A Conversion Chart for the Most Popular Coffee Grinders
Coffee grinders use wildly different adjustment systems. Some use numbered dials, others use clicks, and others rely on stepless collars with no numbers at all. That makes it surprisingly difficult to answer a simple question many coffee drinkers eventually ask. If I am grinding at a certain setting on one grinder, where should I start on another?
This grinder conversion chart was created to help answer that question in a practical and transparent way. It translates grinder settings into approximate micron sizes, then maps those microns back to comparable settings across some of the most popular coffee grinders available today. The key word is approximate. This chart is not meant to replace dialing in by taste. It is meant to help you get close faster.
If you brew decaf coffee, this type of reference can be especially helpful. Decaf coffees often behave a little differently during extraction and frequently benefit from slightly finer grind settings. If you are brewing decaf or low caf coffee, you can explore our decaf collection here while keeping this chart nearby as a starting reference.
https://frequentcoffee.com/collections/decaf
What this grinder conversion chart is
This chart uses microns as the shared language between grinders. A micron is a unit of measurement that describes particle size. In coffee grinding, microns give us a way to talk about grind size without being tied to any one brand or adjustment system.
Each grinder in the chart has its own adjustment range. Some grinders move in small stepped increments. Others move in larger steps. Some allow infinite adjustment with no defined clicks. To make comparisons possible, this chart assigns an approximate micron range to each grinder and then applies a simple linear conversion across that range.
Why charts like this are so hard to create
Grinder conversion charts are difficult because coffee grinding is not a controlled laboratory process. Burr geometry, burr wear, alignment, grinder calibration, roast level, bean density, and ambient conditions all influence the final particle size. Two grinders of the same model can produce noticeably different results.
Because of this, no static chart can ever be exact. Any grinder conversion chart should be used only as a starting point for dialing in by taste.
Grinders included in this chart
Below is a list of the grinders included in the conversion chart, along with where each can be purchased.
Baratza Encore ESP
Baratza Encore
Baratza Virtuoso Plus
Niche Zero
Comandante C40
Fellow Ode Gen 2
Breville Smart Grinder Pro
DF64
Timemore C2
Mahlkonig X54
Mahlkonig EK43
How to use this chart correctly
This chart should always be treated as a starting point. Use it to get close, then adjust by taste. Small grind changes can have a large impact on extraction and flavor.
Coffee brewing is iterative by nature. This chart is a tool, not a rulebook. When used thoughtfully, it can make dialing in faster and less frustrating.
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