Moka Pot Grind Size
Use the tool below to quickly find the right grind settings for a moka pot — or read on for more information about moka pot grind sizes.
Table of contents
The best grind size for a moka pot
For a Moka pot, a coffee grind size slightly finer than table salt but coarser than flour, somewhere between 360-660
microns(μm) — This is fine enough to generate sufficient pressure in the lower chamber, producing the signature moka pot coffee, with its higher extraction, balance, and flavor. While coarse enough to not clog the moka pot filter.
There is room for some grind adjustment if you want more control over your brewing process and achieving the taste you desire — however, compared to other brewing methods, the grind size range is much more limited.
What pre-ground coffee should I use for a moka pot?
While freshly ground coffee is preferred for achieving the best possible flavour, pre-ground coffee can still yield a nice cup of coffee in a Moka pot
Just ensure that the grind size matches the recommendations for moka pot brewing, typically a fine grind, and store the pre-ground coffee in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Some of the best pre-ground coffee for moka pots come vacuum packed. This packaging method helps preserve the coffee’s freshness and flavour for much longer.
Can I use an espresso grind size for a moka pot?
No — In most cases, an espresso grind size is too fine for a moka pot, and can lead to over-extraction and clogging of the filter. The resulting coffee will taste very bitter and over-whelming.
How about a coarse grind for a moka pot?
It’s recommended that you use a grind that is slightly coarser than espresso, but you can use a much more coarse grind — like grounds used for pour over — and get some interesting results. It creates a more watery and weaker coffee, but with less bitterness and a cleaner flavour profile.
Try a coarser setting on your grinder than you normally would for a moka pot. Although it won’t result in the more traditional stovetop drink, you may like the lighter consistency and body.
What should I do if my Moka pot coffee tastes bitter or sour?
If it tastes too bitter:
- Increase grind size — Bitterness often results from over-extraction. If your coffee is bitter, try using a coarser grind. This reduces the surface area of the coffee, which lowers the contact of water with bitter compounds that otherwise would be extracted.
- Reduce temperature — Ensure that you’re not using excessively high heat on your hob or stove, as hot water increases the rate of extraction — Lowering the heat will lengthen the brew time.
If it tastes too sour:
- Reduce grind size — Sourness often indicates under-extraction. Try using a finer grind to increase the coffee’s contact time with hot water and improve extraction.
- Increase brewing temperature — Ensure that the heat is strong enough that the temperature of the water is high. If the flame is too small or the the heat too low, it may result in under-extraction. Increasin the heat will shorten the brew time.
Achieving the perfect brew with a Moka pot may require some experimentation. Start with small adjustments to grind size, brewing temperature and brewing time until you find the right balance.
Should I use different grind sizes for different sizes of moka pot?
![A chart of different sized Bialetti Moka Express moka pots going in size order.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/iez3znxw/production/af9996ee99b0870510084ea03ebf9228c614cc0d-3000x1200.png?w=2600&fm=png)
You should, but it’s not vital.
Smaller Moka pots (1-3 cups
) typically benefit from a finer grind, while larger ones (over 6 cups)
may require a coarser grind.
- Small moka pots have less water traveling through the coffee grounds, so a slightly finer grind helps achieve the right balance between brew time and extraction, preventing under-extraction.
- Large moka pots have more water passing through the grounds, and a coarser grind helps avoid over-extraction, where the coffee can become bitter.
Tweaking the grind size to match the size of you moka pot isn’t vital. You can use the same grind size for all model sizes — Just make sure to reduce the coffee to water ratio for larger moka pots.
Are there any specific grind size recommendations for dark and light roasted coffee for a Moka pot?
While there are big differences between dark and light roasts, these differences are better emphasised by other brewing methods, like pour-over or French press, where grind size and other variables have a more noticeable impact on the final cup.
But there is typically no need for one type of roast to be coarser than the other for a moka pot. Large adjustments in grind size to compensate for roast level can lead to undesirable tastes.
If you’re trying new roast levels, we recommend whatever setting you usually use, and adjust after tasting if it needs improvement.
Moka pot grind settings table
Here's all the grinder settings from the tool at the beginning of the article in a neat table. Find the correct moka pot settings for over 200 grinders, by brand and model. If your grinder isn't on the list, send us an email and we'll add it.
