind: brew the cup, get out the damn door. But I learned the hard way that the devil is in the details — especially grind size. It makes or breaks your brew. So, I wrote this guide for the old version of me — and maybe for you too. Quick, simple, and easy to remember.

 

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What’s the Difference Between Grind Sizes?

 

1. Fine Grind = Powdered Precision

• Texture: Like powdered sugar or flour
• Used for: Espresso, Moka Pot, Aeropress (short brew time)
• Easy Reminder: “Fast brew? Fine grind.”
• Too fine? Coffee tastes bitter or takes forever to drip
• Not fine enough? Espresso is weak, sour, or runs too fast

 

2. Medium Grind = The Goldilocks Zone

• Texture: Like beach sand or table salt
• Used for: Drip coffee makers, pour-over, siphon
• Easy Reminder: “Medium for the machines.”
• Too fine? Over-extracted, bitter taste
• Too coarse? Sour, fast-draining brew

 

3. Coarse Grind = Chunky and Chill

• Texture: Like sea salt or cracked pepper
• Used for: French Press, Cold Brew, Percolator
• Easy Reminder: “Cold brew? Coarse crew.”
• Too fine? Sludgy or over-extracted
• Too coarse? Flat, weak, or unfinished flavor

 

How to Tell if You Got It Right

 

The Pinch Test

• Fine: Clumps easily like flour
• Medium: Clumps slightly, like damp sand
• Coarse: Falls apart easily, chunky and loose

 

Taste Test

• Sour = Too Coarse (under-extracted)
• Bitter = Too Fine (over-extracted)
• Flat = Inconsistent grind

 

Brew Time Check

• Brew’s too fast? Grind’s too coarse
• Brew’s too slow? Grind’s too fine

 

No Judgment — Here's What You Came For:

 

GRIND SIZE	TEXTURE	BREW METHOD	MEMORY TRICK
Fine	Powdered sugar	Espresso, Moka pot, Aeropress	"Fast brew? Fine grind."
Medium	Sand / Table salt	Drip machines, Pour-over, Siphon	"Medium for the machines."
Coarse	Sea salt / Pebbly	French press, Cold brew, Percolator	"Cold brew? Coarse crew."