Portafilter Size Chart [And BONUS Tamper Sizing Guide!]

By Brooke Davis •  Updated: 11/19/20 •  5 min read

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The portafilter is one of the most crucial parts of an espresso machine. It’s the place where hot water and coffee get mixed and pressurized into a delicious espresso shot.

Portafilters are made of a variety of types that will help you control your espresso shot size.

Not only that, but they also come in different sizes, some of which are more ideal for your machine than the other.

For that reason, it’s extremely critical for you to know more about portafilters and how to find the right size for you.

In today’s article, we’ll walk you through a quick sizing guide to help you know which one to go for.

Additionally, you’ll find a portafilter size chart for a quick reference.

Portafilter Size Chart

So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

What Are the Common Portafilter Sizes?

As you now know, not all portafilters are created equal. One thing you should know is that the portafilter size is measured in millimeters (mm).

Portafilter sizes range from 49 mm all the way up to 58 mm.

Ideally, the 58 mm in diameter are the most common portafilter basket size on the market, while the other relatively rare, especially in commercial machines.

It’s regarded as a standard size for almost all high-end home espresso machines and commercial ones.

For the most part, a smaller portafilter size will usually mean a lower-priced espresso machine, although it’s not necessarily the case always.

This happens because a smaller sized portafilter usually means a lower level of flexibility when it comes to the amount of coffee grounds you can fit inside, limiting your espresso size choices.

Even if you opt for a deeper by smaller portafilter, you’ll be limited by the size of the machine itself.

Why It’s Important to Figure Out Your Portafilter Size

For the most part, portafilters don’t come with any information about their sizes. Determining the portafilter size is crucial to figure out the amount of coffee you’re dealing with, especially if you’re following a recipe.

Another reason why the portafilter size is critical for you is the espresso tamper. The tamper is the tool you use to press the ground coffee into the basket of the portafilter to keep them compact and ready for pressing.

Ideally, the tamper should be a little smaller than the basket, so it’s able to press the grounds without getting caught in the walls of the portafilter.

How to Determine Your Portafilter Size

The easiest way to identify the size of your portafilter is by using a set of measuring calipers. However, unless you’re a seasoned barista or a production engineer, chances are that you don’t have one of these around.

So, here’s an alternative and easy way to measure portafilter size to pick the right tamper for it.

For this method, you’ll use a measuring tape (preferably the retractable steel one with 1/32 inches divisions) and your smartphone for calculations. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Measure the portafilter across the diameter (the centerline).
  2. Change your reading to a decimal unit. You can simply do this by typing your measurements. For example (type 2 1/3 to get 2.33)
  3. Convert the inches to millimeters by multiplying by 25.4 (2.33 x 25.4 = 59.18 mm)
  4. Get a tamper that’s 0.75 mm smaller by subtracting (59.18 – 0.75 = 58.43 mm)

Tamper sizes are usually standardized to a whole number. For that reason, you’ll need to round up your final number to the lower approximation.

In the example’s case, this means 58 mm, so you will have to get a 58 mm tamper for your portafilter, the most common size in that case.

A Reference Portafilter Size Chart for Espresso Tamper Sizes

Whether you’re unable to find your portafilter size for your machine, unsure about your measurements, or in a hurry, this section has got you covered!

In the following chart, you’ll find a brief list of some of the ideal tamper sizes for the most common domestic and commercial espresso machines in the market:

Model NameIdeal Tamper Size
Astra56 mm
Azkoyen58 mm
Ascaso57 mm
Aurora56 mm
Astoria58 mm
Bodum Granos51 mm
Bunn58 mm
Breville 800 Series51 mm
Bezzera58 mm
Brasilia58 mm
Breville Express and Infuser53 mm
New Breville Models58 mm
Conti58 mm
Cuisinart51 mm
Cimbali JuniorDT158 mm
Cimbali Casa57 mm or 58 mm (varies per model)
Caramali58 mm
Delonghi (old models)49 mm
Delonghi (new models)51 mm
ECM Botticelli58 mm
Elektra (Home and Commercial Models)58 mm
ECM Commercial Models58 mm
ECM Cellini58 mm
ECM Giotto58 mm
Espressione Cafe Retro58 mm
Estro53 mm
Expobar58 mm
Espressione Caffe Novecento53 mm
Faema53 mm
Fiorenzato58 mm
Francis!Francis New Version56 mm
Francis!Francis Old Version57 mm
Futurmat58 mm
Grimac58 mm
Gaggia Classic58 mm
Gaggia Semi-Auto58 mm
Gaggia Factory Lever51 mm
Isomac58 mm
Innova57 mm
Kitchenaid Proline58 mm
La Pavoni Napolitana57 mm
La Pavoni lever51 mm
La Scala58 mm
La Pavoni Lusso53 mm
La Riviera45 mm
La Spaziale commercial models53 mm
La Spaziale home models52 mm
La Valentina58 mm
Mokita55 mm
Mypressi Twist53 mm
Nuova Simonelli (Appia, Grinta, and Oscar)58 mm
Olympia Cremina49 mm
Olympia Club49 mm
Olympia Express49 mm
Olympia Cremina49 mm
Pasquini Livietta58 mm
Quick Mill58 mm
Rancilio Silvia58 mm
Rancilio Espresso58 mm
Reneka56 mm
Saeco53 mm
Solis53 mm
Starbucks Barista52 mm

Wrap Up

With that said, you now have a detailed portafilter size chart as well as a sizing guide to help you pick the ideal portafilter for a delicious shot of espresso!

While measuring your espresso portafilter to pick a tamper, remember that a basket with ridges that face inwards will decrease the space available for a tamper.

This means that you’ll need to go for a smaller size.

However, if you’re unsure about the sizing of your portafilter, you can refer to the table provided above for an easier picking process.

Brooke Davis

Hi everyone, my name is Brooke and I’m a Barista and freelance writer. I love brewing coffee and my favorite coffee drink is without doubt an Americano (espresso with added hot water). When I’m not busy making or writing about coffee you’ll find me hanging out at the beach with friends in California where I am currently residing. Follow me on: Linkedin

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