Espresso extraction time chart

When making espresso, there are so many variables involved and numbers to remember; the grind size, the ratio of water to grinds, the weight of grinds needed, and the length of time needed to pull a shot.

When it comes to timing your shots, the big debate is whether you should start timing it when you first press the button and start the pump, or at the first drop of espresso that falls.

There are solid arguments on both sides, which we’ll lay out and review here, but in reality – neither opinion is right.

So, what’s the answer? Keep reading to find out!

The Debate: When to Start Timing Espresso Shots

When you are brewing espresso, you are showering high-pressurized hot water into finely ground espresso beans for a certain period of time.

Generally speaking, it takes between 25-35 seconds to brew a standard espresso shot.

However, the question is: when do you begin that “brewing” time frame and start counting seconds?

There are two answers to this question that are both valid, although neither gets it quite right.

how to time espresso extraction

how long should espresso pull