Brand | Model | Settings | Units |
---|---|---|---|
1Zpresso | J-Max | 1.4.7 – 2.6.9 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | J-Max S | 1.4.7 – 2.6.9 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | J-Ultra | 1.4.7 – 2.6.8 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | JE | 2.1.0 – 3.7.2 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | JX | 1.3.1 – 2.4.1 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | JX S | 1.3.1 – 2.4.1 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | JX-Pro | 1.9.3 – 3.6.0 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | JX-Pro S | 1.9.3 – 3.6.0 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | K-Max | 0.4.5 – 0.8.2 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | K-Plus | 0.4.4 – 0.7.9 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | K-Pro | 0.4.5 – 0.8.2 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | K-Ultra | 0.4.8 – 0.8.6 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | Q-Air | 1.0.2 – 1.9.1 | |
1Zpresso | Q2 (Heptagonal burrs) | 1.0.2 – 1.9.1 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | Q2 (Pentagonal burrs) | 1.0.2 – 1.9.1 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | Q2 S | 1.0.2 – 1.9.1 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | X-Pro | 1.1.0 – 2.0.7 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | X-Pro S | 1.1.0 – 2.0.7 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | X-Ultra | 1.1.2 – 2.1.0 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | ZP6 | 0.0.0 – 0.1.8 | Rotations from zero |
1Zpresso | ZP6 Special | 0.0.0 – 0.3.1 | Rotations from zero |
Acaia | Orbit | 4.9 – 8.8 | Rotations from zero |
Anfim | Best | 4 – 10.8 | |
Balmuda | Coffee Mill | 6 – 10 | Clicks from zero |
Baratza | Encore | 5 – 17 | |
Baratza | Encore ESP | 12 – 24 | |
Baratza | Forté AP | 2L – 5R | |
Baratza | Forté BG | 2L – 5R | |
Baratza | Maestro | 9 – 23 | |
Baratza | Maestro Plus | 9 – 23 | |
Baratza | Preciso | 7H – 19K | |
Baratza | Sette 270 | 7 – 18 | |
Baratza | Sette 270 W | 7 – 18 | |
Baratza | Sette 270 Wi | 7 – 18 | |
Baratza | Sette 30 | 7 – 18 | |
Baratza | Starbucks Barista | 9 – 23 | |
Baratza | Vario | 2K – 5P | |
Baratza | Vario W | 2K – 5P | |
Baratza | Vario W+ | 2J – 5O | |
Baratza | Vario+ | 2J – 5O | |
Baratza | Virtuoso | 8 – 20 | |
Baratza | Virtuoso+ | 7 – 18 | |
Barista & Co | Core All Grind | 8 – 22 | |
Barista Space | Premium Coffee Hand Grinder | 16 – 28 | Clicks from zero |
BelleLife | Electric Coffee Grinder | 7 – 18 | |
Bentwood | Vertical 63 | 360 – 660 | |
Bodum | Bistro 10903 | FINE – 4 | Number of dots |
Breville (Sage) | The Dose Control Pro | 17 – 44 | |
Breville (Sage) | The Smart Grinder Pro | 17 – 44 | |
Cafflano | Grinder | 7 – 1+3 | Rotations from zero |
Capresso | Infinity | 3 – 7 | |
Capresso | Infinity Plus | 3 – 7 | |
Comandante | C40 MK4 | 14 – 24 | Clicks from zero |
Comandante | C40 MK4 (with Red Clix) | 27 – 48 | Clicks from zero |
Comandante | C60 Baracuda | 19 – 33 | Clicks from zero |
Comandante | C60 Baracuda (with Gold Clix) | 37 – 66 | Clicks from zero |
Comandante | X25 Trailmaster | 14 – 24 | Clicks from zero |
Comandante | X25 Trailmaster (with Red Clix) | 27 – 48 | Clicks from zero |
Compak | K3 Push | 3 – 11 | |
Compak | K3 Touch | 3 – 11 | |
Compak | K3 Touch Advanced | 3 – 11 | |
Cores | Cone Grinder C330 | 1.25 – 3.5 | |
