Quick answer
For a standard V60 dripper, match the filter paper to the dripper's size number (01, 02, or 03) and rinse it with hot water before brewing. Use a medium-fine grind, pour in slow circles, and keep the water level below the rim. If you're unsure which paper to buy, start with a size 02 natural brown paper and adjust your grind before changing anything else.
Match the paper size to your V60 dripper
V60 papers are labeled by size number, and the number must match the dripper's size. A size 01 paper fits a 01 dripper and brews roughly one cup. A 02 paper fits a 02 dripper and handles one to four cups. A 03 paper fits a 03 dripper and is meant for larger batches. If you fold or force a paper into the wrong dripper, the paper can collapse against the wall and slow the drawdown, which makes the coffee taste muddy. Check the number printed on the bottom of your dripper or on its original packaging before ordering papers.
Choose paper or metal—and know what changes
Paper filters trap more oils and fine particles than metal filters, which gives a cleaner, brighter cup with no sediment. Metal filters let more oils through, so the body is heavier and the flavor can be rounder, but you will notice more texture and sometimes a slight grit. There is no universally better choice; it depends on whether you want clarity or richness. If you drink light-roasted coffee and want to taste its fruit or floral notes, paper is usually the easier starting point. If you prefer a heavier, more robust cup, a metal filter may suit you better.
Dial in the grind size before you change anything else
Grind size controls how fast water moves through the coffee bed. Too coarse and the water runs through quickly, leaving the cup thin and sour. Too fine and the flow stalls, making the coffee bitter and harsh. Start with a medium-fine grind—similar to table salt—and adjust in small steps. If the brew finishes in under two minutes, go finer. If it takes longer than four minutes or the bed looks muddy, go coarser. Change only one variable at a time so you can tell what actually made the difference.
Rinse the paper and preheat the dripper
Place the paper in the dripper and pour hot water through it until the paper is fully wet. This removes any papery taste and warms the dripper and your cup. Discard the rinse water before adding coffee. Skipping this step is a common reason a first cup tastes flat or slightly cardboard-like, especially with unbleached papers.
Keep the water temperature and pour steady
Water just off the boil—around 90–96°C (194–205°F)—works for most V60 brews. Pour in slow, controlled circles, starting at the center and spiraling outward without hitting the paper directly. Keep the water level below the dripper's rim and let the bed settle between pours. A gooseneck kettle makes this far easier because you can control the flow. If you pour too fast, the water bypasses the coffee and the cup tastes weak.
Step-by-step V60 pour-over routine
- 1. Rinse the paper and preheat: Place the V60 paper in the dripper, pour hot water through it, and discard the water. This removes paper taste and warms the dripper and cup. Checkpoint: the paper should be fully saturated and the dripper warm to the touch.
- 2. Add coffee and level the bed: Add medium-fine ground coffee—about 15 g for a 250 ml cup—and shake gently to level the bed. A level bed helps water flow evenly. Mistake to avoid: a mound of coffee in the center causes uneven extraction.
- 3. Bloom with a small pour: Pour about twice the coffee's weight in hot water (around 30 g) and wait 30–45 seconds. The coffee will bubble and expand as it releases gas. Checkpoint: if there are no bubbles, the coffee may be stale or the water too cool.
- 4. Pour in slow circles: Pour in a steady spiral from the center outward, keeping the water level below the rim. Aim to finish the pour in about two to three minutes total. Mistake to avoid: pouring directly onto the paper instead of the coffee bed.
- 5. Let it draw down and serve: Stop pouring when you reach your target weight. Let the remaining water drain through, then remove the dripper and serve. Checkpoint: the total brew time should be around 2:30–3:30. If it's much faster or slower, adjust your grind next time.
Products that fit this routine
- V60 Brown Filter Papers 100 Pack: Natural brown V60 filter papers crafted for clean, smooth extraction. Their unbleached texture preserves flavour purity, ensuring a bright, sediment-free pour-over with every brew. Unbleached papers are a good match if you want a clean cup without the papery taste that poorly rinsed filters can add. The brown color is a visual cue that they are unbleached, and they are designed for the V60's conical shape.
