This comparison lines up each grind size with its brew method and brewing time, showing why finer grinds pair with faster brews.
| Grind | Brew method | Brew time |
|---|---|---|
| Extra coarse | Cold brew | 12 to 24 hr |
| Coarse | French press | 4 min |
| Medium-coarse | Chemex | 4 to 5 min |
| Medium | Drip, pour over | 3 to 4 min |
| Medium-fine | AeroPress | 1 to 2 min |
| Fine | Espresso | 25 to 30 sec |
| Extra fine | Turkish | At the boil |
Time and grind move together. The shorter the contact time, the finer the grind needs to be to extract enough. Espresso is fast and fine; cold brew is slow and coarse.
See the Coffee Grind Size Chart and the Coffee Brewing Methods Chart.