Cuisinart | CBM-18 | 1 – 3 | |
Cuisinart | DBM-8 | 1 – 3 | Number of dots |
De'Longhi | KG79 | 0 – 5 | Clicks |
De'Longhi | KG89 | 0 – 5 | Clicks |
Epeios | Essense Go | 8 – 27 | |
Etzinger | etz-I (Regular) | 5.5 – 11.75 | |
Etzinger | etz-I (Trim) | 5.5 – 11.75 | |
Etzinger | etz-U | 5.5 – 11.75 | |
Eureka | Atom 60 | 5 – 11.5 | Numbers from zero |
Eureka | Drogheria MCD4 | 2.5 – 5.6 | |
Eureka | Mignon Classico | 2 – 4.5 | Rotations from zero |
Eureka | Mignon Oro | 7 – 18.1 | Numbers from zero |
Eureka | Mignon Oro XL | 7 – 18.1 | Numbers from zero |
Eureka | Mignon Silenzio | 3.5 – 1+3 | Rotations from zero |
Eureka | Mignon Specialità | 3.5 – 1+3 | Rotations from zero |
Fellow | Ode Brew Grinder Gen 1 | 1 – 2 | |
Fellow | Ode Brew Grinder Gen 2 | 2 – 5.1 | |
Fellow | Opus | 2.5 – 5.5 | |
Fiorenzato | Pietro | 2.6 – 6.5 | |
Fiorenzato (Sanremo) | Allground | 28 – 63 | Number of Dots |
Fiorenzato (Sanremo) | Allground Sense | 28 – 63 | Number of Dots |
Flair Espresso | Royal Grinder | 9 – 16.5 | Numbers from zero |
Fuji Royal | R-220 | 2 – 5 | |
Goat Story | Arco | 1/0 – 1/49 | Rotations from zero |
Handground | Precision Coffee Grinder | 0.5 – 1.5 | |
Hario | Mini Mill PLUS | 4 – 8 | Clicks from zero |
Hario | Mini Mill Slim | 4 – 8 | Clicks from zero |
Hario | Mini Mill Slim PRO | 4 – 8 | Clicks from zero |
Hario | Skerton | 2 – 3 | Notches from zero |
Hario | Skerton PLUS | 2 – 3 | Notches from zero |
Hario | Skerton PRO | 2 – 3 | Notches from zero |
Hario | Smart-G | 3 – 5 | Clicks from zero |
Hario | V60 EVC-8B | 2 – 4.5 | |
Hario | V60 EVCG-8B-E | 4 – 26 | |
Helor | 101 | 21 – 37 | Clicks from zero |
Helor | 106 Flux | 0.8.8 – 1.3.8 | Rotations from zero |
HeyCafé | H1 | 2.4 – 4.7 | |
Hongbei | Coffee Grinder | 9 – 15 | Clicks from zero |
JavaPresse | Manual Coffee Grinder | 4 – 8 | |
Joy Resolve | Groove Compact | 5 – 14 | Clicks from zero |
Kaldi | Ceramic Coffee Mill | 0.3 – 0.4 | Rotations from zero |
Kalita | C-90 | 1 – 2 | |
Kalita | DIA Coffee Mill | 0.5 – 0.5 | Rotations from zero |
Kalita | Next G | 1 – 3 | Dots |
Kalita | Nice Cut G | 1 – 2 | |
Kanso | Hiku | 0.95 – 1.65 | |
KINGrinder | K0 | 49 – 89 | Clicks from zero |
KINGrinder | K1 | 49 – 89 | Clicks from zero |
KINGrinder | K2 | 49 – 89 | Clicks from zero |
KINGrinder | K3 | 49 – 89 | Clicks from zero |
KINGrinder | K4 | 0.43 – 1.18 | Rotations from zero |
KINGrinder | K5 | 49 – 89 | Clicks from zero |
KINGrinder | K6 | 0.43 – 1.18 | Rotations from zero |
KINGrinder | P0 | 34 – 61 | Number of clicks |
KINGrinder | P1 | 34 – 61 | Number of clicks |
KINGrinder | P2 | 34 – 61 | Number of clicks |
Kinu | M47 Classic | 2.2 – 4 | Rotations from zero |
Kinu | M47 Phoenix | 2.2 – 4 | Rotations from zero |
Kinu | M47 Simplicity | 2.2 – 4 | Rotations from zero |
Kinu | M47 Traveller | 2.2 – 4 | Rotations from zero |
KitchenAid | Artisan Coffee Grinder 5KCG0702 | 7 – 5 | |
KitchenAid | Coffee Grinder 5KCG8433 | 60 – 38 | |
Knock | Aergrind | 1.4 – 2.5 | Rotations from zero |
Knock | Feld2 | 1.4 – 2.4 | Rotations from zero |
Knock | Feldgrind | 1.4 – 2.5 | Rotations from zero |
Krups | GVX1 | 1 – 9 | Number of dots |
Krups | GVX2 | 1 – 9 | Number of dots |
Krups | GX5000 | 1 – 4 | |
Krups | GX6000 | 1 – 4 | Number of dots |
Mahlkönig | EK43 (0-16) | 4.7 – 12.3 | Rotations from zero |
Mahlkönig | EK43 (1-11) | 5.7 – 1.2.2 | Rotations from zero |
