Grind Sizes Guide

THE ULTIMATE 2026 GUIDE TO COFFEE GRIND SIZES FOR EVERY BREW METHOD (HOME & COMMERCIAL)

If you’ve ever brewed a cup of coffee that tasted too bitter, too weak, sour, hollow, or just strangely “off,” there’s a strong chance the problem wasn’t your beans, your water, or your equipment, it was your grind size.

In 2026, more Australians than ever are brewing coffee at home and in workplaces. Whether it’s a tiny office using filter drip machines or a café pouring commercial cold brew by the keg, your grind size decides everything: flavour, extraction level, brewing time, aroma, crema, and even how much coffee you waste.

This guide breaks it all down so you can brew like a pro, no matter what machine or method you use, from espresso machines and moka pots to Aeropress, French press, cold brew, commercial brewers and more.

Let’s make every cup in 2026 your best cup yet.

Why Grind Size Matters (More Than You Think)

Coffee is simply flavour trapped inside soluble oils. Grinding exposes those oils to water so they can be extracted into your cup.

• Grind too fine → Over-extraction: bitter, harsh, dry mouthfeel

• Grind too coarse → Under-extraction: sour, weak, flat, watery

• Grind just right → Balanced flavour: rich body, sweet notes, smooth finish

Your beans can be premium, fresh, organic and roasted to perfection… but if you grind wrong, you ruin them.

Want fresh, locally roasted beans for the perfect grind? Check out Coffee Hero’s Wholesale, Organic Coffee Beans Sydney selection here:
https://coffeehero.com.au/pages/wholesale?srsltid=AfmBOop_YP5vtmx4RH9pyvlTovo5vFFQGehnTgNjEZ8TuhjOvAkltrYO

2026 Grind Size Chart for Every Brew Method

Home & Commercial Brewing: Detailed Grind Breakdown

Espresso Machines (Home & Commercial)

Grind: Fine

Espresso needs high pressure and short extraction time. Finer grind allows extraction in 25–30 seconds, delivering crema and concentrated flavour.

🎯 Indicators your grind is wrong:

• Too fine → espresso drips slowly, tastes burnt/bitter

• Too coarse → runs too fast, tastes sour, weak

💡 If you’re using a commercial setup, match the grind with your Commercial Coffee Machine’s pressure and basket size.
Browse machines here: https://coffeehero.com.au/collections/commercial-coffee-machines?srsltid=AfmBOopXKdtymtNu6OyDZ707Csk6kqlh55mn1xPaykhEhqHokgIrzdIA

Aeropress

Grind: Medium-Fine → Medium (depends on recipe)

Aeropress is versatile and extremely popular in offices and homes in Australia. It can mimic espresso or produce a cleaner filter-style cup.

Learn how to brew the perfect Aeropress 

French Press / Plunger

Grind: Coarse

A finer grind makes the brew muddy and over-extracted. Coarse grind produces a clean, richer texture.

Mistake to avoid:
Leaving your coffee sitting in the press after brewing, it over-extracts.

Cold Brew (Keg, Concentrate & Homebrew)

Grind: Extra Coarse

Cold brew requires 8–24 hours steeping. A fine grind will make it bitter and sludgy. Extra coarse gives a smooth, chocolatey flavor profile.

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Drip Machine / Filter

Grind: Medium

A medium grind helps the water pass evenly through the grounds, creating a balanced flavour for office and home brewers.

Offices using drip brewers should bulk-order beans and equipment together:
https://coffeehero.com.au/collections/equipments?srsltid=AfmBOoraH0j2T6EsUtD39sA59eNR2mc1QQvd2VI6Y13-7ThdCRDCHkJI#

Moka Pot

Grind: Fine-Medium (Not espresso-fine)

Too fine will clog the pot and produce burnt flavours. Aim for just slightly finer than Aeropress.

What Beans Grind Best? (2026 Recommendations)

Your grind size will only work properly if your beans are:

✔ Freshly roasted
✔ High-quality
✔ Not oily/stale

Coffee Hero’s KICKSTART Medium to Dark Roast Blend is ideal for espresso, moka and milk-based drinks.

Should You Grind at Home or Buy Pre-Ground?

 Verdict:
If you care about flavour, always grind fresh.

Want to invest in a grinder but need payment flexibility? Coffee Hero offers Afterpay:
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Choosing Grind Size for Commercial Delivery & Shipping

Whether you’re buying bulk beans or brewers for your company, knowing your grind matters for shipping:

• Fine espresso grounds compact more → heavier per bag

• Coarse cold brew takes more space → costs more to ship

See shipping policies here:
https://coffeehero.com.au/pages/shipping?srsltid=AfmBOopklTX6B1tyJc5dhzAE86WTRMKx7oLv4C_ks9FCGMkKqEPPE9mf

Expert Tips to Level Up Your Grind (2026)

✔ Always adjust grind based on humidity * finer on rainy days, coarser on dry days
✔ Switch grind depending on bean age * coarser for fresh beans, finer for older beans
✔ Always recalibrate when you open a new bag
✔ If a brew tastes sour, grind finer
✔ If it tastes bitter, grind coarser

Grind Size = Coffee Success

If there’s one skill every coffee lover needs in 2026, it’s learning how to match grind size with brew method. When you understand this, you can:

✔ Brew café-level coffee at home
✔ Reduce bitterness and sourness
✔ Save money on wasted beans
✔ Control flavour like a professional barista

Whether you’re serving a team, brewing at home, or running a café, the right grind size is your secret weapon.

Want personalised help choosing grind & beans?

We help households, cafés, offices & wholesalers daily.
Contact our team at Coffee Hero:
https://coffeehero.com.au/pages/wholesale?srsltid=AfmBOop_YP5vtmx4RH9pyvlTovo5vFFQGehnTgNjEZ8TuhjOvAkltrYO

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