Alagnaf Coffee
Coffee grind settings by number: why there is no universal setting
A grinder number is not a universal measurement. Setting 5 can mean very different things on two grinders, so start with your grinder model and brewing method, then dial in rather than copying a number from another machine.
PublishedShort answer: grinder numbers belong to that grinder
Numbered scales differ between manufacturers and even between models from the same manufacturer. Baratza, for example, describes Encore ESP settings 1–20 as its espresso range and 21–40 for filter-style brewing, while De’Longhi explains on some grinders that 1 is finer and 7 is coarser. A setting of 4 therefore cannot mean the same grind on every machine.
Treat the number as an internal reference you can repeat on your own grinder. When a setting works, record the grinder model, number, brew method and coffee rather than saving the number alone.
Why numbered scales do not translate directly
The number controls that grinder’s own adjustment mechanism. One grinder may have fixed steps, another a dual-range system, and another separate macro and micro adjustments. The number of steps and the burr movement per step are not standardized.
Even within one brand, different products can use different systems. That is enough to rule out a reliable universal conversion table from grinder number to brew method.
How to connect a number to your brewing method
Start with the manufacturer’s manual or grind chart for your exact model, choose the range intended for your brewer, then adjust one or a few steps at a time and record the result. Do not start from a number copied from a video using another grinder.
| Brewing method | Grind target | How to use the number |
|---|---|---|
| Turkish coffee / cezve | Very fine, powder-like grind | First confirm that the grinder can reach this range; do not assume an espresso number is fine enough. |
| Espresso | Fine, with precise adjustment for flow | Start in the manufacturer’s espresso range and dial in around your machine and dose. |
| Filter / drip | Usually medium | Start in the maker’s filter range, then adjust around drawdown and taste. |
| French press | Usually coarser than filter | Move into the coarser range recommended for your grinder rather than copying another model’s number. |
De’Longhi example: the model matters
De’Longhi guidance for some grinders uses 1 for finer and 7 for coarser, with one-notch adjustments while the grinder is running. That is useful guidance for that system, not a universal numbered scale.
Other De’Longhi products use different ranges and recommendations, so the brand name alone is not enough either. Use the manual for the exact model, especially when the grinder is integrated into an espresso machine.
Baratza example: setting 20 only has meaning on a named grinder
Baratza states that Encore ESP uses 1–20 as its higher-resolution espresso range and 21–40 for filter, French press or cold brew. Other Baratza models use different scales or macro and micro controls. The useful part is the grinder name plus the setting, not the number by itself.
What transfers between grinders is the method: begin in the maker’s recommended range, make a small adjustment, observe the brew, and record the setting that worked.
For Turkish coffee, check capability before looking for a number
Turkish coffee calls for a very fine powder-like grind, and some home grinders designed mainly for filter coffee may not be suitable. Check the manufacturer’s specification before buying a grinder or relying on its numbered dial for cezve brewing.
When ordering ground coffee from Alagnaf, tell us that you use a cezve for Turkish coffee. Naming the brewer is clearer than asking for “setting 2” or simply “fine” without a shared grinder reference.
How to record a setting that worked
Write down four things together: grinder brand and model, grind number, brewing method, and coffee or blend. For espresso, add the dose and shot time if you track them; for a cezve, record coffee, water and cup count.
When beans, roast or equipment change, use the old number as a starting point rather than a universal answer. The purpose of the record is repeatability on your setup.