Mahlkönig | EK43 S | 4.7 – 12.3 | Rotations from zero |
Mahlkönig | GH2 (HC880) | 5 – 9 | Number of lines |
Mahlkönig | VTA 6S | 4 – 8 | |
Mahlkönig | VTA 6S W | 4 – 8 | |
Mahlkönig | X54 | 7.5 – 22 | |
Mazzer | ZM | 360 – 660 | Microns from zero |
Mazzer | ZM Plus | 360 – 660 | Microns from zero |
Melitta | Calibra | 1 – 10 | |
Melitta | Molino | 4 – 8 | |
MHW-3BOMBER | Blade R3 | 7 – 1+5.2 | Rotations from zero |
MiiCoffee | D40+ | 2.4 – 5 | |
Moccamaster | KM5 | 1 – 3 | |
montwave | GU2 | 8 – 13 | Clicks from zero |
Mueller | Ultra-Grind | 1 – 2.1 | |
Niche | Zero | 0.30 – 0.53 | Rotations from zero |
Option-O | Lagom Mini (Moonshine burrs) | 36 – 66 | Dots from zero |
Option-O | Lagom Mini (Obsidian burrs) | 51 – 93 | Dots from zero |
Option-O | Lagom P64 | 1.2 – 4.1 | |
Orphan Espresso | Lido OG | 400-40 – 700-40 | |
OXO | Conical Burr Coffee Grinder | 3.2 – 8 | |
Pinecone | Pinion | 2 – 11 | Clicks from zero |
Porlex | Mini | 4 – 5 | Clicks from zero |
Porlex | Mini II | 7 – 11 | Clicks from zero |
Porlex | Tall | 4 – 5 | Clicks from zero |
Porlex | Tall II | 7 – 11 | Clicks from zero |
Precision | GS30 | 2 – 5 | |
Rancilio | Rocky | 10 – 27 | |
Rancilio | Rocky SD | 10 – 27 | |
ROK | GrinderGC | 6 – 14 | Clicks from zero |
Saint Anthony Industries | Millwright Hand Grinder | 26 – 46 | Clicks from zero |
Smeg | CGF01 | 4 – 13 | |
Smeg | CGF11 | 4 – 13 | |
Timemore | C2 | 12 – 20 | Clicks from zero |
Timemore | C2 Fold | 12 – 20 | Clicks from zero |
Timemore | C2 Max | 12 – 20 | Clicks from zero |
Timemore | C2 Max Pro | 12 – 20 | Clicks from zero |
Timemore | C3 | 10 – 17 | Clicks from zero |
Timemore | C3 ESP | 1.1 – 1.9.1 | Rotations from zero |
Timemore | C3 ESP Pro | 1.1 – 1.9.1 | Rotations from zero |
Timemore | C3 Max | 10 – 17 | Clicks from zero |
Timemore | C3 Max Pro | 10 – 17 | Clicks from zero |
Timemore | C3 Pro | 10 – 17 | Clicks from zero |
Timemore | C3S | 10 – 17 | Clicks from zero |
Timemore | C3S Pro | 10 – 17 | Clicks from zero |
Timemore | Chestnut X | 7.6 – 15.4 | Rotations from zero |
Timemore | G1 | 10 – 18 | Clicks from zero |
Timemore | G1 Plus | 10 – 18 | Clicks from zero |
Timemore | Millab E01 | 1.1 – 1.9.1 | Clicks from zero |
Timemore | Nano | 14 – 24 | Clicks from zero |
Timemore | S3 | 0.4 – 3.8 | Clicks from zero |
Timemore | Sculptor 064 | 0 – 5 | |
Timemore | Sculptor 064S | 2.5 – 8.5 | |
Timemore | Sculptor 078 | 0 – 5.5 | |
Timemore | Sculptor 078S | 2.3 – 7.6 | |
Timemore | Slim | 12 – 20 | Rotations from zero |
Turin | DF54 | 29 – 62 | |
Turin | DF64 | 18 – 43 | |
Turin | DF64 (Gen 2) | 19 – 49 | |
Turin | DF64V | 26 – 55 | |
Turin | DF83 | 27 – 58 | |
Turin | DF83V | 21 – 46 | |
Turin | SD40 V1 | 6.4 – 12.4 | |
Turin | SD40 V2 | 6.4 – 12.4 | |
Varia | Evo Hybrid | 48 – 1+37 | |
Varia | Hand grinder | 22 – 39 | Clicks from zero |
Varia | VS3 (Gen 1) | 3.1 – 7.8 | Numbers from zero |
Varia | VS3 (Gen 2) | 3.1 – 7.8 | Numbers from zero |
Vevok Chef | 06 | 1 – 2 | |
Vevok Chef | 06 Slim | 1 – 2 | |
VSSL | JAVA | 0 – 13 | Clicks from zero |
Wacaco | Exagrind | 16 – 38 | Clicks from zero |
Weber Workshops | EG-1 | +7.2 – +13.2 | Numbers from burr lock position |
Weber Workshops | KEY Mk1 | 1.2.4 – 2.1.4 | |
Wilfa | Balance | 2 – 12 | |
Wilfa | Svart | 3 – 8 | Number of dots |
Wilfa | Svart Aroma | 3 – 8 | Number of dots |
Wilfa | Uniform | 9 – 23 | |
Zwilling | Enfinigy Coffee Grinder | 23 – 73 |